Pete's Walks - Pitstone Hill, Ashridge, Dagnall (page 3 of 3)
There was a brief and light shower as I turned left along the road through Dagnall, going straight on at the roundabout by the village church and continuing along the road as it headed towards a distant Leighton Buzzard. I had to follow the road for about three-quarters of a mile out of the village, but there was a decent verge to walk on and pleasant views either side, to Ivinghoe Beacon or to Dunstable Downs. I then turned left on a long bridleway round most of two sides of a former Wireless Station. The bridleway was contained between hedges on the left and a tall wire fence on concrete posts, so wasn't too interesting, although as I had only walked it once in the opposite direction it at least had the value of being unfamiliar to me.
The road out of Dagnall (going northwest towards Leighton Buzzard)
View of Ivinghoe Beacon (centre) from the road
Dunstable Downs from the road (where I turned off)
The path around the 'Wireless station'
Eventually I forked left on a path rising uphill across a large arable field to reach a prominent tumulus (ancient burial mound) on Gallows Hill. I continued steadily uphill, and followed the long ridge leading to the top of Ivinghoe Beacon. This being the Saturday of the Easter weekend the Beacon was pretty busy, with people admiring the views, a few other walkers and several people flying model planes.
The path up Gallows Hill
Approaching Ivinghoe Beacon
Looking back over Gallows Hill towards Dunstable Downs
The Vale of Aylesbury from Ivinghoe Beacon
Looking towards Aston Hill from Ivinghoe Beacon
Steps Hill, with Pitstone Hill beyond, from Ivinghoe Beacon
As usual I went over the two small 'humps' south of the Beacon, and continued towards Steps Hill, initially following the Ridgeway path but then forking right on a slightly longer but less enclosed path. I rejoined the Ridgeway path at the top of the hill, just before it ran round the head of Incombe Hole, and then followed it as it curved right and descended the hill. It then followed the edge of a huge open field to reach the lane between Aldbury and Ivinghoe, with the Pitstone Hill car park on the far side. It was about 2.25pm when I reached my car, so allowing ten-minutes for my brief lunch stop the walk had taken about four and three-quarter hours.
Pitstone Hill from the path on Steps Hill
The path on Steps Hill
Looking towards Aldbury from Steps Hill
Looking over Incombe Hole to Pitstone Hill from Steps Hill ( the car park is near the top right corner of the brown field)
The weather had been better than forecast as I had only had the one brief shower as I passed through Dagnall. There had been a couple of sunny spells, though generally the skies were grey and mostly overcast. The paths and bridleway had been fairly muddy, which probably explains my fairly slow walking pace today. It wasn't the best of walks, but I think it was a good choice for such an unpromising day. Despite the largely gloomy conditions, the views from Ivinghoe Beacon and elsewhere were still pretty good, and it was encouraging to see so many Red Kites so close to my home in Kensworth. Unfortunately my left leg and ankle were aching again for much of the walk, which rather took away from the enjoyment, but at least I think I know what the problem might be now.