NCN 57 - Northleach to Chesham
NCN 57 - Northleach to Chesham is a 105 km road cycling route in Cotswolds & Chilterns with 928 m of climbing, about 11% of it off road, and it splits into a single day at a moderate pace.
The route runs east from Farmington through the Cotswolds, dropping into river valleys at Windrush and Little Barrington before reaching Burford at 13.7 km. Through Asthall and Fordwells the road stays quiet, then the line pulls through Cogges and Eynsham toward Oxford, passing Wolvercote, Summertown, Jericho and the city centre in quick succession. East of Oxford it climbs through Horspath and across the Shotover Estate before settling into a more rolling profile through Wheatley, Worminghall and Shabbington. The Chilterns section from Saunderton through Whiteleaf, Great Hampden and Prestwood to Chartridge and the approach to Chesham is the hilliest part of the day.
Worth knowing before you go
About eleven percent of the route is off road, concentrated mainly around the Shotover Estate and the Chilterns stretch. Burford, Oxford city centre, Wheatley and Prestwood are the most reliable points for resupply along the line. The section between Shabbington and Saunderton passes through small settlements with limited services, so carry what you need before Wheatley.
NCN 57 - Northleach to Chesham in numbers
- Distance: 105 km
- Climbing: 928 m
- Off road: 11 km, about 11% of the route
- Riding time: about 6 hours, a long day
Water, food, campsites and stations along this route are shown on the interactive map.
Plan it and ride it
The map on this page carries the surface breakdown, the elevation profile and every point of interest. You can split the route into days against your own pace, see what it will cost to ride, and take it with you. Download the GPX.
Read the NCN 57 - Northleach to Chesham route guide.
Getting to the start without flying · Browse all routes
Route from Sustrans.
Compiled by Ed Hunton, Cicerone guidebook author, from TourTrax's own route data.