Winnew three

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Beautiful walk across the South Downs from Winchester to New Arlesford taking in parts of the South Downs Way. Good length walk with some steeper parts but overall manageable for most people with reasonable fitness.
Very muddy in places but we did do the walk after a long spell of heavy rains, so not surprising really. Other than the very start walking out of Winchester and over the motorway bridge you are very much immersed into the countryside along by ways and trails , through forests and fields. Some stunning scenery as you walk over the downs.
There are no refreshments en route, so make sure you take your own, but plenty when you arrive in New Arlesford, an old market town. Once fully refreshed, you can easily take the bus back to Winchester approx 20 minutes.
Lovely walk, highly recommend it.

Follows the South Downs Way before turning North to Alresford. Almost entirely off road. Rarely impassable due to mud as the path is over freely draining chalk. Well maintained paths, hilly, but accessible to most. Refreshments at the start in Winchester and at the end in Alresford, nothing mid route. Fantastic views in places.

This route is really straightforward and easy to follow. We walked in in early Spring and the ground was muddy following a significant rainfall. This made it difficult to walk in places but it was all still just about passable. It was mainly off road, on footpaths and permissive pathways across farmland, some sections incorporated B roads/country lanes - which felt safe to walk. There is a short section across the motorway which is not the best, but quickly done.

Overall it was not too strenuous, there were some steeper stretches but nothing too onerous, just quite long. I think this would suit someone of reasonable levels of fitness.

It also felt quite exposed and open at times - great for the views but worth knowing if its a windy day.

There were no obvious places to stop for a break. We ended up sitting on the verge beside the path for our lunch. You should also bring your own food and drink as there is nowhere en-route, until the outskirts of Alresford, unless you get lucky at Cheesefoot Head which occasionally has a coffee truck. We walked mid-week and out of season so were not lucky :(

The walk was really good overall with spectacular views. I was staying in Winchester and it was very easy to catch the bus back from Alresford at the end of the walk, which was also an opportunity to see a bit more of this lovely county. I would probably do the walk again.

Good varied walk, easier walking from Winchester to Alresford rather than other way round. Can be a bit muddy at Cheesefoot Head when wet and later in summer some areas can be a bit overgrown.

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