Chequers from Butler's Cross

I always think of this climb as being a part climb, because it doesn't go to the top of the nearest high ground, but in fact it reaches a similar elevation to the Longdown climbs. What you think of those climbs is another matter, because arguably the top of the Longdown climbs is not the top of the hill either, in the way that Whiteleaf is, or Lodge Hill, that starts at the top of this climb.

But this climb will get used by a lot of people who want to ride the long valley from Chequers down to Great Missenden, and it's still a reasonable challenge.

The early stages from Butler's Cross provide some nice views towards the Chequers estate and Beacon Hill in particular (the flat topped hill away to the right). The later stages are up a hollow way, where the dense tree cover has just been cleared, letting a lot more light in. So it's quite a nice climb, varied and with good scenery.

To turn it into an even better climb you can add on Lodge Hill, taking you to the top of Coombe Hill, once of the best known hills in the Chilterns. Lodge Hill entails some challenging riding once you're over the top, and unless you plan to turn round and come back down you need to be mentally prepared for bad surfaces and steep gradients.