The London-based hiking group for people in their 20s - 30s.
THIS WALK REQUIRES BOOKING VIA MEETUP – please follow the link below and click 'attend'.
https://www.meetup.com/metropolitan-walkers/events/307735506/
The return of the Met Walkers night walk, this time in new surroundings on the Ridgeway.
Leaving the picturesque banks of the Thames in Saturday's evening light, we'll head towards the setting sun, climbing very gradually along the ridge. We'll follow it through the night, which if it's clear should see moonlight pick out the chalk path and the way ahead.
Numerous ancient sites nearby attest to the history of this route - perhaps as much as 5,000 years. This though is its most isolated stretch, with no gaps in the ridge and so no villages the whole way.
By the time the first colour shows through on the eastern horizon behind us, the path's surroundings will be opening out too. That should culminate as Sunday dawns over the walk's highest point and the Uffington White Horse. We'll plan to wait a while there to watch the sunrise, with views across six counties, the Cotswolds and the Chilterns.
We then have a brief descent to join the final stretch to the other side of the Vale floor. From there, a regular bus schedule (even early on a Sunday morning) runs to Oxford and a well-earned hearty breakfast.
The walk will not be particularly fast (there's no point arriving before the possibility of transport/breakfast!). The Ridgeway is undulating but without any particularly steep ascents.
No previous experience of night walks is necessary. However, this is still a long walk at unsociable hours with no realistic drop-out except a long taxi ride. It is therefore only suitable for those who know they are comfortable with strenuous day walks.
Optional pub stop at start of walk (!), please bring plenty of water and snacks, layers in case of a chilly night, and a torch (preferably a head torch) plus a spare battery/torch. The Ridgeway surface is generally quite hard underfoot, so ensure footwear is appropriate for that.
We'll aim to make the first bus, arriving at Oxford station just before 8:00am, but timings depend on our progress so are not guaranteed of course. On previous night walks, those who stay for breakfast have caught a train around 10am.
Leader will attempt to make bookings for a pub dinner in Goring and cafe breakfast in Oxford (venues TBC). Please message leader if you would like to be included in either or both of those bookings.
(Photo from https://mobile.x.com/thorneh/status/1747334286582112522 , credit Hedley Thorne.)
Terrain: Hills, fields, lanes.
Travel: Leader will meet the 20:05 arrival at Goring & Streatley station (dep. 19:08 from Paddington) for a prompt start to the walk.
Earlier arrivals will find food and drink options in Goring, but please allow plenty of time for this. Leader plans to be on the 18:06 arrival (dep. 17:08 from Paddington) and will arrange a separate meeting point for those joining the same dinner booking.
Buy return to Oxford (check validity carefully and do not buy a day return!)
Goring & Streatley Station
Longcot Turn (opposite) bus stop, for S6 to Oxford station
