Trail (UK)

Stow Hill

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1 SO354738 From the centre of Bucknell take the lane leading north from near the church and fork left onto a narrow lane soon after crossing the river. Continue along the lane until it turns into a track and at a low col between trees keep ahead with the main conifer plantation on the right. Follow the good track through woodland for almost 1km to emerge onto a lane by Cubbat. Turn right for 900m to the farm buildings at Weston.

2 SO329733 Turn right up the farm access track, past a fine cast iron waterwheel, and drop down to a couple of cottages. Look for the small steel gate and steps on the left, which lead to a track on the north side of the farm. Follow this uphill towards forestry and head west on a track through the trees onto steep pasture. Follow the path above Jutland Plantation and pass through a gate onto a track leading to the church and the small cluster of houses at Stowe. Turn left onto the lane in front of the church and walk downhill for 120m to take a track on the right. Turn left by cottages after 250m on an unsigned bridleway and pass through a small gate to climb up to another track.

3 SO308734 Turn right, through a farm gate, and follow the track uphill, past coveys of noisy pheasants, to gain height above the valley. The views to the north include Holloway Rocks and the scenic slopes that encircle Stowe. Carry on to the next gate and join a rough stone track with a hedge on the right. Continue to the next gate and veer diagonally right over a field to a small steel gate. Continue up to a gap between fences and turn right over open sheep pasture to a long prominent plantation. Head for the gap in the trees and keep walking east (no obvious path, but one stile to cross) over the long crest of Stow Hill. After 700m join a track running next to a large forestry plantation and continue east for 1km to a gate. From SO316747 The trig point on top of the extensive grassy summit lies 300m to the south.

4 SO322749 Go through the gate and immediatel­y go through the next gate on the left to join a rutted track sloping steeply downhill, with views to the hills above Hopton Castle and Bedstone. After 800m pass the farm at Vron and continue down until the track becomes a dark holloway. By the edge of the forestry, turn right onto a recently diverted path around Lower Lye and follow signs down to a narrow lane, which crosses the River Redlake and leads up to a lane. Turn right for 750m.

SO341752 Fork left at the next gate and follow the track for 250m, next to a row of towering conifers. Turn right by a glade and continue along the well-establishe­d bridleway for 900m, with river below and steep woodland rising on the left. Two gates lead past a cottage and onto narrow Bridgend Lane. Continue along a lane, past a ford on the right, and turn left at the

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 ??  ?? Looking north from the eastern end of Stow Hill towards Bucknell Hill (right) and Hopton Titterhill (centre). 5 4 1 3 2 5 GRADIENT PROFILE Start Weston Stowe Stow Hill Finish 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL 2 4 3 5 1 4 0 0 6 2 8...
Looking north from the eastern end of Stow Hill towards Bucknell Hill (right) and Hopton Titterhill (centre). 5 4 1 3 2 5 GRADIENT PROFILE Start Weston Stowe Stow Hill Finish 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 200 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL 2 4 3 5 1 4 0 0 6 2 8...

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