Walks from Alton

An 11-mile ramble over the six hills ringing Alton, with farmland, woodland near Monk Wood, the River Wey and the Hangers Way, gateway to the South Downs.

Warnings: Includes a subway crossing under the A31 and field-edge paths that may be muddy.

Walk details: Wey Valley Community Rail Partnership (PDF).

Wide upland fields, beech hangers, hidden pastures, wooded commons, gentle downland ridges and quiet Hampshire villages.

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Quaint cobbled Farnham, St Swithun's Way and the River Wey to Alton, via Bentley and pretty Binsted village.

Time: 5h–10h

Walk details: Walking Post (tips, photos and local insights).

Countryside crossing over gently rolling Hampshire farmland, with woodland paths, the infant River Wey, a butterfly reserve and the St Swithin's Way pilgrimage route.

Lunch: Station café and a café in Waitrose, both at Alton.

Warnings: Grass and lower paths can be wet after rain; the route crosses the A31 dual carriageway.

Walk details: Blackwater Valley Nature Walks (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Countryside footpaths, bridleways and byways through woods and across arable fields, usually wide and well-trodden. Can be soft after rain, the Hook end (around Gaine's Wood and Hook Common) is exceptionally wet and boggy and where it is best to skirt around the access land. One field path is not visible on the ground. The Great Park in the middle is a highlight, with bluebells in flower in spring.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 5h30–11h30

Warnings: The route crosses a field with a small herd of Highland cattle about 2km before Alton. The Hook Common area is exceptionally wet and boggy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Pleasant walk mostly on safe footpaths with nice views; particularly beautiful with lovely views and tranquil woods; very enjoyable. A beautiful but strenuous walk on countryside footpaths, bridleways and byways through woods and across arable fields, within the South Downs National Park. Soft and muddy after rain and with some stiles and the very steep Shoulder of Mutton hill. Within the South Downs National Park, mostly following the Hangers Way (which can be followed all the way between the two towns). Passes Chawton (Jane Austen's house). A water shrew was spotted on one walk.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 6h–12h

Lunch: A tea room at Chawton, roughly midway. Pubs at Upper Farringdon and Hawkley may not always be open, so don't rely on facilities other than at Alton and Petersfield.

Warnings: Shoulder of Mutton Hill is very steep on both sides (zig-zag options exist via the Hangers Way); Selborne Common is notoriously muddy; some stiles, steps and ploughed-field paths. A short A32 section can be avoided via the Chawton House estate footpath.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A scenic, almost entirely off-road walk crossing picturesque estates (War Memorial Park, Hackwood Park), woodland and arable farmers' fields, with a variety of landscapes. Some narrow and overgrown stretches (notably White Lane), a couple of stiles and kissing gates and a small amount of quiet-lane road walking; firm underfoot in dry spells. Not much in the way of resting places; the church at Weston Patrick has seating. A bus runs between the two endpoints.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 5h–10h

1 lunch spot: Avenue Nurseries café

Warnings: Several stiles and kissing gates, and an overgrown stretch of track (White Lane). The B3349 crossing has good sightlines south but a northbound bend, so take care. Cattle, including Highland cows, often in a field near Alton.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Enjoyable and beautiful, especially around the Candovers. A long route mainly on countryside footpaths, bridleways and byways through woods and across arable fields, with several stretches of road walking. Variable underfoot and generally firm in dry weather; no stiles or steps. Follows the Oxdrove Way and Wayfarer's Walk in parts. A shop in Preston Candover about halfway, and shops in Alton; very little at Micheldever (the pub by the station has closed). Both Alton and Micheldever Station have train and bus links.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 7h30–14h30

Lunch: A shop in Preston Candover about halfway, but very little at the Micheldever Station end.

Warnings: Not recommended: several sections are not public rights of way and require detours, including stretches needing a climb over a fence. Several road stretches are unpleasant, notably the national-speed-limit sections from Poasley Farm to Breach Farm Cottages and along Larkwhistle Farm Road, with fast traffic and little or no verge. Micheldever Station is hard to reach from the east.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Direct route via Upper Farringdon, gentle downland, quiet villages and Jane Austen's Chawton.

Source: A shorter variant of Alton Circular – the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Rolling Hampshire countryside, wooded hangers, villages, open farmland and the Alton Circular afternoon route.

Warnings: Very long walk.

Source: A longer variant of Petersfield to Liss – the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).