Pete's Walks - Pitstone Hill, Ashridge and Ivinghoe Beacon
I did this walk on Sunday, 31st May 2009. I was still trying to 'break in' some new boots, so I did my regular 2-3 hour walk round Ashridge, Ivinghoe-Beacon and Pitstone Hill. But instead of starting at the Bridgewater Monument I started at the car park for Pitstone Hill. This had the advantage that the steep climb from Aldbury to the monument didn't come right at the end of the walk.
I started walking about 9.35am, heading up the small hillock next to the car park, and continuing on to Pitstone Hill.
Pitstone Hill, from the top of the 'hillock' next to the car park
The Vale of Aylesbury, from Pitstone Hill
From Pitstone Hill, the path descends slightly along the course of the ancient earthwork of Grim's Ditch, continuing for over half a mile through the woods of Aldbury Nowers.
Aldbury Nowers
Looking across the Tring Gap from Aldbury Nowers
I eventually emerged from the woods and crossed the golf course at Aldbury, where I saw a solitary Grass Vetchling. The path continued to pass a stables and entered the village of Aldbury close to the church.
Path through the golf course at Aldbury
Approaching Aldbury
Whipping post and stocks by the village pond in Aldbury
From Aldbury I took the steep main track up to the Bridgewater Monument, a long steady climb over about half a mile. As everywhere else on this walk, I passed many other people (mountain bikers, tourists, other walkers), as this is a popular area and this was a beautiful Sunday morning.
Near the top of the steep track from Aldbury to the Bridgewater Monument, Ashridge
The Bridgewater Monument
I started off down the main track from the Monument towards Ivinghoe Beacon, but after a hundred yards or so I forked left onto a descending path. This soon merged with a bridleway, and just after it emerged from the trees at the bottom of the slope, I turned right and followed a field path through the short valley of Duncombe. After crossing a farm drive, that path headed steadily back uphill and eventually re-entered the woods and rejoined the main track to the Beacon.
Bridleway leading back down from near the Monument
Impressive Ash tree by the bridleway
The valley of Duncombe
I passed the kennels on Clipper Down, which were particularly noisy this morning - it must have been feeding time. I stayed on the drive from the kennels all the way to the Ringshall Road, where I crossed over and turned left. There was a lot of Sanicle growing amongst the beech trees I passed through here as I made my way to the car park for Ivinghoe Beacon.
The main track from the Monument to Ivinghoe Beacon, just after the kennels on Clipper Down
Ivinghoe Beacon, from the car park
The car park was pretty busy, and I passed several more people as I made my way to the Beacon (including a couple of walkers I'd seen earlier, they were obviously doing a similar walk in the other direction). I made my way over the two subsidiary 'humps' and up to the top of the Beacon. I saw my first Yellow Rattle of the year, and just a solitary Common Spotted Orchid. I turned round at the top, and crossed the road and followed a good path up and over Steps Hill. I followed the Ridgeway Path down the other side, beside the steeply-sided Incombe Hole, and after another quarter of a mile or so was back at the car park where I started.
The Ridgeway Path, descending to the left of Incombe Hole
The Ridgeway Path heading back to the car park, with Pitstone Hill beyond
Like Yesterday's walk, this was a very pleasant walk on a beautiful morning - it seemed a fraction warmer today, with fewer clouds in the sky, but again a breeze that kept the temperature down. And again I had no problems at all with the new boots.