The Lee off-road cycle tours no. 13:Tring and Dancers End
By Rudi Kalveks
The hills above Tring offer a delightful selection of steep bridleways and byways, with interesting descents and challenging climbs. This route follows one such descent through Pavis Wood, but takes the easy way back along the lane through Dancers End, with a small detour through Lordling Wood and Kings Ash to finish. A little muddy in places at times, but turned out to be just the thing for a wet Sunday morning.
Route Finding:
- Start at the Cock and Rabbit PH. Leave the green taking the lane past the church.
- Go straight across the crossroads towards Swan Bottom.
- At grass triangle continue right to St Leonards.
- At St Leonards cross the road into Gilberts Hill.
- Turn right onto Bottom Road towards Buckland Common.
- Take hairpin left turn into Little Twye Road, which becomes a bridleway (muddy in places).
- Take care exiting from wood and turning left into Shire Lane.
- At the top of Shire Lane go straight ahead between metal posts onto a bridleway. Follow the main route for along bumpy descent.
- Cross Duckmore Lane to continue on the bridleway.
- Take the bridge across the A41 and turn right onto the Aylesbury Road towards Tring.
- After the allotments, turn right into Duckmore Lane.
- Turn left at Dancers End House and follow lane past the old pumping station for a stiff climb up to the radio mast.
- After downhill stretch past Leylands Farm, turn right up Gilberts Hill and retrace route towards Swan Bottom.
- At sharp left bend in lane shortly before Bruns Grange, continue straight ahead to take a bridleway past Field Cottage and into Lordling Wood. Turn right into Chesham Road at the end of the bridleway.
- At Kings Ash, turn left into Kings Lane.
- Left at Hunts Green back to The Lee.
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!