Autumn visit to Nyland Hill

 

Nyland hill viewed from Draycott Sleights

Most of the time I've seen Nyland Hill from the Levels rather than this eagle's eye view, I like this string of low hills in the Levels just before the rise of the Mendips proper - Worminster, Launcherley, Arthur's Seat and this lovely conical half-wooded hill, Nyland Hill (link:streetmap) 

The obvious route as you pass through the gate from the south

I parked south of the hill and took the obvious route, which was steep and tough going as it neared the top, not one to take when it's been raining a lot. I didn't really fancy taking that way back ;) At the top I was graced with great views over the Levels and some of those other low hills

Looking back over the Levels at some of the low hills

Glastonbury Tor from the trig point

Reaching the trig point was the chance to have a well-deserved swig of coffee from the flask, no point in dragging the extra weight up the hill if I don't use it! 

Looking towards Cheddar from the trig point

Overhead there was the deep-throated cronk of a Raven floating in the thermals overhead

Raven. The diamond-shaped tail is apparently diagnostic, but I ID'd this from the deep 'cronk' of the call

 I spent a little while admiring the aerobatic mastery of this fellow swooping about, before thinking about making my way back. I didn't care to descend the way I had come up, but thankfully the northern side isn't as steep

the northern descent is less of a trial than the southern ascent

I dodged a bullet taking it on this way round - looks like walker Olly came from the south and descended the way I walked up! I think I'd have bottled and come back the south way. I don't have walking poles, perhaps in should raise my game, since some of the ascent was an occasional drop to all fours ;)

Walking on the bridleway back round the hill I got a view of what Nyland hill is made of - these exposed layers of limestone