GOC Great Missenden 087 Pednor House, Chartridge (51239853576) GOC Great Missenden 087 Pednor House, Chartridge (51239853576). Photo: Peter O'Connor aka anemoneprojectors / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Open the interactive map → Map of NCN 57 - Northleach to Chesham

Official route · Sustrans

NCN 57 - Northleach to Chesham

105 km 928 m climbing A day 11% off road Road cycling Cotswolds & Chilterns

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.

The figures

Distance105 km
Climbing928 m
Off road11 km, about 11% of the route
Riding timeabout 6 hours, a long day
RegionCotswolds & Chilterns
Route fromSustrans

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.

Put your own dates on this and TourTrax splits it into days at your pace, finds somewhere to sleep at the end of each one, estimates what it will cost and gets you to the start without flying.

Plan this route → Download the GPX

Other route guides

NCN 57 - Northleach to Chesham is an official route from Sustrans (their website).