Pete's Walks - Ashridge, Ivinghoe Beacon, Tom's Hill (page 1 of 2)
I did this very roughly 9-mile walk on Wednesday, 22nd September 2010. Again it was a variation on a local walk I have done numerous times before. I am still suffering problems with my left foot and leg, but I thought I'd try a long walk to see how I got on. I chose to try my 'Alternative Ashridge Walk', but had to abort just after I reached Tom's Hill. My feet were sore (I need new boots, I think) and by the time I got back to my car my left leg was playing up, so I made the right decision. Shame, as it was a lovely day for a walk.
I started walking about 9.30am, setting out from the car park by the Bridgewater Monument in the heart of the Ashridge estate (the car park was full when I returned about 12.30pm). I took the main track that heads towards Ivinghoe Beacon, but within a hundred yards or so I forked left on to a path (I noticed there was no longer a sign forbidding horse riding on this path), descending through the trees and joining a bridleway further down the slope. I continued downhill, and after the bridleway emerged from the trees at the foot of the slope, I turned right on a footpath across a couple of fields. After crossing the drive to Duncombe farm, I headed uphill across a large pasture containing both sheep and a few black cattle. The path followed the edge of the pasture beside trees on my left for a while. I then re-entered the woods of Ashridge again, and the path climbed steeply up between the trees to rejoin the main track from the Monument to Ivinghoe Beacon.
The Bridgewater Monument, Ashridge
The path descending from Ashridge
The bridleway at the foot of the slope passes this impressive Ash tree (at least I think it's an Ash)
Looking back over the small valley of Duncombe to the wooded slopes of Ashridge - if you look closely you can make out Aldbury church (under the overhanging branch)
I turned left, following the broad track over the top of Clipper Down and passing a small kennels. After a good distance the track ended at a road, where I crossed over and turned left, following a path through the trees beside the road to reach the car park for Ivinghoe Beacon. It was still about half a mile to reach the Beacon, and as usual I went over the two subsidiary hillocks beside it (the first, larger hillock is surmounted by a tumulus or ancient burial mound). It was a warm and sunny morning, but the views from the Beacon were restricted by haze. I noted that the walk had taken exactly an hour, so far.
The Monument to Ivinghoe Beacon track, approaching the kennels on Clipper Down
The track continuing beyond the kennels, shortly before it passes Steps Hill on the left
Ivinghoe Beacon from the car park
Ivinghoe Beacon, from the largest of the two hillocks beside it
The top of Ivinghoe Beacon, looking out in the direction of Leighton Buzzard. Sadly, Milton Keynes is lost somewhere in the haze. :)
Pitstone Hill and the woods of Aldbury Nowers from Ivinghoe Beacon
Steps Hill, from Ivinghoe Beacon
I turned round and made my way back to the road that snakes round the side of Ivinghoe Beacon, and then continued on towards Steps Hill. I was now largely following the Ridgeway National Trail, but I varied from it here on Steps Hill, by taking a path further right which passes through more open scrubby landscape with views over the Vale of Aylesbury. The paths converged by the top of the hill, and I had the usual impressive view down into the steep-sided gully of Incombe Hole. I spotted a Meadow Brown butterfly here as I followed the Ridgeway down Steps Hill (I'd already seen several Speckled Woods). It was then a very pleasant walk on grass past a large open area of grassland towards Pitstone Hill.
Incombe Hole, from Steps Hole, with Pitstone Hill beyond
Part of the Ridgeway National Trail, between Steps Hill and Pitstone Hill