Day 37 A Walk along the Polden Way

Today's walk is along the ridge which separates the levels around Street & Glastonbury with those beyond Compton Dundon & Somerton. These are the Polden Hills and the footpath which largely follows the crest is the Polden Way. We pick up Karen and Tim from Hurcot as the walk will end here and we shall be leaving our car at the start point on Walton Hill. The weather starts dry but we end the walk in fine drizzle, however throughout it is pretty muddy and at times sliding is good practice for skiing later in the month!

Starting from the west end of the walk we walk in turn Walton Hill, Ivythorn Hill, and Collard Hill before the path climbs to the Hood Monument above Compton Dundon.

From here, the footpath winds its way on through Hatch Hill, which is one of a number of places along the Polden Way where, at the right time of year, the Large Blue Butterfly can be found - hence the the Polden Way’s butterfly logo!

Next is Combe Hill Wood: a well managed woodland, with good parking, spectacular viewing points and well maintained stoned paths, some of which are accessible to pushchairs and wheelchairs. The top part of Combe Hill is suitable for young children, (Ettie loves it) and the elderly or infirm (mum's last walk just a few days before she died). 

The path continues through King’s Wood and into Great Breach Wood. Finally the Polden Way leads on to the top of Gilling Down. From there the path wends in and out of Great Breach Wood, down towards Hurcot, where spectacular views can be enjoyed towards Somerton and across the moors.

All in all a great walk with no steep climbs and lots of stunning views over the Somerset countryside on both sides of the ridge.

6.4 miles