Cowleaze Wood car park – View of Stokenchurch Gap loop from Aston Rowant Nature Reserve
Cowleaze Wood car park – View of Stokenchurch Gap loop from Aston Rowant Nature Reserve
24
hikers
Cowleaze Wood car park – View of Stokenchurch Gap loop from Aston Rowant Nature Reserve
03:39
12.5km
310m
Hiking
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Last updated: May 6, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through protected areas
Please check local regulations for:
Waypoints
Start point
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2.49 km
Grant's Plantation
Forest
4.61 km
Daisy Fields in Chilterns National Landscape
Highlight • Forest
Tip by
5.49 km
51 Squadron Halifax Bomber Memorial
Highlight • Historical Site
Tip by
6.39 km
Sunrise View with Moon in Chilterns National Landscape
Highlight • Natural Monument
Tip by
6.52 km
Cowleaze Wood car park
Highlight • Forest
Tip by
7.63 km
Grassy Field in Chilterns National Landscape
Highlight • Natural
Tip by
8.00 km
Old Cricketground Plantation
Forest
9.76 km
Talking Trail and Sculptures at Aston Rowant Nature Reserve
Highlight • Natural
There are sculptural installations with wind-up listening posts to interpret the wildlife, cultural history and ecological features of Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve. The trail is open all year and like the rest of the reserve is free of charge for all to enjoy. The reserve is bordered by The Ridgeway National Trail and Swan's Way and is well linked into the Public Rights of Way network in the area.
Tip by
9.96 km
Beacon Hill Yellow Meadow Ant Hills
Highlight • Natural
Tip by
10.2 km
View of Stokenchurch Gap
Highlight • Natural Monument
The cutting is mainly through the Upper Chalk, with some Middle Chalk seen at its base. The cutting is a Site of Special Scientific Interest of geological importance. It provides the best Coniacian section in central England.
The curved route of the cutting was designed to mitigate impact on the skyline, and to fit the local topography.[citation needed] The construction of this section of the M40 (junctions 5–8) was at the time extremely controversial, since the cutting through the Chiltern Hills was driven through the middle of the ecologically-important Aston Rowant NNR. Conservation groups were appalled at the unexpected decision of the inspector at the public inquiry to reject their claims that the national nature reserve designation implied a fully protected landscape which should in no circumstances be damaged. Their alternative proposals for a tunnelled solution, or a route on-line with the existing A40, were rejected.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stokenchurch_Gap
Tip by
11.7 km
Aston Rowant Nature Reserve
Nature Reserve
12.5 km
End point
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
7.49 km
2.51 km
2.36 km
107 m
Surfaces
3.43 km
3.18 km
2.79 km
1.36 km
1.15 km
540 m
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Elevation
Highest point (260 m)
Lowest point (140 m)
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Weather
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Sunday 12 July
28°C
13°C
0 %
Additional weather tips
Max wind speed: 27.0 km/h
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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.
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