Newsletter
- Editorial
- Letters
- Lee Common School
- Cricket club
- The Lee W.I.
- Revd David Burgess
- Reina's Nature
- Parish Clerk
- Star gazer
- Cycle ride
- Leeside Nursery
and more...
No 11: Wendover Woods
By Rudi Kalveks
These Forestry Commission woods sport a number of cycle routes which are generally in good condition, even through the autumn. The woods include the highest point in the Chilterns and there are several vantage points with good views over the surrounding valleys and the Vale of Aylesbury. This route accesses Wendover Woods from Hale Lane, with the outward leg via Kings Ash and the return via The Hale and Swan Bottom. The route also works well in reverse.
Route-finding:
- Start at the Cock
and Rabbit PH. Take the road past Pipers and turn right into Kings Lane.
- On reaching Kings
Ash turn left into Chesham Lane and then after 100 yards right onto the track
towards Concord. The track forks just before Concord with the bridleway
signed, “Cycles slow” on the left. The top section can be muddy and parts
of this descent are quite steep and can be rutted. Continue straight on
past Boswells.
- Upon reaching the
Wendover road system turn right and then after 200 yards right again into
Hale Lane signed ‘Icknield Way’.
- After a short climb
enter Wendover Woods on your left by a green cycle sign and continue climbing,
ignoring the first turning immediately to your left. You will be following
green cycle signs throughout the woods.
- After a climb you
reach a junction. Follow the green cycle sign linking to the marked cycle
path to your left.
- At a gate at the
top of the hill, bear slightly left and continue on the marked cycle path
past a second gate.
- At a fork in the
path keep right and continue. Stop at the viewpoint!
- At a second fork
in the path turn sharp right uphill, following the green cycle signs. A
short steep climb follows.
- On reaching a surfaced
road, turn right and follow the road, which bends around the picnic area
on your left.
- Just past the picnic
area, turn off the exit road onto a track on your right marked ‘Family Cycle
Trail’.
- Follow this
track for about a mile, ignoring turnings downhill to your right, until you
reach a crossroads. The cycle path only goes right downhill here. Mind your
speed.
- At the bottom of
the hill cross over a track and climb back up the other side.
- Near the top of the
hill turn sharp left at a junction and continue on the marked cycle path.
This soon descends downhill. Continue downhill keeping left past the junction
(marked as 5 above).
- On reaching Hale
Lane, turn left and follow the lane past The Hale and up the 1 in 7 hill.
- Descend on the lane
passing Taylors Lane on your left.
- At the junction by
a grass triangle turn right uphill, signposted to The Lee - 2 miles.
- Follow the lane through Swan Bottom and then continue straight over the cross roads with Chesham Lane to return to The Lee.
Three main climbs of 400 ft and 200ft through Wendover Woods and 200ft past The Hale. Allow 1 ½ hours.
Don’t forget: Helmet, puncture repair kit, water, go slow for horses.
Recommended: 1:25,000 O/S Map: Chiltern Hills North - Explorer 181.
Good cycling!