With one outside-London hike under my belt, at Box Hill last weekend, I was eager to try another. This weekend happens to be the annual Peak Bag, organized by Dartmouth alumni to raise funds in support of student mental health. I registered, thinking I might be an unusual participant (outside the U.S.). By the time I hopped on the train out of London, however, several participants had posted about their completed hikes in New Zealand, Australia, and Hong Kong. It is indeed a global effort! Read on, to see where we hiked.
Today my goal was to complete a part of the Ivinghoe Beacon circular walk, also noted as the northern option of two 8.5-mile circle hikes from Berkhamsted train station in a beautiful region known as the Chilterns. After meeting up with a fellow alum – a fresh graduate from the class of 2025! – we rode the train to Tring station, next to the pretty rural village of Aldbury. Our route rambled gently up and over hills in the Aldbury Nowers natural area, conserved under the National Trust. At times in deep forest, at times on windy ridgelines with distant views across the flat plains, at times crossing vast meadows grazed by sheep, and at times wandering along country lanes or narrow village streets, we enjoyed the variety of this loop. As one informational kiosk noted, we were following an ancient byway: “The Ridgeway National Trail follows a route that has been used for over 5,000 years by traders, herdsmen and soldiers.”
We ended near where we started, at the center of Aldbury village. I feel almost apologetic referring to this village green as quaint, but heck, it is truly quaint, and very beautiful. After a nod at the ducks in the duck pond, we settled in at a sunny outdoor table at The Greyhound pub and enjoyed a hearty meal of steak & ale pie, washed down with a pint of lager. I could get used to this!
Check out the gallery for more photos, including one at “Gallows Hill” and the center of Aldbury.
Hike stats:
Distance: 9.28 miles (14.9km)
Time: 4h50m (including stops)
Gain: 702 feet (214m)
David Kotz 
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