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A line of walkers climb up the dry glassy slopes of a deep glacial combe, which has small trees and bushes on its floor, at Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire
Walkers climb out of Incombe Hole on the Ashridge Estate in Hertfordshire, formed in the last Glacial period | © National Trust Images/Hugh Mothersole
Essex, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire

Ashridge Estate Boundary Trail - North

This circular walk includes some of the outstanding features of the northern half of the estate, including Ivinghoe Beacon, Incombe Hole, ancient woodlands and dramatic scenery. For this route, follow the Boundary Trail circular white signs, with green arrows pointing you in the right direction. You can complete the entire Boundary Trail by combining with the Ashridge Boundary Trail - South for a full day's walk. Please allow plenty of time to pause and enjoy the scenery.

Safety around deer

You may see wild fallow and muntjac deer, so please keep dogs under control. Fallow deer roam in groups, while muntjac tend to be solitary.

Total steps: 8

Total steps: 8

Start point

Ashridge Estate visitor centre by Bridgewater Monument, grid ref: SP970130

Step 1

From the Visitor Centre, head past the Bridgewater Monument to the start of the nearby major track (Duncombe Terrace). Here you will find a post marking the start of the trail.

A single-storey wooden lodge building with a chimney, surrounded by tall green trees, at Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire
An old shooting lodge at Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire | © National Trust/Bee Saville

Step 2

About 150 metres along Duncombe Terrace by a seat, turn left and then proceed downhill. Pass through stables and then, taking care, cross a road, then proceed alongside a small wood then a golf course, both on your left hand side.

Step 3

Turn right into the woods at Albury Nowers by the sign to the 6th and 16th tees then join the Ridgeway Trail at the steps to your right. Proceed towards Pitstone Hill, eventually arriving at a small car park.

Step 4

Taking care to listen for oncoming traffic, cross the road (Icknield way) and continue, soon climbing back up to the ridge and through a gate onto a major track that eventually goes down steps to a road. Follow the signs and arrive at Ivinghoe Beacon.

Step 5

Head east along the ridge and just before a tumulus turn right and go downhill. Turn right at the bottom on a track running through agricultural fields, out onto the grassland and into a wood (the Coombe), at the end of which is a steep climb up steps to Wards Hurst Farm.

Step 6

Go straight on at the farm. Follow the path for 0.6 miles and then turn right at the end of the woodland and head downhill to the road. Cross over the road and follow the waymarked signs carefully through this zig-zag section. Note: If you wish to complete the entire boundary trail you now need to see Ashridge Boundary Trail South and continue from step 2.

Step 7

Turn right onto the wide footpath and follow for half a mile until you reach a major junction.

Step 8

Take the third footpath exit on the right and follow this path back to the visitor centre.

End point

Ashridge Estate visitor centre by Bridgewater Monument, grid ref: SP970130

Trail map

An OS map showing the route of the Ashridge boundary trail north
Map of the Ashridge Boundary Trail - North | © Ordnance Survey

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Moneybury Hill, Ringshall, Near Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, HP4 1LT

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