Walking advice

Although walking in the Chilterns is not an unduly arduous pastime it is worth wearing walking boots or Wellingtons in winter months and stout shoes in summer; some paths do get very muddy and it has been known to rain here! So it’s a good idea to take an anorak unless the weather is really settled. Most important is to take food and drink unless you have a particular eating-place in mind; despite the large number of pubs in the area you can undertake a long walk and not encounter one.

Unless you are walking in a familiar area please take a map, preferably one that is up to date; features change, roads are re-aligned, pubs close and paths are diverted. With a current map you can navigate with confidence.

For a detailed explanation of where you can go and your responsibilities please visit www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk. In summary walkers are entitled to use public footpaths, bridleways and byways (collectively known as rights of way). They are shown on both Ordnance Survey and Chiltern Society maps and are signed where they leave roads and are often waymarked with circular disks and occasionally with white arrows (a Chiltern Society “trademark”). You are also allowed to walk on permissive paths (often signed as such) and on Woodland Trust land, National Trust countryside, some Forestry Commission woodland and many municipal amenity sites. From 2005/6 you will be able to roam on common land and downland; see publicity and access signs in due course.

If you encounter an obstruction on a right of way you are entitled to go round it, preferably keeping to land apparently in the same ownership. Alternatively, you may remove so much of the obstruction as is necessary for you to pass through; before using this remedy please be sure you are on a right of way. Please also report any problems on public paths to the relevant local authority, see contact details below.

Bedfordshire CC
Cauldwell Street, Bedford MK42 9AP
01234 363222

Luton BC
Town Hall, Luton, Beds LU1 2EQ
01582 547180

Hertfordshire CC (excluding Dacorum)
County Hall, Hertford SG13 8DN
01992 555235

Dacorum BC
Civic Centre, Marlowes, Hemel Hempstead HP1 1HH
01442 228356

Bucks CC
(Wycombe, Chiltern and South Bucks)
Easton Street, High Wycombe HP11 1NH
01494 475315

Bucks CC
(Aylesbury Vale)
Winslow Centre, Park Road, Winslow MK18 3RB
01296 383400

Oxon CC
Holton, Oxford OX33 1QQ
01865 810226