Dunstable Downs Circular Walk
Climb Dunstable Downs and enjoy breathtaking views over the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on this circular walk in Whipsnade. There are miles of footpaths crossing the chalk grasslands of the Downs visiting a number of interesting sites including:
The Five Knolls - a Bronze Age cemetery constructed over 4000 years ago.
Whipsnade Heath - a mosaic of grassland, scrub and woodland, with a fantastic variety of wildlife.
A peak of 797 ft (243 m) - this is the highest point in Bedfordshire and provides fine views over the county
Whipsnade Tree Cathedral - an extraordinary 10 acre park in planted in the form of a cathedral.
The area also includes the Chilterns Gateway Visitor Centre which has a wealth of information about the area, a cafe and fabulous views in a sheltered environment. Look out for gliders, kite fliers, hang gliders and paragliders on the downs too. You will often see them gliding past the hills on a summer day.
If you'd like to continue your walk you could follow the Icknield Way Path which runs through the park. This will take you north east into Dunstable or south west to another major highlight of the area at Ivinghoe Beacon. The iconic hill is located just a few miles to the west of the park and is a great way to extend your walking in the area. It commands fine views over the Chiltern Hills and the Vale of Aylesbury.
Dunstable Downs Country Park Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Dunstable Downs Country Park Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Dunstable Downs Country Park OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Dunstable Downs Country Park Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Just to the north of the park you can pick up the Sewell Greenway. The shared cycling and walking trail runs along a disused railway line to Stanbridgeford.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Dunstable Downs. Chiltern Way comes out onto the Dunstable Downs and cuts right heading to the Chilterns Gateway Centre
Five Knolls round barrow cemetery: three bell barrows, two bowl barrows and two pond barrows on Dunstable Down
Footpath off Buttercup Lane. Buttercup Lane becomes a private road just after this footpath strikes off to the right. This footpath crosses Dunstable Downs Golf Course
Kite flying on Dunstable Downs. Looking north. Although they are not easy to see on the photograph, the sky was full of kites.
Trig point, on Dunstable Downs Highest point in Bedfordshire at a mighty 797 feet). It was scaled only in 2014, after numerous mountaineering expeditions perished due to the high altitudes and unforgiving crevasses and sheer rock faces on route to the summit.
A glider from the nearby London Gliding Club swoops on the thermals around the downs. Some visitors watch, others seem oblivious to it.
National Trust Visitor Centre, Dunstable Downs
Pastures at the base of the Dunstable Downs. View north-west of the B489, the Icknield Way, by Wellhead Farm.