Pete's Walks - Kensworth and Ivinghoe Beacon (page 1 of 2)
If you are considering walking this route yourself, please see my disclaimer. You may also like to see these notes about the maps and GPX files.
I did this roughly 15-mile walk on Saturday, 27th November 2010. This was yet another repeat of my Kensworth and Ivinghoe Beacon walk - there was a smattering of snow on the ground and I didn't want to drive anywhere in the wintry conditions, so chose to do a walk from home.
It was quite foggy as I set off from Kensworth about 10am. I took the path from Whipsnade Road to Dovehouse Lane, and then made my way past Holywell and on to Studham.
Field gate at the start of the path from the Whipsnade road to Dovehouse Lane - the phot gives a good idea of what the conditions were like at the start of the walk
Footpath between Holywell and the road into Studham
Approaching Studham
From Studham I took the long bridleway starting on Common Road, heading along a hedge line and then descending and re-ascending the Gade Valley. I saw four other walkers as I reached the top of the far hillside near Hudnall (one ahead of me, three coming the other way).
Near the start of the bridleway from Common Road, Studham, to Hudnall
The bridleway follows the hedge line across the Gade Valley, switching to the right of the hedge after crossing the road
View right from near the same spot, along the valley
From Hudnall I crossed a large ploughed field, passing a solitary tree near the start, and then crossed some empty pastures near Little Gaddesden church. Further on I passed between some paddocks, before crossing the road through the village and taking a long private drive that took me to Ringshall.
The path from Hudnall to Little Gaddesden
Path through paddocks in Little Gaddesden
Private drive in Little Gaddesden
It was then a very pleasant stroll along a broad bridleway through the trees of Ashridge, all dusted with snow. I eventually reached the main track between the Bridgewater Monument and Ivinghoe Beacon, which I followed past the kennels on Clipper Down. After about another third of a mile I forked left onto a path through bushes and small trees to reach Steps Hill.
Bridleway through Ashridge
Bridleway through Ashridge
The main track between the Bridgewater Monument Ashridge, and Ivinghoe Beacon, approaching Clipper Down
The same track just beyond the kennels on Clipper Down
I was rather surprised to find a flock of sheep in the woods near Steps Hill
Approaching the top of Steps Hill
Path on Steps Hill, skirting the top of Incombe Hole