Britain's official guide to canals, rivers and lakes

Sunday 7th September 2008

Ouse Valley Way 6: from St Ives

Route facts

Waterways:
River Great Ouse »

Distance: 6.5 miles / 10.4km

Duration: 3.5 hours

Starts at: St Ives

Ends at: Earith

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This route is part of the Ouse Valley Way which is 26 miles / 41.6km along the River Great Ouse and the countryside surrounding it. The route can be broken up into shorter, circular walks, with this one being the first. You will need to be careful near the locks and gravel pits as they are deep and are not suitable for swimming. Trousers and long sleeves are recommended as there can be giant hogweed in the area, which causes serious rashes.

There are places to stop for refreshments in St Ives, pubs and shops in Earith and Bluntisham and pubs at Needingworth and Holywell. The waymarkings along the way are green with yellow arrows.

Getting there

Parking: There is parking in St Ives, Overcote Lane in Needingworth, Hollywell, Bluntisham and Earith.

Public transport: There is a regular bus service from St Ives to Cambridge which stops at Earith and Bluntisham, although not very often. The nearest train station is in Huntingdon.

Waypoints

1. St Ives to Earith (6.5 miles / 10.4km)

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. After about a mile, you will come to Overcote Lane, the Pike and Eel Inn being on the right. Cross the road and walk straight-ahead, along the flood bank, for another mile. Follow the high bank past the pump house until the path forks. Take the right path (the left hand path will take you to Bluntisham) which crosses over the remains of a railway line to bring you to Berry Fen (used an ice skating arena in winter). Reaching the far end of the meadow, the path will lead you away from the river and bring you onto the A1123 where you will head right, into Earith. This is the end of the Ouse Valley Way.

2. Earith to St Ives (8.5 miles / 13.6km)

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iver and lead you to a track. Turn right here back to the river where you will see the Ferry Boat Inn. Turn left to follow the path along the riverbank, which will bring you out into open farmland. Cross under the disused railway and continue to follow the river. When you meet a track near St Ives Stauch, turn left past the marina, then continue until you reach a road. Turn right here until you reach the entrance to the marina. Turn right again off the road, following the path to the left of the water through the marina to a high footbridge. The path will lead you to Wilhorn Meadow which you will cross and it will lead you to a bridge that leads right to St Ives.