Chesham to Haddenham: Saturday Adventure Ride

Overview

Our last Saturday Adventure Ride of 2026! This is a shorter ride than our great adventures in the summer, and quite close to home, as daylight hours are limited and the weather might be inclement. This is quite a hilly ride, but the climbs are less tough than some we’ve tackled this year, and the hills are all over by lunchtime. There are some off-road unsealed tracks towards the end of the ride (approx. 6km in total), a short section of which might be muddy if we have wet weather.

The Ride

From Chesham station, we ride through the attractive old town, and we are soon into the rolling countryside of the Chilterns. A couple of sharp hills and then a steep descent bring us to Great Missenden, famous for its Roald Dahl connections. Riding on, we climb out of the valley again on a steady ascent, and then enjoy an easy undulating ride to Prestwood. We have a long sweeping descent with glorious views of fields and woodlands, followed by a challenging climb to Great Hampden, and then another steep descent into Princes Risborough, where we will stop for refreshments (23km; approx. 12.30pm).

After lunch, we have an almost totally flat ride, taking the traffic-free Phoenix Trail out of Princes Risborough to Towersey. From here, a potentially muddy bridleway and suburban roads bring us up to Haddenham & Thame Parkway station for train services home. We expect to reach the station by approx. 3pm.

Travel Arrangements

Outward Journey

We will take the Metropolitan Line to Chesham.

The 09.02 departure from Wembley Park station reaches Chesham at 09.46. You could also join this service at Baker Street (08.49) or at Harrow-on-the-Hill (09.10), or from other Met Line stations. Check timetables carefully, as services to Chesham are only two per hour.

Contactless payment and Oyster are valid for the whole journey.

Return Journey

We will use Chilterns Railway services from Haddenham & Thame to Marylebone, via Wembley Stadium.

Trains leave at 06 and 17 mins past the hour. The 06 service is faster, taking 39 mins to Marylebone; the 17 mins past service is slower, taking 53 mins. Some services allow you to change at High Wycombe for trains to Wembley Stadium.

An Anytime Day Single fare is £24 to Wembley Stadium and £27.40 to Marylebone. Senior Railcard discounts are available and Oyster 60+ is valid from West Ruislip.

Train-assisted ride across the Chilterns from Chesham to Princes Risborough, then on the Phoenix Trail to Haddenham.

Quiet country roads, some short stretches on busier roads. Traffic-free unsealed tracks, including the Phoenix Trail.

Lunch stop in Princes Risborough.

Lock for your bike. Money/card for cafe stop. Contactless card/Oyster for outward journey; purchase ticket for return journey.