Wessex Ridgeway - Wiltshire
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Wessex Ridgeway - Wiltshire
As I’ve mentioned numerous times in these blogs, for my challenge to walk the Great Chalk Way from coast to coast in 2025, I completed only the Dorset section of the Wessex Ridgeway, choosing to leave at Win Green and follow the Cranborne Droves Way to Salisbury and then the Sarsen Way to Overton Hill. At Overton Hill, the baton was handed over to The Ridgeway National Trail.
I know that the Dorset / Wiltshire border is actually in Ashmore but for the sake of a few miles I’ve been referring to Lyme Regis to Win Green as the Dorset section of the Wessex Ridgeway.
The Wiltshire section of the Wessex Ridgeway between Win Green and Marlborough is entirely in Wiltshire! A few miles before reaching Marlborough, the trail reaches The Ridgeway on Overton Down, less than 2 miles north of Overton Hill.
A look at the map of this part of the GCW shows that the trail crosses Cranborne Chase and then skirts the west and north west of Salisbury Plain, much of which is owned by the MOD. Beyond Salisbury Plain, the trail passes across the North Wessex Downs. Whilst it’s not as demanding as the Dorset section, the Wiltshire section still has plenty of history to offer as well as some fantastic scenery.
The Great Chalk Way information boards show 2 ways to reach The Ridgeway from Win Green.
I wouldn’t feel happy not also walking the alternative route to Overton Hill via Warminster, so in spring 2026 I decided to complete this route and then continue to the official finish of the Wessex Ridgeway in the centre of Marlborough.
Avebury has been mentioned so many times in my GCW blogs but the Wessex Ridgeway is the only one of the 6 trails comprising the GCW that actually passes through the village.
Having looked at other people's blogs relating to this part of the Wessex Ridgeway, the most popular number of stages walked to complete was 7. From looking at the available public transport options, 7 was definitely the way to go for me. These are the stages I walked to reach Marlborough.
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Ludwell to Hindon
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Hindon to Heytesbury
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Heytesbury to Bratton Camp
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Bratton Camp to West Lavington
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West Lavington to Devizes
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Devizes to Avebury
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Avebury to Marlborough
The numbers I’ve assigned to these stages are 28 to 34 being my 28th to 34th walks along the GCW. For various reasons I didn’t do these walks in order.
UPDATE June 3rd 2026 - I hope to update this page with my blogs of this part of the GCW in the next few weeks.