Chilterns Walking Festival - Take the Train for a Walk; Reading-Goring-Reading (NOT along the Thames Path) (1202)

About

This is a day-long linear walk of 10 miles. Starting at Reading Station, we catch the Great Western Railway, at times hugging the River Thames, to Goring and Streatley Station.  As the train departs, we'll start back to Reading, keeping a fairly steady south-easterly heading and enjoying some classic Chiltern countryside of dry valleys and wooded hilltops. We’ll finally drop down (like travellers of old) onto the high, dryer, edge of the Thames floodplain for our return via the ancient settlements of Mapledurham and Caversham.  Right up to the last riverside approach to Reading station we’ll be able to enjoy some scenic views.

Route Details

Capacity 10 | Distance 10 miles | Duration 5.5 hours | Pace Moderate | Difficulty Moderate (more challenging, for keen/active walkers) | Family Friendly This is primarily a day's guided walk through picturesque countryside, but some explanations of the scenery and points of interest will be given. It should appeal to children, teenagers and adults who can walk 10 miles and are interested in understanding the landscape they are walking through. | Dogs on leads welcome

Price

Free

BOOK HERE

Meeting arrangements

Meet at Reading Railway Station, RG1 1LZ, on the advertised platform, in time to catch the 10:52am train to Goring and Streatley. NOTE: At this time GWR cannot guarantee their timetable past 5th September. If time changes have to be made to accomodate a new timetable participants will be informed.

Walk Leader

Stuart Fletcher. Stuart lives on the edge of the Chiltern Hills. As a walk leader for over 30 years, he likes to roam through the beautiful landscapes they offer, pointing out interesting things to people.

Public Transport Links

Reading is a central travel hub served by the Great Western Railway and TfL Rail. The direct GWR train we'll be catching at Reading leaves Paddington at 09:57. A later, Tfl operated, train may be available to connect to our train at Reading but timetables need to be checked just before travel.

F​urther Information

Participants need to bring the train fare, a packed lunch and enough fluids for the day. Clothing and footware need to be suitable for a day's walk in unpredictable English weather.
There are public toilets at the start in the train station, and at the end, but only opportunities offered by secluded bushes in between.