Winmic two

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

I walked this route today - in September it was only slightly muddy and overgrown in a few places, but in general it is an excellent route. It is mostly on farm tracks or quiet lanes; the wildest part was the short stretch crossing the Dever stream on a wooded path beside the railway embankment, where I met a few cows. But the route was very clear, as marked on the map. There were temporary obstacles and heavy vehicles on the Alresford Drove because of work on the railway cutting and Wallers Ash tunnel below.
The Old Stoke Road was quite busy and, although safe enough because of being straight so the traffic can see you, it did require pressing myself into the hedge a few times. If you wish to avoid that, an alternative is to do the other sides of the square between Wallers Ash and the Watercress Way - coming from the north, cross straight over the road towards South Wonston, then take the first footpath turning south, and left again to rejoin the marked route.
Watch the map when following the straight paths on the disused railway lines; it's easy to miss the turns off (I did!). When coming into Springvale, after passing under the main railway line, you have to go a little further along the road than marked on the map, before doubling back up the footpath to the Blackberry Field at the top of the hill. The route through Kings Worthy was much quieter than it looked on the map (a pleasant surprise, even for a local like me!). In fact I saw almost nobody on the whole route, until I reached Winchester.
Overall an excellent day's walk.

We walked this from Winchester to Micheldever station in September. It's an interesting route with plenty to look at. Leaving Winchester one shares the route with the St Swithuns Way and Camino Ingles (St James Way) along the River Itchen. It is a lovely path despite the drone of the M3. Going through Kings Worthy was not as urban as I'd expected and we were soon onto a former railway line. Kings Worthy is the last main settlement before Micheldever Station. We didn't check out the pub there but it would be one of the few places to stop - the Cart and Horses is close to the route. However there are plenty of lovely spots to stop and enjoy a snack en route.
The route from Kings Worthy was mostly good quality tracks. There were a number of information boards about the area which enhanced the walk. There were cattle in a field shortly before Weston Colley but they were not interested in us or our dog. The last mile or so before reaching the road leading back to Micheldever Station was a bit overgrown but not too bad.
There's a direct train between Micheldever and Winchester which makes it an easy route to access.
Only a few stiles - and all had gaps for dogs to climb through. We missed the path along the edge of the railway line north of Weston Colley and had to scramble up a bank to rejoin it. Otherwise it was easy to follow the route. There are sections on roads but none were too busy.

Winchester to Micheldever Station 2 (Winmic 2) review.

An informative walk north from Winchester which visits a nature reserve, and the route of a former railway; before crossing farmland to Micheldever Station (pronounced Mitch-el-dever).

The Slow Way starts at the heart of historic Winchester (Photo 1). The walk out of the cathedral city makes good use of a recreation park.

The footpath north is on the edge of Winnall Moors Nature Research, itself on the western edge of South Downs National Park (Photo 2). I know this, and later route information, from the many helpful information boards along the way.

There’s a short urban walk through King’s Worth, and under the Basingstoke to Winchester railway line. The Slow Way then follows the route of the former Didcot, Newbury and Southampton railway.

The wooded footpath was welcome shade on a hot summer day (Photo 3). It passes a pill box that once guarded Worthy Down Camp military aerodrome.

The Slow Way then turns east, recrossing the railway above the Wallers Ash tunnel. It continues north over fields (Photo 4).

There’s a final recrossing of the railway and a footpath that heads north parallel to the line. After crossing a field with a ‘caution livestock’ sign, be vigilance for the steps on your right (Photo 5). I missed them and ended up having to climb a gate and backtrack to work out my error. This last stretch of path is narrow, with a steep drop-off to one side (Photo 6).

The Slow Way then takes lanes, followed by a mile of grassy, somewhat rutted, byway (Photo 7); to arrive at Micheldever Station.

I walked this route from Micheldever Station, back to Winchester on a beautifully sunny January day.

Leaving Micheldever Station westwards along a road with good sightlines, then lots of straightish paths to Weston Colley, where the route takes the road towards the railway. Then there's a tricky, narrow path on the right that runs parallel to the railway embankment. After crossing the River Dever, the route takes the road leads under the railway until it reaches Borough Farm. Take a right over fields, bypassing Bazeley Copse, eventually arriving at Alresford Drove.

At Waller's Ash (where the drove meets Old Stoke Road, I deviated from this route; taking a more Westerly route through South Wonston, Worthy Down and under the A34 to Andover Road.

However I know the rest of the Winmac 2 route well and it's all good - although be careful of traffic on Old Stoke Road and the approach to Winchester through Nun's Walk can be muddy.

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