This third loop (to follow Box Hill and Leith Hill) was added in June 2025, but many of the earliest rides taken post-Freedom Pass freedom took off from Amersham into the Chilterns. The addition was prompted by a desire to see what disruption the building of HS2 is having on the area.
Amersham is a very useful Oyster Zone 9 link into Arc 10 via Copperkins Lane, as there are more trains than Chesham, with both Metropolitan and Chiltern services. Moreover, the station is already at 150m, the line having climbed out of the Chess valley before descending to the River Misbourne. In fact, ridden clockwise, this route is surprisingly level considering the endpoint is at 267m, the highest elevation on the network along with Botley Hill Arc 5. This is because the loop explores the gentler dip slope of the chalk escarpment - until the final (optional) section.
There is a traffic-avoiding shortcut 0.3 via Hervines Park. At Frith Hill 1.9 a short section with Arc 10, but straight 2.3 through Hyde Heath to B485 L 3.8 toward Great Missenden. R 4.3 through South Heath and on to Hunt's Green. The bucolic lane lies alongside HS2 workings, mercifully mainly hidden. The line itself is and will be below ground. L 6.4 on well surfaced (HS2 access?) King's Lane - but that deteriorates later. At 7.5 there is a view of the upper Misbourne, over towards Combe Hill, with the HS2 viaduct below: the line has just emerged from a TEN-mile (!) tunnel with an eastern portal at Denham.
At R 7.7 on Chesham Lane, briefly, before enjoying a brief offroad excursion 8.0 through Lordling Wood. The bridleway has been ploughed up in the field beyond; it may be necessary to dismount briefly. The alternative is to stay on the road. Rejoining pretty lanes (R 9.1) takes you to St Leonards Church. L 9.5 for Wendover Woods. At 10.6 the unmarked road is the exit from Wendover Woods, but it is acceptable to cycle contra-flow direct to the visitor centre and cafe. This will save a couple of miles, a sharp descent at the scarp slope of Aston Hill 12.0, and a re-ascent through Wendover Woods entrance 12.4 to the destination 13.7.
The return leg of the loop is straightforward, starting with retracing to St Leonards Church 15.7. Straight on Jenkins Lane leads to Cholesbury 17.0 and Hawridge: two ridge villages that share elongated common land. It's an attractive ride, and at 18.3 lies the Chiltern Velo Cafe - a good break in either direction, anti-clock especially, as you will have just climbed Hawridge Hill.
As Chesham lies well below Amersham this is a significant hill. The town is reached, and the final mile is 20.8 on the A416 and then an access road (with Arc 11) to London Underground's most distant and charming leg - the single track link from Chesham to Chalfont and Latimer.
