Cookham to Maidenhead Walk - Sat 17 Oct 2026
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A beautiful full-day point-to-point hike from Cookham to Maidenhead, combining ancient woodland, panoramic Thames Valley views, historic Cookham, peaceful riverside paths and the impressive landscape surrounding Cliveden.
This varied route explores the countryside that inspired The Wind in the Willows, before climbing to Winter Hill and returning to the River Thames for a relaxed riverside journey towards Maidenhead.
The route
The hike starts at Cookham Station. From here we leave the village and head into the attractive countryside around Cookham Dean.
We continue towards Bisham Woods, an atmospheric area of ancient woodland associated with the landscapes that helped inspire Kenneth Grahame's The Wind in the Willows.
The route then climbs gradually towards Winter Hill, where we are rewarded with wide views across the Thames Valley. This is the main climb of the day.
From Winter Hill we descend towards Cock Marsh and the River Thames before returning to historic Cookham, a picturesque riverside village closely associated with the English painter Sir Stanley Spencer.
The second part of the hike is much flatter. We follow a beautiful stretch of the Thames Path, with the wooded slopes and estate of Cliveden visible across the river.
We continue beside the Thames towards Boulter's Lock before leaving the river and making our way into Maidenhead, where the hike finishes at Maidenhead Station.
Route highlights
- Cookham Dean and the beautiful Berkshire countryside.
- Bisham Woods, ancient woodland associated with the landscape of The Wind in the Willows.
- Winter Hill with panoramic views across the Thames Valley.
- Cock Marsh, an attractive riverside area with ancient Bronze Age burial mounds.
- Historic Cookham village, closely associated with artist Sir Stanley Spencer.
- A long and peaceful section of the Thames Path.
- Views towards the wooded Cliveden Estate.
- Boulter's Lock, one of the most attractive stretches of the Thames near Maidenhead.
Walk details
Distance: 10.6 miles / 17 km
Difficulty: Easy / Intermediate
Ascent: Approximately 140 m
Hiking Time: Approximately 6 hours including breaks
Route Type: Point-to-point
Starting Point: Cookham Station
Finishing Point: Maidenhead Station
Terrain: Woodland paths, riverside trails, fields, country tracks and sections of the Thames Path
Meeting details
Meeting Point: London Paddington Railway Station , next to the main Ticket Office
Meeting Time: 08:30 AM
Planned Train Departure: Approximately 9:08 AM
Starting Point: Cookham Station at approximately 09:41 AM
The outward journey is from London Paddington to Cookham, normally changing at Maidenhead. The hike starts at Cookham Station and finishes at Maidenhead Station, from where we return directly towards London.
Train times should always be checked again shortly before the event, as railway timetables and engineering works may change.
A wonderfully varied journey through Berkshire combining ancient woodland, Thames Valley views, literary history, picturesque Cookham and one of the most enjoyable riverside stretches of the Thames Path, finishing conveniently in Maidenhead.