Pathfinder Long Distance Walk
This circular walk in Cambridgeshire is named for the Royal Air Force Pathfinder Force - a group of target-marking squadrons in RAF Bomber Command during World War II.
The route takes you to the RAF Pathfinder stations at Wyton, Graveley, Oakington and Warboys. You start from the Wyton Airfield, just east of Huntingdon and west of St Ives. Wyton was the Group Headquarters and has been a military airfield since 1916, when it was used for training by the Royal Flying Corps and then its successor the Royal Air Force.
The 46 mile route then takes you through the countryside, visiting a number of pretty villages on the way.
Pathfinder Long Distance Walk Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Pathfinder Long Distance Walk Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Pathfinder Long Distance Walk OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Pathfinder Long Distance Walk Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
In Somersham there's the timber framed Duke of Marlborough for a pit stop. The historic inn dates to the 15th century and has a cosy interior with real fires. There's also a lovely terrace for the summer months. You can find them at postcode IP8 4QA for your sat navs. The pub is dog friendly.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
At the entrance to RAF Wyton. The Pathfinder March is an annual march around the route. The March, which currently draws about two hundred and fifty to three hundred participants, is held to perpetuate the memory of the famous Royal Air Force Pathfinder Force (8 Group) from the Second World War.
Mushroom Pillbox at the former RAF Oakington. The annual march starts and finishes at Royal Air Force Wyton, and is scheduled for the closest Saturday to the Mid-Summers Day. Due to the strenuous nature of this event, and the weather conditions a number of participants do not complete the course, although the percentage of finishers is increasing. There have also been more and more runners taking part
The route has been modified since the Pathfinder March was first introduced in 1997, and no longer crosses the airfield as it is active during the event. Instead, the route now tracks from Warboys west to the village of Kings Ripton, before heading south and the RAF station. The route is signposted with way marker signs displaying the silhouette of a mosquito aircraft and is open all year as the Pathfinder Long Distance Walk.
The Causeway, Godmanchester. Entrants have 20 hours to complete the full 46 mile course. Walkers set off at 0400 hrs, whilst those wishing to run the distance start at 0800 hrs to allow time for the check points to be put in place at later stages of the route. All participants are encouraged to keep to the times set for the various stages of the course, otherwise they will not complete the course and be forced to retire.
Oakington Airfield. The route encompasses RAF Wyton, Godmanchester, Graveley Airfield, Graveley, Papworth Everard, Elsworth, Childerley, Dry Drayton, Oakington, Oakington Airfield, Longstanton, Bluntisham, Colne, Somersham, Warboys and Kings Ripton before finishing back at RAF Wyton. There are 8 Check Points for participants to report to and have their walkers/runners cards punched.
Pathfinder Long Distance Walk next to the River Ouse.
Conveyor belt at Brownshill Staunch
Graveley airfield memorial. There are several such memorials along the route.