A guidebook to 35 day walks in the Chiltern Hills. Lying within reach of London, the spectacular Chilterns AONB extends across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, and with routes in the guidebook covering the whole region, there's something for beginner and experienced walkers alike.

The walks range in length from 6?19km (4?12 miles) and take between 2 and 6 hours to complete, perfect for either a short stroll or a full day out.

• 1:50,000 OS maps reproduced at 1:40,000 for greater clarity included for each walk
• Sized to easily fit in a jacket pocket
• GPX files available to download
• Detailed information on refreshments and public transport for each walk
• Local points of interest are featured including Ivanhoe Beacon

Steve Davison is a writer and photographer who has written a number of walking guidebooks. He has also written articles for a range of outdoor magazines and other publications, including local and national newspapers. He specialises in hill walking and European travel, with interests in nature, geology and the countryside. A keen hill walker for many years and a Mountain Leader, Steve has also worked as a part-time outdoor education instructor. He is also a member of the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild.

This guidebook describes 35 varied day walks in the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in southern England, which stretches through Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire. The routes range from 4 to 12 miles and cover fairly low-level terrain, and although some have several, sometimes steep, climbs and descents, they should be suitable for most walkers. The walks take you on a journey through this classic Chiltern landscape that has been shaped by human activity for thousands of years, visiting interesting historic sites, colourful gardens and picture-postcard villages with thatched cottages, fascinating churches and cosy pubs. Step-by-step route directions include lots of information about all these sites along the way, and are illustrated with clear OS mapping and vibrant photographs. There is also information on the region's rich geology, history and plantlife, as well as advice on accommodation, transport and refreshments. The Chiltern Hills follow a line of chalk from the River Thames at Goring up to the Barton Hills just west of Hitchin, boasting great views from the north west edge and, on the south east side, a more intimate undulating landscape of rounded hills and valleys, covered in a mix of broadleaved woodland and open farmland. Despite its relative proximity to London, the region abounds in peace and tranquility, making it an idyllic destination for a day's walk in the countryside.

Map key Overview map Introduction Geology Plants and wildlife Brief history Where to stay Getting to and around the Chilterns Food and drink Walking in the Chilterns Maps Waymarking, access and rights of way Using this guide 1 North of Luton Walk 1 Harlington and Sharpenhoe Clappers Walk 2 Barton-le-Clay, Hexton and Barton Hills Walk 3 Pirton and Pegsdon Hills 2 Dunstable to Berkhamsted Walk 4 Whipsnade, Studham and the Dunstable Downs Walk 5 Ivinghoe Beacon, Ivinghoe and Pitstone Walk 6 Grand Union Canal, Pitstone Hill and Aldbury Walk 7 Grand Union Canal and Tring Park Walk 8 Great Gaddesden Walk 9 Berkhamsted, Nettleden and Little Gaddesden 3 Wendover to Stokenchurch Walk 10 Cholesbury and Hawridge Walk 11 Wendover and The Lee Walk 12 Wendover, Ellesborough, Chequers and Coombe Hill Walk 13 Whiteleaf Hill and Great Kimble Walk 14 Bledlow and Radnage Walk 15 Lacey Green, Speen and Bryant's Bottom Walk 16 Great Hampden Walk 17 Great Missenden and Chartridge 4 Amersham to High Wycombe Walk 18 Chenies, Latimer and the River Chess Walk 19 Little Missenden, Penn Wood and Penn Street Walk 20 Hughenden, Bradenham and West Wycombe Walk 21 Penn and Coleshill 5 Watlington and Nettlebed Walk 22 Christmas Common and Watlington Hill Walk 23 Turville, Skirmett and Fingest Walk 24 Pishill and Stonor Walk 25 Pishill, Cookley Green and Russell's Water Walk 26 Ewelme and Swyncombe Walk 27 Checkendon and Stoke Row Walk 28 Hailey and Grim's Ditch Walk 29 Nettlebed and Nuffield Walk 30 Greys Green, Rotherfield Greys and Greys Court 6 Along the Thames Walk 31 Hambleden, Medmenham and the River Thames Walk 32 Henley-on-Thames and Middle Assendon Walk 33 South and North Stoke and Grim's Ditch Walk 34 Goring-on-Thames and Cray's Pond Walk 35 Whitchurch Hill and Mapledurham Appendix A Route summary table Appendix B Useful contacts