Barbury Castle to Avebury Walk

6.5 miles (10.4 km)

This walk takes you from Barbury Castle Country Park to the ancient Avebury Stones in Wiltshire.
It's a 6.5 mile walk from the car park in the country park to the stones, so about 13 miles there and back. The route runs along a section of The Ridgeway National Trail, passing the white horse hill figure and viewpoint at Hackpen Hill.... You continue south to Overton Down where you turn west to reach the iconic stone circle at Avebury. Along the way you'll enjoy some wonderful views over the North Wessex Downs from the elevated path.
Traversing the high chalk ridges of the North Wessex Downs, this section of The Ridgeway offers a profound sense of stepping back in time. As you trek between the Iron Age hillfort of Barbury Castle and the Neolithic wonders of Avebury, you are following a path used by travellers for over 5,000 years. The wide, grassy tracks are perfect for spotting local wildlife, particularly birds of prey like red kites and buzzards that frequently ride the thermals above the escarpment. In the summer months, the chalk grassland is a haven for rare butterflies and wildflowers, including various orchids and the vibrant yellow of horseshoe vetch, making it a premier destination for nature photography and hiking in Wiltshire.
The descent from the heights of Overton Down toward the Avebury World Heritage Site provides one of the most dramatic approaches to any ancient monument in Europe. Before reaching the village, the route passes through a landscape dotted with prehistoric burial mounds and sarsen stones, often referred to as 'Grey Wethers' due to their sheep-like appearance in the distance. Arriving at the Avebury Stone Circle, you can explore the massive sarsen stones and deep-cut earthworks that form the largest megalithic circle in the world.