Pulpit Hill - a hike through a nature reserve, woodland and heathland.
- chrislavallin
- Feb 10, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 21, 2022
Distance: 4.75km
Total ascent: 124m
Difficulty: Some rolling hills, a couple of steep climbs
The walk starts at a public house in Cadsden - The Plough. From the outside of the pub, turn left back to the main road to Monks Risborough, keeping left walk about 100 meters before crossing the road and entering the wood.
Taking the path in front and ignoring a branch to the right, head north through the wood until you come to the gate which welcomes you into the Grangelands and Pulpit Hill Nature Reserve. This nature reserve is a haven for wild orchids, butterflies, and birds.
Heading through the gate, take the path that veers to the left which opens out onto a broad sweep of heathland. Sometimes this is populated by a herd of cows but usually, the only wildlife to be found are rabbits, butterflies, birds, and the odd red kite or two.
In the distance, you will see a large gate, head gently uphill towards the gate, and pass through the hiker's gate on the left. Cross over the bridleway and through the kissing gate and keep heading up the hill. You will then be walking along a relatively level chalk path with heath on your left and woods on your right and if you're lucky and the season is right, wild orchids lining the way.
The path descends into the Old Kimble Rifle Range before heading back up towards a kissing gate with a large information plaque for the nature reserve. It's a good spot to catch your breath.
Carry on up the steps and head up the bridlepath for about 30 metres to another gate shrouded by a huge, magnificent beech tree. At this point, you will follow the path to the right.
However, if you feel so inclined you can head to the left and upwards to the top of Chequer's Knap which affords great views across the vale.
From the beech tree bear to the right and follow the Cradle's Path which undulates past three old trees that have long since lost their leaves and bark, that I have nicknamed 'The Three Old Men'
Continue past these along the path and head uphill until you reach a stile on your left, next to a gate in front. At this point you can head over the stile and walk across the heath to a little hill topped with silver birch trees or through the gate.
Taking the route through the gate, take the left path diagonally across the field towards a clump of large chestnut trees on the edge of the wood. At this point turn right and walk along the edge of the wood, You will eventually come to a fence that overlooks the estate surrounding 'Chequers'. From here turn around and take the path next to the large trees on the edge of the wood on your left and make your way back to the gate and stile. Go back through the gate and turn immediately left and walk up the slight hill and into the woods. Walk through the kissing gate and cross the bridleway to a path leading to Pulpit Wood.
On entering the wood through the dilapidated gate follow the path until you reach a fork, taking a right will take on a route through a beech lined path back to the rifle range. Turn left and make your way into Pulpit Hill Fort. The Pulpit Hill Fort once formed part of a series of defended sites along the Chiltern ridge during the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age.
This is quite a nice spot for a little stop to admire the layout of the fort.
Carry on along the path past the tree that represents the throne, and bear to you right and head down the hill until you come to a T junction for a bridleway. Turn left and walk about 500 meters until you find a signposted path going down on your right. Descend towards the road and you should find yourself at the top end of two laybys. (Remember these for future walks around the area). Now head uphill on the road and take the path on the left that descends with a farm on the left and woods on the right. Carry on for about 500 meters until you come to a metal gate on the right that opens onto deep trench heading down and to the right.
Keep following the path, ignoring branches on the left until you get back to the pub.
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