Pete's Walks- Pitstone Hill and Grand Union Canal (page 3 of 3)
I passed many narrowboats moored along the canal, and two or three boats went past as I walked the mile and a quarter or so to the bridge at Tring Station (the second bridge that I came to). I had to go under the bridge and then turn up the steps to reach the road, where I turned to what was now my left. I walked along the road, passing the actual station on my right, and on out of the village. Shortly after a junction where a road went left, I turned left along a concrete farm drive and continued ahead where it turned left, to reach a crossing bridleway where I turned left.
Grand Union Canal
Grand Union Canal
Grand Union Canal, just before I left it at Tring Station
The road out of Tring Station
The short farm drive
The bridleway led between hedges and trees for a few hundred yards before I turned right at a path or bridleway crossroads, passing between two open areas of steepish grassland, both parts of the Aldbury Nowers nature reserve. Since Tring Station I'd been back on the route of the Ridgeway National Trail, and I stayed on it as I then turned left, initially up a flight of 'steps'. The path passed along the fence at the top of the reserve, then continued onwards through the woods of Aldbury Nowers.
Another section of the Ridgeway, heading towards Aldbury Nowers
Another section of the Ridgeway, heading towards Aldbury Nowers
The Ridgeway continuing through the nature reserve at Aldbury Nowers
From the edge of the nature reserve at Aldbury Nowers, looking out to the Vale of Aylesbury
The Ridgeway continuing through Aldbury Nowers
The Ridgeway continuing through Aldbury Nowers
After about two thirds of a mile, the path left the woods and climbed gently up the flank of Pitstone Hill. At the top of the hill the path bore right, soon descending gently with good views ahead to Steps Hill and Ivinghoe Beacon. At the foot of the slope I chose, as usual, to go up and over the small hillock here, before reaching the car park where I started on its far side.
The Ridgeway rising up Pitstone Hill
The path across the top of Pitstone Hill
Ivinghoe Beacon and Steps Hill from Pitstone Hill
Ivinghoe Beacon, Steps Hill and the car park from the 'hillock'
It was a shame about the afternoon showers, but they were very slight - I put up my hood, but didn't need to put my waterproof trousers on. The walk took a few minutes less than three hours, which was the right length for what I needed (I'm still recovering from the Post-Viral Fatigue I've had). Although it was a very familiar route I really enjoyed it. In particular, it was nice to walk that section of the canal again, it's been a few years since I did it.