In places you can feel on top of the world with undulating downland and dry valleys
This section is 9.3 miles (14.8km) long. A map of it, and a route profile that gives an indication of the amount of up and downhill, can be downloaded below.
From the start of the Trail at Overton Hill The Ridgeway climbs gradually to Barbury Castle Iron Age fort. Along this section there are characteristic sights of small clumps of beech woodland planted by the Victorians as landscape features and to give sheep some shelter. Some clumps are even planted on top of Bronze Age round barrows, frowned upon today because of the damage tree roots do to ancient monuments.
Countryside
The countryside is a mixture of arable land, changing colour with the seasons, and areas of sheep or cattle grazed grassland. Some of the best views are from Smeathe's Ridge as you descend from Barbury Castle to Ogbourne St George.
Ogbourne St George
The pretty village of Ogbourne St George in the valley of the River Og contains many lovely cottages some of them built out of blocks of chalk with thatched roofs. It also has two pubs!