Best walks to or from Farnborough (Main)

Farnborough (Main) Station to Brookwood Station

one of the most enjoyable routes in that area. A gentle, straightforward and very enjoyable route, mostly along the quiet Basingstoke Canal towpath through a deep cutting and dense woodland and with some residential streets at Frimley Green and Farnborough. The towpath has a fairly small gradient but can get quite muddy after wet weather; the last kilometre into Farnborough is a bit uphill on roads. The towpath switches sides at the Bisley Camp Road bridge. Adjacent army ranges at Deep Cut produce occasional sound effects along the canal.

Easy: 9km, moderate ascents.

There are railway lines to cross leaving Farnborough where visibility can be poor; take care. The towpath can be quite muddy after wet weather.

Lunch stop: the Harvester.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Farnborough (Main) Station to Ash Vale Station

A pleasant route. The nicest route between the two, on easy hard-packed trails through woodland and a nature reserve, then along the flat and well-kept and well-drained Basingstoke Canal towpath. Bumpy and narrow in places; passes through pleasant suburbs of Frimley Green. A more direct footpath exists but is noisy due to the A331; the canal can be followed for a slightly shorter alternative. Passes very close to the Basingstoke Canal visitor centre, which has a campsite and cafe.

6km.

There are two pedestrian railway crossings (usually manned at Farnborough North, unmanned near Frimley Green); visibility is good but take care, especially in fog. The towpath can be busy with runners and cyclists.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Farnborough (Main) Station to Frimley Station

An easy-to-follow route, mostly a pleasant woodland and riverside walk along the Blackwater Valley path on a generally compacted, fairly level surface with some gravel. A gentle hill near Farnborough station, rises over the A331 road bridge and the Church Path can become very muddy. Road noise from the busy A331 runs alongside for much of the way. Follows the Blackwater Valley path.

Easy: 3km, moderate ascents.

The Church Path becomes very muddy in wet weather; stick to Highgate Lane instead. There is a gated level crossing at Farnborough North station with warning lights.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Aldershot Station to Farnborough (Main) Station

An easy, safe urban walk, mostly on wide pavements along wide boulevards through residential areas and a military camp and shaded by buildings or trees for most of the way.

Easy: 6km, gentle ascents.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Blackwater Station to Farnborough (Main) Station

An almost entirely off-road, surprisingly pleasant route mostly following the River Blackwater and the waymarked Blackwater Valley Path and on well-surfaced paths with occasional muddy sections after wet weather. The section through Hawley Meadows is especially green; the Farnborough section is on pavements beside roads. Follows part of the Blackwater Valley Path for walkers and cyclists. Connects with stations at Farnborough, Farnborough North, Frimley and Blackwater.

Easy: 6km, moderate ascents.

The A30 is very busy at the Meadows roundabout but has a pedestrian crossing. A flight of steps at Blackwater station can be bypassed by a short detour, as can the steps between the A331 and A325. Some stretches can become muddy in wet weather.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route