Hivings Hill / Mount Nugent

In comparing to the other routes out of Chesham to the north west, Hivings Hill has the most urban feel, but the most varied gradients. Initially you have quite a steep climb at a pretty constant gradient up past houses, then it eases, and just when you think it might be the top you go round a bend to find a steep ramp ahead of you, that requires some effort to get over. However you do at least have some woods on the left to make the surroundings a bit more pleasant. After that the gradient eases and you go through more houses with a lot of cars parked on the road. This is the Mount Nugent section. This situation with parked cars and there being limited room between the cars is the main reason you might choose one of the other ridge routes, rather than anything to do with the gradients, the final kicker and the urban feel lower down, in my view. Beyond the edge of Chesham the road is quite flat and fast, but the surface has started breaking up in recent winters, so look out for holes.