We did the reverse of this walk- Winchester to Kings Somborne and it was really easy to follow the route (as getting out of Winchester we had the benefit of local knowledge!) It was fairly muddy in some places, especially coming down from Farley Mount....

The Great Woggle JOGLE

The route itself is probably fine, but it needs redrawing as this just straight lines and does not actually show which way to walk (see uploaded image for example). It is not an accurate depiction of the route, and therefore the distance is way off....

panifex

It then leaves the Test Way and follows the River Test to Whitchurch. After crossing the River Test at Chilbolton Cow Common, the route crosses the road, turns to the left for a short while, then takes a track on the right to climb to follow the course of the old railway above Wherwell. As it leaves the village it turns north up a track in a valley, then kinks right through the trees, and goes north-east along a treeline, and follows a path along the edge of Harewood Forest. Still following Test Way signs, the path turns off the road on the left, before turning right and dropping across a field and across the B3048 and down into the pretty hamlet of Forton. At the end of Forton the path goes across a field, past the church and school and onto the Plough Inn (which is recommended if you want refreshments!) At this point the route leaves the Test Way, and follows the main road through the village. At Mill Lane the route goes through the high hedge on the left, and out onto open fields, which lead to a bridge over the Test, where you may see trout, herons and maybe a kingfisher. At a junction, the route goes through the hedge on the far side of the road, and follows the field edge over the hill and down once again to the Test....

Jell

The 'boat' section between the golf course and the bridge under the A303 is narrow in places and now deeply rutted in places....

Soleil

This is a long route and there aren't many obvious seats/benches, though there are a couple mid-way along the route. You can either take the road route, or detour into the water meadows. Water meadows (intended) route:. That will take you onto the intended path through the water meadows....

thiswormjim

It is a nice, mostly off-road trail with some beautiful views and it takes a good route into Winchester avoiding the cars and along the river to the Cathedral....

Robbie West

It follows footpaths through woodlands, forests, fields and goes over some beautiful chalk stream rivers - perfect to cool off along the way. Highly recommend....

Robbie West

Path is mostly wide, gravel/dirt tracks with a few thinner single-track sections. Few short road sections but nothing that felt unsafe. Good transport links to Salisbury and a little corner shop in King's Somborne for a snack if you're walking on to Winchester!...

alexj3322

For the road walking segments, about half had a parallel path I could hop over to (took a little creativity, but it was fun exploring), and the other half was just on the road....

mtormey

The stretch on the A3057 is pretty uncomfortable, but it seems to be unavoidable and it's pretty short....

mtormey

Instead of following Sarum Road, there are miles of beautiful and fairly direct paths through West Wood and Crab Wood not marked here but just north of the main road, which pass through beautiful nature reserve....

spadgershat

Shops are available in Pitton, Middle Winterslow, Broughton and King's Somborne, there's a very good pub in Broughton (The Tally Ho) and King's Somborne has bus routes that connect with plenty of places....

spadgershat