Pete's Walks - Four Hills Walk, again (page 2 of 3)
I then took a different route down the western side of Pulpit Hill. The path I took last time was very steep indeed, this route was a longer way round but less steep, although one path was still steep enough. I ended up on a pleasant bridleway that ran along the foot of the western side of Pulpit Hill, until I met the Ridgeway Path again, where I turned left for Whiteleaf Hill. As always it was a bit of a struggle up the long climb to the top of Whiteleaf Hill, but well worth the effort for the glorious views at the top.
Path on the western side of Pulpit Hill
Bridleway along the bottom of the western side of Pulpit Hill
The Ridgeway Path, in the nature reserve at the foot of Pulpit Hill
The path up Whiteleaf Hill
Looking over Princes Risborough from Whiteleaf Hill
A close up of Didcot Power Station, about 20 miles away
Neolithic barrow on Whiteleaf Hill
I then followed the usual paths and Bridleways to Parslow's Hillock (this walk is basically a variation on Walk 12 of my Chiltern Chain Walk). As I reached the hamlet, I was surprised to see a Brimstone butterfly, I thought it was a bit late in the year for butterflies. I continued on through the extensive Monkton Wood to Hampden Common, where I ate my sandwiches beside the Cricket pitch.
Bridleway from Whiteleaf Hill
Footpath between Whiteleaf Hill and Parslow's Hillock
Path to Parslow's Hillock
Lane from Parslow's Hillock
Path through Monkton Wood
Path through Monkton Wood
I took the usual path towards Great Hampden, but when the church there came into view I turned half-right across a huge sheep pasture to take a different route across Hampden Bottom to Little Hampden. I got a good view of the east face of Hampden House, and nice views across and along Hampden Bottom (a slightly larger than usual Chiltern valley).
Path from Hampden Common to Great Hampden
Great Hampden church
Path through sheep pasture at Great Hampden