Soubla one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Soubla here.

A nice, easy walking path. The gpx route is accurate and simple to follow.

I walked it the other way around, getting a bus from Southampton to Blackfield (the hourly #9). Blackfield has plenty of places to stock up on food and drink, should you need it. If you were finishing here and waiting for the bus back, I am not sure there was anywhere to go to the loo, however,

The path heads westwards to the boundary of the New Forest, bears right, and then turns right at Bell Lane. The track is pretty good, although it clearly looks as if it has been muddy and churned up in the winter. The path then heads out until a sharp right along a bridlepath, and it is mainly bridlepaths that this route follows from here on in (when not on the road).

The surroundings become more urban, and never really get away from that 'Forest edge' landscape that is common here - more farmland than heathland. Crossing the Rollestone Road, you head up Park Lane and quickly fork right through Warren Copse. Paths are well maintained and used by the local community. Bear left once past the large houses on the RHS and follow the paths until you come out onto Lime Kiln Lane.

This bit of the walk is on road. There is traffic, but adopt the usual practice of finding the widest verge and facing the traffic where possible, and you will be fine. Eventually, there is pavement as you enter the industrial estate. Don't miss the footpath to your right - or you end up at Vibrant Forest Brewery (worse thing can happen). On the main A road, you might need to wander up to the roundabout to cross safely.

Follow a couple of small roads and head up to the ESSO terminal gates, and the road eventually gives way to the path on your left, keeping the quarry on your left. Eventually, the path gives way to the tarmac and you find The Travellers Rest pub on your right. There is quite a hidden cut through on your left, then across Frost Lane, and take the path ahead of you (if you miss the cut through the junction is yards ahead and you can loopback). This path cuts through the woods at the back of Hythe.

From here on in you are on pavement, turning right climbing up Deerleap Way, the only climb of any note on the walk. On the main road, bear right and follow the road past the fire station, under the railway bridge, and past the Lidl on your right. Hythe Ferry is signposted from there.

Please note the ferry does not run continuously, and only once an hour. Hythe is a place where you can get refreshments and use loos whilst you wait. Tickets can be obtained from the machine or office (if open). You can take the old train along the pier to the ferry, or walk the final bits. If you miss or don't wish to wait for the ferry, the number 9 bus stops around here too.

Once off the ferry, the walk takes you to Central Station, but you might as well walk straight up High Street into the city. This is the Old Town and there are interesting bits of the medieval walls still left before you enter the modern shopping area. As you hit the old Bar Gate turn left, right at the mini roundabout, and follow the road until you get to Asda. Cross the road here so you are on the same side as the supermarket, and keep bearing left with the road. Turn left and walk down the hill to the Station.

We did this walk from Blackfield to the Hythe Pier. I believe the distance on the site are incorrect. We calculated several ways but came up with 8.25 miles just to the Hythe Pier. It took us 2 hours and 10 minutes just to Hythe. You would have to add time to wait for the Ferry, then 15 min for the Ferry, then the walk to the train station which I have done many times and is at least 20 minutes. So to do this walk all the way from Blackfield to Central Station in Southampton will take you close to 3 hours depending on how long you have to wait for the ferry. There are shops at Blackfield where you start and there is a pub you pass an hour into the journey but there aren't any restrooms or anything the rest of the way. Most of the walk is on foot paths and Bridleways but there is some where you are walking along a road. It isn't very far but it is there. We enjoyed the walk and the route map is correct. A few times we had to think about which path to take but it didn't take long. There are some muddy areas we came through so wear good boots or something you can slog through. I would do this again but I'd have better walking boots on. And stop at the pub to use the facilities. The trail continues behind the pub anyway so might as well stop.
There are some photo's of our journey.

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