Collard Hill large blue butterfly trail
Heading through woodland glades, this walk will take you up Collard Hill in search of the large blue butterfly. Collard Hill was opened by the National Trust, on behalf of the Large Blue Partnership, for the public to come and see this rare and fascinating butterfly.
Near to
Glastonbury TorStart point
Ivythorn Hill National Trust car park, grid ref: ST488340Trail information
Total stages: 7
Total stages: 7
Start point
Ivythorn Hill National Trust car park, grid ref: ST488340
Stage 1
From the car park near the youth hostel, head east towards the crossroads.
A large blue butterfly | © National Trust Images / Ross Hoddinott Stage 2
Follow the path through woodland glades and out into rough grassland. Look out here for marbled white and ringlet butterflies, plus several types of orchid.
Stage 3
Cross over a (blind) summit crossroads with care. Go to the opposite, south-east side of the crossroads, heading towards the Scots pine trees, and National Trust stile and interpretation board.
Stage 4
Head right, towards and through the scattered pine trees. The blue-topped posts will guide you through some of the best areas for the large blue butterfly, but feel free to explore.
Stage 5
Start climbing the lower slopes of Collard Hill then continue walking straight ahead, traversing halfway up the hillside. Large blues fly all along here. They tend to use the lower slopes in windy weather, but never fly north of the fence that runs along the crest of the slope. In the distance is Butleigh Monument on Windmill Hill.
Stage 6
A favoured area for the large blue is the East Bank, a grassy open area east of the track that runs diagonally down the slope. Explore and leave via a path cutting through the scrub at the bottom of the slope.
Exotic looking bee orchids mimic other insects to help with pollination | © National Trust Images / Richard Allen Stage 7
Turn right and follow the bottom of the slope back to step 5 and return to the start of the walk.
End point
Ivythorn Hill National Trust car park, grid ref: ST488340
Trail map
Map route for Collard Hill, large blue butterfly walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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