Hiking Women, the 65 miles (105 km) of the Oxfordshire Way is a great way to see some of the loveliest parts of  the south-east and central England.

Starting in at Bourton-on-the-Water, the trail follows public footpaths and bridleways through rolling countryside and visits the quiet villages of Oxfordshire with their ancient churches, picturesque cottages and grand manor houses.  From Bourton in the Cotswolds, the route passes very close to Blenheim Palace (world heritage site) and skirts round Oxford before crossing the fertile farmland in the wide Thames valley. It then climbs the chalk escarpment to the Chiltern Hills, with stunning views, cool beech woods and flint and brick buildings, before dropping down to the River Thames at Henley and the end of the route.

Walking the route over 5 or 6 days allows time to explore villages along the way and if you want to see  more, a sightseeing day in Oxford or at Woodstock and Blenheim Palace is an option to consider.  The walking is easy to moderate grade.

Hiking Women, it’s easy to get to the start and from the end of the trail by public transport.  Bourton by train and bus is about 3 hours from London Paddington and Henley is just over an hour.

Walk the Landscape will  arrange your accommodation and luggage transfer for self-guided tours.

Walk the Landscape also invites Hiking Women to join them on the hike along the Oxfordshire Way from 15th to 21st October 2011 when the colorful autumn leaves will be at their finest.

The photos in the gallery were taken in March and April this year, 2011.

Happy hiking women!

Anne