Long-distance paths in Oxfordshire
The number and variety of long distance paths in the County seems to be constantly increasing. Here are the principal ones.
The Green Belt Way, encircles Oxford, taking in many of the villages which once serviced the city and the University, providing building materials, food and services such as washing linen.
Several long distance footpaths criss-cross the county. To the south lie the ancient The Ridgeway National Trail, along which King Alfred marched with his troops to defeat the Danes, and the even more ancient Icknield Way, pobably the oldest road in Britain. There's the Oxfordshire Way, which runs from Bourton on the Water to Henley; the D'Arcy Dalton Way which begins on Oxford Canal towpath and joins the Ridgeway; and the Roman Way which traces the forgotten roads built by the Roman legions. The Wychwood Way is a circular route through the ancient Royal Forest of Wychwood, in the west. The Chiltern Way extension is a circular route through some of south Oxfordshire's prettiest countryside.
Shakespeare's Way traces the route the playwright might have taken from his home at Stratford to The Globe Theatre in London. It traverses Oxfordshire, from Chipping Norton to Hambledon.
You can also follow the Thames Path National Trail from its source in the Cotswolds to central London, or walk up the Oxford Canal to Coventry and beyond.
If these are insufficiently challenging, you might tackle the European walking route E2 which includes parts of the Oxfordshire Way, the Oxford Canal and the Thames Path. It's a 4850 km long-distance footpath that runs from Galway in Ireland to France's Mediterranean coast, via Scotland, England, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and France.
For information on public transport to and from points on the Oxfordshire walks, visit the Oxfordshire County Council website.
Book your en route accommodation now and put your feet up at the end of the day!
Walking in Oxford
Suggested walks around the city, with free downloads of circular walks and routes to Oxford's Town Green sites
Walking in Oxfordshire
Information on the public paths and bridleways connecting market towns and villages
