Ridgeway40 - A 40 mile walk between Avebury Wiltshire to Streatley in Berkshire UK

Can you rise to the 40 mile challenge?

Long Distance Challenge Walks

Next Event Date -> Saturday 9th May 2026 - entries now open!

About This Event
The Ridgeway 40 is part of a wider tradition of challenge walks held across the UK, each varying in length and terrain. These events typically follow cross-country routes, making use of public rights of way and accessible open land. Participants are expected to adhere to the course outlined by the organisers, and those who complete the walk within the designated time frame—according to the event’s rules—are usually awarded a certificate of achievement.

Generally, long distance challenge walk organisers will provide the following:-

Checkpoints to monitor the progress of walkers
Sustenance at checkpoints, which could include water, squash and food
Fist Aid kit is available at the check points
Route map or written description to enable walkers to follow the designated route (the Ridgeway Walk map is downloadable from this web site).
A certificate for all entrants who complete the walk in the specified time
Commemorative badges are for sale (see the various types)

History and Heritage of the Ridgeway Walk

Many of the UK’s long-distance challenge walks trace their roots to the Youth Hostels Association (YHA), and the Ridgeway Walk is no exception. First held in 1962, it was organised by the Reading and District Local Group of the YHA as a linear route linking the Marlborough and Streatley hostels.

Although the Marlborough hostel closed in 1966, the walk has maintained its connection with Streatley. Today, it remains a linear event: most participants travel by coach to the starting point at Avebury, with the finish line in Streatley.

Originally conceived to promote interest in the hostels and their surrounding countryside, the walk continues to honour that mission—especially in its ongoing relationship with Streatley hostel and the ancient Ridgeway path.

West of Streatley, the Ridgeway is considered one of Europe’s oldest roads. Its age is debated: some theories suggest it dates back 300,000 years, while others propose continuous use for at least 6,000 years.

Traversing the chalk downlands of Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, and Berkshire, the Ridgeway follows high ground and passes remarkable historical sites. These include Bronze Age burial mounds (tumuli), Iron Age hill forts like Barbury Castle and Liddington, and the Neolithic tomb known as Wayland Smithy—named after a Saxon god but already ancient when the Saxons arrived.

Midway along the walk lies Uffington Castle hill fort and the iconic White Horse hill figure. Though its exact age is uncertain, the White Horse may be up to 3,000 years old, making it the oldest surviving horse figure in Britain and the largest of all white horses. While not visible from the Ridgeway itself, its stylised design has become the enduring symbol of the Ridgeway Walk.

Ready to Take on the Ridgeway Walk?

You can register online and make a secure payment through the SiEntries platform, accessible via the Entry Form page on this website. You'll also find full details about the walk, including its history and practical information to help you prepare.

Interested in exploring other challenge walks across the UK? Visit the Long Distance Walkers Association at www.ldwa.org.uk for a comprehensive list of events and resources.

Next Event Date
Saturday 9th May 2026
Entries now open!