Walked from Devizes to Calne on 1/9/2023.The climb from Devizes gave fine views from the top of Roundway Hill but after reaching the outskirts of Headington the walk deteriorated.The footpath at Church Farm,ST99966 66091was obstructed by large bales of straw and there appeared no way through, so the walk continued down the lane and turning first left brought us back on route. Several fields were then found to covered in tall maize and detours were made the get back on route.Stile in hedge ST99729 67643 was overgrown and difficult to get through. The path at copse ST 99819 68623 was non existent and after battling though past old pheasant fences and brambles there was no way through to route and again a detour was forced....

Pete

Having walked and surveyed Calroy one, I found it particularly challenging in the section between RWB and Hilmarton, and having also undertaken Chiroy one, I then compiled this route as an alternative which cuts out all the problems....

Brian

Prior to undertaking this route, I read this review, and was concerned that my walk was to be one of much tribulation. I have created an alternative route which avoids the first eight issues, but will not upload until I know the route is achievable....

Brian

The route out of Calne was easy to follow and we soon arrived at the junction with the road to Compton Bassett. From Avebury to Marlborough the route was also easy to follow, although, the section across Fyfield Down (after leaving the Wessex Ridgeway path – Photo 2) appeared to have no waymarkers and could be trickier in poor visibility....

Ursula

Calmar one has been superseded by Calmar two as a result of the new housing estate ever expanding to the east of Calne. Ignore this route...

Brian

Like Calmar one the route passes through Compton Bassett which has a good pub ( just off route ), and many facilities( cafe, pub, buses, toilets etc ) in Avebury ( within the middle third ). Like all towns, there are a number of routes in/out, and personally in Calne I would prefer, bearing right at St Marys Church, then left up Kingsbury St into The Green, continue up Horsebrook, then right following a track alongside the Marden, this then comes out on Brewers Lane, where you turn left rejoining Anchor Rd at SU 003 705 I appreciate this sounds a bit convoluted, but I didn't think it merited another Calmar route....

Brian

Off route, and halfway, there are exceptional views from Kings Play Hill (access land), The Plantation, Beacon Hill (access land), and Roundway Hill Covert....

DaveYearsley

Immediately after this the route follows the road into the pretty village of Compton Bassett (nice looking pub - the White Horse) for about a mile...

Snailblakes

There is a short section on a quiet country lane, but otherwise the route is car free....

Chrischipp

There is the Ivy Pub and Convenience Store mid route ( check for opening days/times ) The paved sections in Calne and Devizes are fine, but Calne runs alongside the busy A4....

Brian

The route has two pubs ( both serve food ) and 1 good shop, together with bus stops, bench, and public phone box The section which lets the route down, is the 1 mile section on pavement alongside the A4, which is very busy with all traffic travelling at 60 mph...

Brian

I concur completely with the two previous reviews, it is a benign walk which could be completed by pushchairs and rugged mobility scooters as the path surface is either tarmac or compacted gravel with grit topping....

Brian

The road section near Heddington Wick is a minor road, which is used as a rat run, and cars travel at speed, ditto Back Lane into Sandy Lane. The crossing of the A342 in Sandy Lane needs to be undertaken carefully, as the road is busy, and there is limited visibility The overall ascent of the walk is 600'...

Brian

I've walked this route many times and is a favourite with local walkers, even meriting a mention in a recent Country Walking magazine....

Michelle Chapman

I ran the route and enjoyed it, unfortunately leaving Calne at grid reference SU0065371217 a new housing estate is being built and I had to navigate off route for a little....

darren1

The route takes you through a field that had a lot of very excitable cows in it....

AeroAli

Whilst the route is largely the same as Melcal one, it removes the illegal element through the Spye Park Estate...

Brian

The vast majority is off-road, on a National Cycle Route that uses a disused railway line....

Stephenwalking