Road · United Kingdom
Great Missenden – Princes Risborough
A hilly 23 km road cycling loop from Great Missenden, England through Prestwood, Hotley Bottom and Princes Risborough, with 282 m of climbing.
At a glance
- Best for
- Short, climbing-heavy rides
- Distance
- 23.3 km
- Elevation gain
- 282 m
- Riding time
- 1–1½ hours
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Bike
- Road bike
- Surface
- Mostly paved
- Traffic
- Mostly minor roads
- Food & water
- Regular
- Navigation
- GPX download
- Start and finish
- Great Missenden
Map and elevation profile
Elevation profile
- 282 m
- 23 km
Route description
- Great Missenden
- Prestwood
- Hotley Bottom
- Cadsden
- Askett
- Whiteleaf
- Princes Risborough
- Green Hailey
- Redland End
- Great Missenden
Starting at Great Missenden, the route heads northwest passing Prestwood at 2.8 km and Hotley Bottom at 4.3 km. Early climbing includes a 2.2 km ascent beginning at 0.3 km averaging 2.6% gradient reaching 194 m. The ride uses mainly minor roads (72%) along with quiet streets, paths, and a short main road section of 0.6 km. Between 3 km and 9.9 km there is a 6.9 km stretch without cafés, shops, or water.
The route climbs again for 2 km from 6.9 km with an average gradient of 2.7% to a height of 214 m. At about 10.7 km another climb of 2 km averages 5.7%, with a max of 12% gradient, peaking at 249 m near Princes Risborough at 11.7 km. Nearby are Whiteleaf Hill and Pulpit Hill. Monks Risborough at 11.4 km offers a rail station and bailout point. The route continues through Green Hailey, Redland End, and Great Hampden before returning near Little Kingshill. Surfaces are chiefly paved with about 5% gravel or unpaved. Refuelling is possible at The Plough pub near 9.9 km and Zoran's Bakery at 19.7 km, with the nearest shop at 20.1 km.
The profile features climbing on 28% of the route with just under 1 km over 5% gradient. The longest descent is 2.2 km dropping 101 m near the end. Brush Hill viewpoint and the John Hampden Monument are also close to the route. Most climbing is in the first half, with the highest elevation at 258 m around 13.9 km.
Highlights
- Brush Hill viewpoint near 12.4 km
- John Hampden Monument near 18.1 km
- Climb reaching 249 m near Princes Risborough
- Pulpit Hill near 9.4 km
Along the route
Places passed
Climbs
| Climb | Starts at | On this ride | Top on this ride |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unnamed climb | 0.3 km | 2.2 km · 57 m · 2.6 % · max 4.3 % | 194 m |
| Unnamed climb | 6.9 km | 2 km · 53 m · 2.7 % · max 4 % | 214 m |
| Unnamed climb | 10.7 km | 2 km · 115 m · 5.7 % · max 12 % | 249 m |
Traffic, surface and gradient
Mostly minor roads and streets on the map.
- Roads
- 72% minor road · 18% quiet street · 8% path · 3% main road
- Fast roads
- 2.7 km on roads with a limit of 80 km/h or more
- Surface
- Predominantly paved: 93% is mapped as paved, 5% as unpaved or gravel and 2% has no surface data.
- Gradient
- 28% climbing · 27% descending · 44% flat
- Steep sections
- 0.9 km over 5% · 0.7 km over 8% · 0.5 km over 10% · steepest 500 m averages 11.5% at 11.9 km
- Longest descent
- 2.2 km from 21 km, dropping 101 m
Food, water and services
No stretch is longer than 15 km without a café, shop or water. Along the route: 13 cafés and restaurants, 4 shops and 1 public toilet.
Food, water and shops in ride order
- 1.6 kmThe Barn Kitchen · café · 350 m off route
- 9.9 kmThe Plough · pub · 80 m off route
- 19.6 kmPrestwood Pharmacy · pharmacy · 30 m off route
- 19.7 kmZoran's Bakery & Sandwich Bar · bakery · on the route
- 19.8 kmToilets · on the route
- 20.1 kmP E M Newsagents · convenience store · 30 m off route
Need to bail out?
- 11.4 km — Monks Risborough (station), 1.1 km off route
Worth a stop
- 12.4 km — Brush Hill (viewpoint, 246 m)
- 18.1 km — John Hampden Monument (monument)
Know before you go
- 6.9 km stretch without café, shop or water from 3 km to 9.9 km
- 2.7 km on roads with speed limits 80 km/h or more
- 0.6 km on main roads without a cycle lane
- 5% of route on gravel or unpaved surfaces