Icknield Way: Sharpenhoe Clappers - Sundon Hills circular Beds

The A6 north of Luton and south of Barton passes Streatley. Drive through Streatley and follow signs towards Sharpenhoe Clappers visitors car park. 

[1] From the car park pass through the gate and follow the metalled path along the Icknield Way Walkers Route.  After 1/3 of a mile the path comes to an open area with the beech woodland of Sharpenhoe Clappers ahead. Here fork left along the lower path and walk to the Clappers. In the beech woodland keep left and follow the tree/fence line. At the North end of the ridge, take the footpath left down some 140 steps.  At the bottom of the steps take the footpath on the left. Pass through two kissing gates and then diagonally left across the field to a kissing gate on the far side.

[2] Cross the road carefully and follow the Icknield Way bridleway for 1.25 miles as it weaves along the bottom of the hills.  Ignore footpaths/signs/gates to the left to Moleskin and Markham hill.  At the road, turn left for 250m.  Be aware of the few vehicles using this road.  At the road junction pass through the kissing gate on the left and follow the permissive path as it leads uphill between the two fields.

[3] Continue through another kissing gate into a wooded area. Take the first path to the left. This goes up some 55 steps, through part of a former quarry. At the top appreciate the easterly views back towards Sharpenhoe Clappers.  Now turn right and continue climbing, through a gate, keeping the hedge on your left.  Leave the hedge as it curves to the left and continue straight across the field up the hill to the hedge at the top, then turn left and follow the hedge line.

[4] Follow the ridge around to the right, through a gate. After a further 150m pass through a kissing gate to the right, following the Icknield Way path.  Continue up hill on the field edge. At the footpath junction turn left and continue to follow the Icknield Way path as it winds along field edges for half a mile.

[5] After the path turns right into the woodland follow the Icknield Way path along the top of the wooded slope for 1/3 of a mile.  As the path opens out, pass through the kissing gate on your left  and cross the grazing field diagonally.  Go through the kissing gate and carefully cross the road to return to the car park.

[A] Sharpenhoe Clappers is a classic chalk escarpment and part of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It is crowned with traces of an Iron Age hill-fort and an impressive beech wood.  It is a prominent landmark from Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. It was bequeathed to the National Trust in memory of brothers Norman & Laurance Robinson who were both killed in action during the First World War.

Maps: OS Explorer 193, Landranger 166

Eating & drinking:  Chequers pub in Streatley

Accommodation: Chequers pub in Streatley

Water for dogs: Available from natural water courses along leg [2], but none available on the remainder of the route

The Icknield Way Association promotes the 110 mile long route from Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire to Knettishall Heath on the Suffolk/Norfolk borders.  The Icknield Way links the Ridgeway and Peddars Way National Trails.  Search for other Icknield Way walks, for example this route links with a circular walk to Upper Sundon & Toddington.  This route follows the Icknield Way path and the Icknield Way multi-user riders route.

National Trust maintain the area jointly with Central Bedfordshire Council