Oxford, England is the home to the oldest university in the English-speaking world. While the city is bustling with more than 150,000 residents, it is a nice mix of the old and new and the surrounding areas are ideal for mid-day strolls to strenuous two-week hikes. Hiking near Oxford is a unique experience, as the sites range from botanical gardens to ancient ruins and abandoned roadways.
One Way
Not all hikes have to be round trip. Two Oxford trails, to Albingdon and Northmoor, end near bus lines that return hikers to Oxford. The Oxford to Albingdon route is 8.5 miles and follows south down part of the national Thames Way trail. The trailhead begins at Olney Bridge and hikers will pass by small villages and canal-style locks. Oxford to Northmoor is 11 miles and instead of going north, this trail runs south along historic roadways and past the ruins of Godstow Abbey. The return bus, The Stagecoach, does not run on Sunday.
Urban
The Oxford Circuits are urban hikes that make a route on the inner, outer and center of the city. The outer circuit, the longest of the three, winds around the town's center and goes past Christchurch College, St. Barnabis Church, through the botanical gardens and along the Oxford Canal. These are ideal short-day hikes and will get hikers and walkers familiar with the town and its surrounding history.
National Trails
The National Trails are 15 long-distance routes that run through England, Wales and Scotland. Cotswold Way and Thames Path, near Oxford, are best visited between April and November when the weather is best. Both trails have several places along the paths to stay overnight, whether in bed and breakfast, village inns or campgrounds. Cotswold Way is more than 100 miles long and runs from the town of Chipping Camden to the historic city of Bath. The trail goes through several villages and through open pastures. Thames Path, a wooded and less-heavily traveled route, is 184 miles. It is a gentle trek through remote and rural areas of England.
Mid-level Routes
Oxfordshire Way, 65 miles, and Wychwood Way, 37 miles, connect to one another and eventually link to the Thames Path. These mid-level hikes go through Bleinham Park, around the forest of Wychwood and cross open farmland and woods. The Oxfordshire Way trail starts at the Cotswolds and ends at the Chilterns. Wychwood Way starts and finishes at Woodstock and the path is marked with signs along the way.
Ancient Roads
The Ridgeway is the oldest continually used road in Europe. More than 5,000 years old, this national trail travels 87 miles through moorland and farmland, over hills and along the step escarpment. The trail is made up of the ancient roadway as well as several footpaths. To stay only on the historic road, follow the western half of the trail that covers 40 miles and passes by the White Horse of Uffington.
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