Blue Skies & Chalk Paths: An end of August hike

This past Monday, Foot Trails Storyteller Emma headed out into the Wiltshire countryside to climb a favourite hill close to Foot Trails HQ.

A gravel path streatches off between two fields under a bright blue sky. There is a tree in the middle ground and a hill to the left of the tree in the distance.

“This has always been a favourite spot of mine. An unassuming hill that offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Especially on a day like today: Blue sky, sunshine and white fluffy clouds blown across the sky on a lively breeze.

View from a hill looking over brown and gold farm fields. A small hill is in the distance and you can see the shadows from clouds on the fields in the foreground.

I set off along the familiar chalk path and slowly made my way up along the ridges on the hill’s slopes. Right from the start the views are breathtaking, especially out to the northeast where you can look out over the amphitheatre-like curve of the hill and surrounding farmland. It was here, half way up, that I stopped to sit a while, watching the shadows of the clouds skimming across the fields. The countryside has already taken on a distinctly autumnal feel. The heat of the summer has subsided, and while the days are still warm, there is a subtle shift in colour, atmosphere and light that tells you autumn is definitely on its way.

View of a trig point on top of a hill with the countryside stretching out into the distance beyond under a bright blue sky and white fluffy clouds.
View of a worn chalk path on the side of a hill with a footpath post to the right and trees and shrubs in the distance.

I continued up to the trig point, enjoying the 360-degree views before heading out further into the countryside, stopping occasionally to pick delicious blackberries from the hedgerows. A perfect way to see out the last day in August.”

View over fields to a small hill. The field in the foreground is full of tall yellow and brown grasses with large seed heads. The fields in the distance have been harvested and are full of golden stubble.
View out over fields from under a tree. The top and left of the image is framed by the trunk, branches and leaves of the tree. Beyond stretches a field of tall yellow swaying grasses.

We’re already looking forward to misty mornings and golden trails as autumn unfolds over the coming months. It’s a wonderful time of the year to be out in the South West.

If you’d like to explore the quiet side of the English countryside in autumn 2027, simply visit our All Trips page, or email us. We’d love to chat through your plans.

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