Woksan one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

Wokingham to Sandhurst 1 (Woksan 1) review.

I’m impressed how well this Slow Way avoids the busy roads around Wokingham.

Note: I walked Sandhurst to Wokingham.

The route from Sandhurst Station technically follows the Blackwater Valley Path. Unfortunately, it is an urban stretch away from the River Blackwater.

The Slow Way briefly visits the river, next to the Horseshoe Lake. There is a short section of the Three Castles Path, and then a wooded footpath and quiet road (Photos 1 & 2).

There are two attractive woodland walks on the way north towards Wokingham: Simons Wood and the Gorrick Plantation (Photos 3 & 4).

Finally, the Slow Way takes a byway and shaded footpath into Wokingham (Photo 5). It emerges close to the centre of Wokingham for amenities, and a short final walk to Wokingham Train Station.

This is a skillfully selected route that branches off noisy Wokingham streets quite early - right before the second roundabout behind a small bridge. It then leads through quiet paved roads as well as fields and forest footpaths with an uneven surface. Good shoes and steady steps are required even though the whole route is mostly on a flat terrain. Most stretches of the way are protected by trees so it is pleasant even in hot weather. I did not have difficulties in following the route with OS maps. The only spot where I missed the right turn was in Ambarrow Lane where I went straight to an inviting public footpath leading to Ambarrow Court where had to retrace my steps. Some gates on the way are somewhat narrow and it helps to be slim.

Nice route but the first section out of Wokingham is not too pleasant along the roads. Finding the start of the off road path quite difficult; it is between the BP Garage and entrance into Tesco but there is no footpath sign, it just looks like a private drive.
2 or 3 sections requiring a short walk along narrow lanes with no footpath and crossing busy roads as the footpath runs out! One section has a fairly steep downhill through a gulley but generally the path is good and with no major changes of elevation.
Once out of the built up areas it provides a good route through varied landscapes but does require frequent map checking to make sure you are on the right path.

This is a lovely walk, although the first 700m are along a very busy road. It isn't particularly challenging, with only one steep slope. The first 5.5km is mostly wide paths with good surfaces, although barriers at the beginning and partway through would make it challenging for a wheelchair or mobility scooter to get through. The next 3.5km can be very muddy when wet, and is rutted and with lots of tree roots. There are three kissing gates in the field where the path follows the Three Castles Path.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.