The area is home to the world's largest concentration of rare chalk streams, which are fed by groundwater filtered through layers of chalk.
The Chilterns were formerly known as the Chiltern Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty before being rebranded as a National Landscape.
It is the largest single area of woodland in England, much of which is comprised of ancient semi-natural beech forests.
The local furniture industry, centered in High Wycombe, relied heavily on the regional abundance of beech wood for chair-making.
Parts of the area contain unique 'hanging woods' which cling to the steep slopes of the chalk escarpment.
The Ridgeway, which cuts through the Chilterns, is considered Britain's oldest road, with parts dating back over 5,000 years.
The Chilterns National Landscape is a sprawling, protected region of rolling chalk hills spanning 833 square kilometers across four counties. It is distinct for its steep escarpments, expansive beech woodlands, and historical association with the 18th-century furniture industry. The landscape contains a network of chalk streams, a rare habitat found in only a few locations globally. Visitors access the area through numerous public footpaths, bridleways, and the long-distance Ridgeway National Trail. The topography is defined by the underlying chalk geology, which creates high, dry plateaus and deep, dry valleys known as combes. Large portions of the land are managed for biodiversity, supporting rare species such as the Chiltern gentian and the Duke of Burgundy butterfly. Human history is embedded in the terrain, with evidence of Iron Age hillforts and medieval deer parks visible throughout the escarpment.
The summit of Coombe Hill, which provides an expansive panoramic view over the Aylesbury Vale.
Download offline topographical maps before arrival as mobile coverage is inconsistent in deep valleys.
Wear sturdy, waterproof hiking boots to handle chalk paths which become extremely slippery when wet.
Use the 'Chilterns Walking App' to locate public rights of way and avoid trespassing on private farmland.
Attempting to cross active farmland without following clearly marked public footpath signs.
Follow the Countryside Code: keep dogs under control near livestock, bag and bin all pet waste, and leave gates as you find them.
