Maidenhead River Walk
This walk takes you from Maidenhead to Windsor along the Thames Path National Trail. It's a popular walk running for just over 7 miles along a flat riverside path. Along the way there's pretty locks, weirs and some lovely country views to enjoy.
The walk starts from the picturesque Boulter's Lock where there is a car parking area next to the Thames. From here you can pick up the Thames Path and follow it south along the river to Taplow and Dorney Reach where you'll pass Monkey Island and the pretty Dorney Lake. The attractive lake was used as the rowing venue for the 2012 Olympics in London. The site additionally includes 450 acres of parkland with an Arboretum and Nature Conservation area.
The route continues to Queen's Eyot before coming to Eton Wick and Eton where you can visit the famous school. Soon after you cross the river to finish in Windsor close to the historic castle.
Postcode
SL6 8JN - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsMaidenhead Ordnance Survey Map 
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Maidenhead Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Maidenhead OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Maidenhead Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Maidenhead
- Maidenhead Boundary Walk - This circular walk takes you around the old boundary of Maidenhead
- Chiltern Way - This is the original 125 mile circuit of the Chilterns AONB taking you through Hemel Hempstead, Chalfont St Giles, Marlow, Hambleden, Turville, Fingest, Bix Bottom, Ewelme, the Ridgeway, Stokenchurch, Great Hampden, Aldbury, the Dunstable Downs Country Park, Sharpenhoe Clappers and Harpenden
- Thames Path - Starting at the Source of the Thames at Thames Head in Gloucestershire, follow the iconic river through beautiful countryside and historic towns to the city of London.
- Marlow - The riverside town of Marlow is a lovely spot for walking
- Marlow to Henley - A popular riverside walk between these Marlow and Henley-on-Thames
- Cliveden House - Explore the stunning gardens and woodlands surrounding this Italianate mansion near Maidenhead
- Cookham River Circular Walk - The little village of Cookham is situated in a particularly delightful spot by the River Thames
- Windsor River Walk - Enjoy a riverside stroll along the Thames Path in Windsor and Eton on this lovely waterside walk in Berkshire
- Dorney Lake - This purpose-built rowing lake in Buckinghamshire has a traffic free National Cycle Network trail running past it on one side and the Thames Path on the other
- Eton - This Berkshire based town is a fine place to start a walk with two rivers, a local lake and the iconic Eton College to explore.
- Hurley - This riverside village near Maidenhead has some nice local trails and a noteworthy ancient pub.
- Jubilee River - Follow the Jubilee River path from Maidenhead to Eton and Slough on this waterside walk or cycle on the border of Berkshire and Buckinghamshire
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The circular Maidenhead Boundary Walk also starts from the lock car park. The 13 mile trail is a nice way to explore the area around the town.
At the other end of the route there's the Windsor River Walk. This circular walk visits Eton Wick, Eton Great Common, Eton College and Datchet.
You can also reach Eton from the town on the Jubilee River Walk. This route passes Taplow Lake and the 15th century Dorney Court on the way.
Just to the west in Hurley you can pick up the Hurley Loop Walk which will take you south to the woodland trails in Ashley Hill Forest and the Hurley Chalk Pit Nature Reserve. There's also one of the oldest pubs in the country to see in the village.
Just to the east of Marlow is the neighbouring village of Little Marlow. Here you can explore the wildlife rich Spade Oak Nature Reserve and visit the historic 14th century church and 16th century pub.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Berkshire Walks page.
Photos
Boulter's Lock. The lock is full as boats prepare to leave and head upstream towards Cookham. The lock takes the boats past Ray Mill Island in the Thames.
Maidenhead Bridge and River Thames. The bridge carries the A4 Bath Road over the River Thames. It was designed by the architect Robert Taylor and built at a cost of £19,000 in 1777. It was a toll bridge until 1903, when motorists decided they were no longer prepared to pay and threw the gates into the river. The bridge has 12 arches of which the middle 6 are over the water, with the middle two navigable. The first bridge over the river here was built out of wood in 1280. The centre of the small metal plaque on the near abutment records the maximum water level reached during the November 1894 flood event.
Monkey Island. This island is a narrow island in the Thames, and can be reached only by footbridge or boat. It became firm ground only when rubble was dumped following the great fire of London in 1666. The 3rd Duke of Marlborough bought it in 1723, and since then there have been pleasure buildings, lawns, and latterly this hotel.
Jubilee River, Footbridge near Glebe Close, Dorney Reach. A view taken looking downstream.
Dorney Rowing Lake
Boveney lock, Windsor.
Eton College boathouses from Windsor and Eton Bridge
The River Thames at Windsor