About the Walk and General Information
THE ROUTE: 40 miles across the chalk downs between
Avebury Sports and Social Club Grid Ref (GR: SU102697, post code SN8
1RD), and the Morrell Room, Church Lane, Streatley, RG8 9HT.
The route from the Avebury Sports Club goes up Avebury High street
and then the Hare Path, to join the Ridgeway proper at the top of
the hill.
Apart from a slight variation between Barbury Castle and Whitefield
Hill, the route follows the ancient track known as the Ridgeway and
way-marked as the Ridgeway. Ordnance Survey maps 173 and 174
(1:50,000 series) cover the walk.
THE OBJECT: is to complete the 40-mile route on
foot in one go. The walk is not a race although entrants in the walk
can run if they wish.
CHECK CARDS: This event uses a small computer chip attached
to a card containing your unique Participant Number, which you will
receive when you enter on the SiEntries system. The check cards will
be given out at the start in Avebury Sports and Social Hall. Please
attach this securely to your rucksack by a length of string so it
can easily be scanned at each of the Checkpoints by a marshal. When
you leave the Avebury Hall, you must have your check card scanned by
a marshal. This records you starting the walk and the time you
start. At each Checkpoint your check card must be scanned to record
your progress along the route. At the finish you MUST hand your
check card in for scanning to record the time you finish.
CHECKPOINT INFORMATION AND MAPS: Checkpoint
information, the route map and Streatley street map can all be
downloaded from our
MAP page. Harvey’s
Ridgeway National Trail map, which is waterproof, also covers the
route in strip map form.
EVERY ENTRANT Every entrant should carry a plastic
mug, drinking water bottle or similar.
YOU ARE ADVISED TO TAKE WITH YOU: Some food and
drink, maps, torch, compass, first aid kit, a high factor sun tan
cream, appropriate footwear and protective clothing (NB the Ridgeway
is very exposed and it can get very cold if it rains and / or is
windy so please ensure that you have suitable attire). Also ensure
that you carry suitable coinage for a payphone, unless you have a
mobile phone with credit and a charged battery.
FACILITIES AND REFRESHMENTS: There are public toilets at
Barbury Castle (half way between the start and CP1), from hence
there are no public toilets, shops or places to eat on the route.
However, it is planned to have mobile toilets at CP2, CP4 and CP5.
There are water points at 17 miles (Idstone Barn, GR 264835, about a
mile beyond Ridgeway Farm) and a few hundred yards before the B4001
road (23 miles). Although you are advised to carry food and drink
with you, the entry fee includes light refreshments at most CPs; tea
may be provided at one CP and water and squash at all other CPs
except the start. Drinks and a food snack bag are provided at the
finish.
INJURY OR LOSS: Participation is entirely at the entrant's risk
CERTIFICATES, RESULTS, BADGES AND AWARDS:Individual
electronic certificates will be emailed to all those who complete
the walk. The results and walk report will be available for download
from this website as soon as practical after the walk. Badges will
be on sale for £2 each (cash only) at the finish and there are
various other badges and awards for walkers who have successfully
completed more than one Ridgeway Walk. These must be collected at
the finish and before you leave as they will not be sent to you.
TRANSPORT: Coaches will leave from outside Streatley YH for
the start at 06.45am prompt. The cost of a seat is listed on the
Entry Form. If you need a seat,
please book by the deadline shown on the entry form (deadline will
be strictly adhered to). Early application is advisable as a sudden
rush of bookings near the deadline may mean that we cannot hire
coaches with enough capacity to provide seats for all who want them.
Anyone failing to secure a seat will have to make their own way to
the start.
PARKING (Start and Finish): There is parking at the Avebury
Sports Club at the start of the walk but if you take this option,
please ensure that you will be able to make you own way back to the
start from the finish. We can't provide return transport if you
decide upon for this option.
At the end of the walk there is no parking at the Finish point, but
there are public car parks within a mile and in nearby streets. A
map of the area showing the location of parking, etc is available
for download, see our MAP page for more information. Please do not
park in any pub car park unless you have the landlord's permission.
Wherever you decided to park, please observe the Highway Code and do
not park in front of driveways or opposite other parked vehicles.
ACCOMMODATION: Ridgeway walkers, whether or not
they are members of the YHA, can stay overnight at Streatley YH. See
our
accommodation page for further
details of youth hostel details and charges. Early booking is
advisable as the hostel has only 48 beds, some of which have to be
reserved for marshals