The Henley 100

• When to go – best from late spring to early winter (April – October) as some of the trails get quite muddy over the winter months  
• Logistics – catch the train to Henley-On-Thames station or park at the long stay car park at the station (charges apply) or free on-street parking on St Mark’s Road 
• Watch out for pheasants when they are released in abundance in early September

• Camp at Ridgeway View campsite – back to basics, remote, no frills camping – £20 per pitch
• Or Wallingford Riverside Campsite – riverside camping within walking distance of town – £32.50 per pitch – advance booking required

• Drinking water is available at all pubs along the route, of which there are many to choose from. 
• Hambleden Stores is well worth a visit, to soak up some of the atmosphere of this beautiful village. 
• Ewelme Stores is also a good stopping point on the first day. 
• Pierreponts in Goring-On-Thames is a great spot for coffee and cake on the second morning, followed by a trip to Imma The Bakery in Stoke Row in the afternoon (open til 2pm), award-winning artisan bakery.

location Henley-on-Thames-Ridgeway View Campsite

Day 1 (31 mi +2,400 ft)

Head east out of Henley-on-Thames over the bridge towards Remenham. Turn immediately left onto the riverside footpath (give way to pedestrians). Follow this path north along the river for 2.5km to the lock at Mill End where you will need to walk your bike across the weir. Cross the main road carefully and join the road heading north towards Hambleden. Follow the road north through Hambleden, climbing up to Parmoor for the first singletrack descent of the route known locally as “Nun’s Run”. Head north through Skirmett, then take a left at Watery Lane to visit Turville, filming location of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Vicar of Dibley. Head back towards Fingest, turn left at The Chequers pub and then follow the bridleway up to Ibstone. Dive into the woods opposite The Fox pub, down another chalky bridleway, doubling back on yourself at the bottom of the hill. On to Northend, where there are a few options to cut out some hills by staying on the road and a possible lunch stop at the Fox and Hounds. Follow the trails or road through Cookley Green, blast down to Warburg Nature reserve then climb back up to Park Corner for another flowing descent towards Ewelme – well worth a detour if you have the time, but can be skipped if not. Stop for the night either at Ridgeway View campsite (basic, no frills, great sunset views) or continue on to Wallingford along the Grim’s Ditch singletrack.

location Ridgeway View Campsite-Henley-on-Thames

Day 2 (31 mi +1,660 ft)

Head south on the bridleway out of Wallingford and pick up the Ridgeway through North Stoke and Little Stoke. Take a worthy singletrack detour up over White Hill, then loop back round to South Stoke and back onto the Ridgeway to Goring. Stop for a coffee at Pierreponts or The Swan at Streatley, then back out onto Gatehampton Road for a short sharp climb up to Great Chalk Woods. Wind your way through beech woodlands with views that open up across the hills and valleys, emerging at Woodcote, with a Co-op for supplies, then swiftly diving back into the woods towards Nuney Green (cut the corner from Cray’s Pond if short on time). Take care crossing the busy A4074 at Cane End, then follow quiet country lanes and bridleways to Stoke Row, with a choice of pubs and cafes – stock up at Imma the Bakery and visit the Maharajah’s Well before the final stretch to Henley-On-Thames along beautiful double and single track through the woods, rolling down the Pack and Prime Lane to finish the route.