Chilterns 2 Peaks Challenge to go ahead in August

The newly named Chilterns 2 Peaks Challenge invites walkers to choose either an 8 or 12 mile circular route, taking in one or two ‘peaks’.

The 8 mile walk follows the Ridgeway Trail and takes in the beautiful sights of Whiteleaf Cross before wending its way back to Princes Risborough, while the 12 mile route also includes Coombe Hill.

Both routes start and finish from the Ridgeway path in Princes Risborough, with suggested locations for parking close to the start.

This removes the need for participants to take buses, kindly provided by Arriva in previous years, back to their cars and ensures everyone can keep socially distanced.

To offer added flexibility and help avoid any bad weather, those taking part can also decide when to take on the challenge, choosing any day between Thursday 13 August and Sunday 13 September, the date the event would normally take place.

Participants will navigate their own way around the routes using the maps provided when registering, taking the opportunity to clock up their steps, absorb miles of rolling landscape in the company of friends or family and raise vital funds for Rennie Grove.

Families will be offered a fun activity pack for the walk, perfect for the children, which will include a scavenger hunt, word search and top picnicking spots along the route.

Adults won’t miss out either – their own pack will include information about sites of interest and historical landmarks, birds to spot and how to enter the Chilterns 2 Peaks photo competition.

Tracey Hancock, Director of Fundraising at Rennie Grove, says: “As the Chilterns 3 Peaks is such a well-loved event, we really wanted to adapt it this year to ensure participants can still enjoy the countryside in the safest way possible.

We’re delighted to invite walkers of all ages to take on our Chilterns 2 Peaks Challenge, including four-legged friends! Why not walk it as a family, or get together with friends, staying safely socially distanced, and enjoy some time together in the great outdoors?

“We hope the adapted event will be just as popular as we have been hit hard financially by the pandemic. Many of our community fundraising activities have been cancelled which has meant a sharp drop in the income we rely on to deliver our services for local families.

"So we hope that people will sign up and get fundraising. By raising just £28.50 you could fund an hour of specialist nursing care in patients’ homes and in return you will receive an iconic medal. Or join together as a family and raise £215 to cover a shift for one of our specialist hospice at home nurses.

"We need support now more than ever and I hope everyone will find this a really enjoyable way to help out.”