Walks from Micheldever

A long walk leaving Winchester via Riverside Park along the River Itchen, then following the Watercress Way and the route of former railways across rolling Hampshire farmland to Micheldever Station. Mostly farm tracks, quiet lanes and good-quality paths, with a short wooded stretch by the railway; some sections muddy or overgrown and plus a few stiles. Shares the route of the St Swithun's Way and Camino Inglés (St James Way) leaving Winchester, then follows the former Didcot, Newbury and Southampton railway. Passes Winnall Moors Nature Reserve on the western edge of the South Downs National Park, with many helpful information boards. Direct hourly train links Micheldever and Winchester (about 9 minutes); the station is 0.2 miles beyond the village sign.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 5h30–10h30

Lunch: A farm shop (Cobbs/Cobbs farm shop) early on for coffee and snacks; otherwise few facilities — Kings Worthy is the last main settlement, with plenty of spots for a picnic en route.

Warnings: Walkers only. A few road sections (notably Old Stoke Road) are straight with good visibility but lack pavement, so you may need to press into the hedge. One narrow path runs parallel to the railway with a steep drop-off; watch for easily-missed steps. Cattle in some fields. Easy to miss turns off the disused railway lines.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Starts in Whitchurch on the River Test, heading south on a long footpath through attractive fields, then an overgrown byway and a long roadside walk along the busy Overton Road, before a narrow path alongside the railway cutting and a final field crossing to Micheldever Station. Footpaths can be unclear and narrow and overgrown. Passes the Silk Mill Museum just south of Whitchurch and goes through the Roundwood estate.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 3h–6h

Warnings: A long walk alongside the busy Overton Road has only a narrow verge; visibility is good but you need to stay vigilant. The footpath alongside the railway cutting is narrow and overgrown in places, and its entrance is rather hidden after the A303 underpass.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 6h–12h30

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.

Lovely views and goes through beautiful beech woods. A long, varied walk taking in lanes, fields, beech woodland and a final urban stretch into Basingstoke. The off-road sections are largely dry underfoot and though woodland paths can be overgrown and muddy in winter. No stiles. Follows a stretch of the Wayfarer's Walk near Dummer. The train from Basingstoke to Micheldever takes about 10 minutes for an easy linear return.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 5h30–11h

Lunch: Community cafe in Beggarwood Park and a Forest Holidays cafe in Blackwood also offer refreshments along the way.

Warnings: Larkwhistle Farm Road has fast traffic and narrow verges with no safe place to step off, and undulations hide approaching vehicles. The Holt woods can get muddy. The footpath through The Holt is tricky to find.

Walk details: Slow Ways.