Venue: Amersham

Photos for Chess Valley Tour

Videos for Chess Valley Tour

Comments and ratings for Chess Valley Tour

Chess Valley Tour

This is a straightforward but attractive route through local woods and farmland that makes in ideal easy ride for those new to mountain biking, or a perfect short ride at the end of the day. It is based around the attractive Chess valley. The river Chess gives its name to local Chesham and is a rare chalk stream.

The trails can be very muddy and hard going when wet and this should be taken into consideration when calculating the route time. After a long straight bridalway out to Chenies, the route drops into the Chess valley before climbing through the woods to Flaunden. Woodland and farm trails then drop you into Chesham before a long climb returns you back to Amersham. There is little technical difficulty except for the descent down Flaunden Hill which is steep, loose and stepped.

From the station take the minor roads to Raans farm.
1. Go along the track and follow the BW crossing two roads keeping to the top of the woods until you reach Chenies Manor.
2. Go through the gate and round the manor dropping down the hill on road and turning R at the bottom to go over the river.
3. Take care not to miss the turn L through the gate and farm courtyard to ride alongside the stream.
4. Go R up the hill. Can be very muddy.
5. A steep descent to the road at the bottom of the hill. The BW is stepped and the trail gets steeper and loose at the bottom making braking difficult.
6. As the road turns R, go L up on a sharp climb up a farm track.
7. The trail goes R up a farm track and then along the LHS of the hedge.
8. Cross the grass field taking an indistinct BW.
9. As you exit the field, watch the turn R then L to take a lovely descent into Waterside.
10. Turn R under the railway bridge for a long climb up the BW to Amersham and then follow the main road back to the Station.

Photos for Pednor Round

Videos for Pednor Round

Comments and ratings for Pednor Round

I have done this route 5 times in the last three weeks since I discovered it here. It is such a wonderful way to pass 75 minutes. Wonderful fast tunnels of trees, bluebells, big swooping paths, valley... read whole comment... lumos gave this trail 5 stars about 3 years ago

Pednor Round

This route has an enjoyable combination of woodland singletrack and bridleway linked up with short sections of (mainly) minor road. With steady hills it will appeal to less experienced riders. The trails can get very muddy after rain, especially in the Chesham area where horses chop the trail surface making it difficult to ride.

The trails head out from Amersham through the woods to Hyde Heath and then minor roads and trails take you to Ballinger and the Lee before winding their way back to Pednor. From the pub, a long bridalway climbs out of the valley back to Hyde Heath where you retrace your steps.

Those mountain bikers who like to mix a pint with their riding should drop in on the excellent Queens Head in Pednor but remind themselves that these is a long climb out of the valley after they have finished in the pub!

From Amersham Station.
1. Access over the field is via a footpath but is regularly used by bikers to get to Weedon Hill Woods. You should check access rights with the landowner. Alternatively carry on along Copperkins lane to join the route at...
2. Carry on along the BW through Lotts Wood, an occasional venue for MTB racing.
3. Although mapped as a FP, in fact this is an old lane.
4. L at the junction to go up the hill to Ballinger.
5. L at the cricket ground. There is a gate at the bottom of the decent.
6. This is a FP through the woods but used as a permissive cycle path. You may want to check with the landowner. There is a stile to cross at the end.
7. Sharp L down the short, steep and loose descent.
8. Take care on this steep section of road. The trail goes sharp L at the bottom through the gate.
9. The Queens Head.
10. L off the road to climb up a long BW
11. Rejoin your outward trail retracing your steps.

Photos for Summit 65 full course

Videos for Summit 65 full course

Comments and ratings for Summit 65 full course

Summit 65 full course

65 km ride around the rolling Chiltern hills