There is a bit of greenway (use caution if it has recently rained as it will be muddy) closer to the Lordshill end, but most of the walk is along an urban commercial corridor (lots of shops, ethnic markets, food takeaway, pubs...), which can be vibrant and fun if you're in the mood for that sort of environment....

Laura Zurowski

As other reviewers have noted, this is a noisy walk along a heavily traveled roadway that has a combination of industrial and commercial businesses. There is a bit of a residential section right as you leave Southampton, but that's about it. The reason I'm giving this route 4 stars is that if you're at all interested in transportation infrastructure, these 6kms offer a real smorgasbord! :-) I'm not a cyclist, but it was amazing to see how designated bike & pedestrian lanes/sidewalks can be incorporated into an area that has heavy vehicle traffic. It was also very nice to reach the end and find a nice coffee shop for a bit of refreshment and battery recharge. Photos of the traveling conditions (because there were a few hiccups along the way) will be included in my survey....

Laura Zurowski

The only part that was a bit tricky in my OS Maps app was when leaving the Southampton Sports Centre, the directions lead toward Dunkirk Road and then make a tight V heading back toward Lordswood Gardens but there didn't seem to be a path to get there. I had to walk up the steep hill leading back to the car park for the Southampton Sports Centre Bowling Club and then walk through another car park to reach Hill Lane....

Laura Zurowski

Nice mix of urban walking on sidewalks and natural trails. The brookside trail in the back of the Polygon School is lovely, but that also means if it's been raining, there will be mud! Plan your visit accordingly. :-) Same goes for the Lordsdale Greenway....

Laura Zurowski

Not pretty, but efficient....

jonathansbean

It's urban in nature, except for the northern section through the greenway, so don't expect peace and quiet and woodland paths. But for a route that connects people and places, it works and would be accessible to most....

jonathansbean

The section between Eastleigh and Itchen Valley Country park was very narrow due to vegetation growth (don't wear shorts if you don't like being stung by nettles), at times we had to crouch quite low to get under branches etc. Unlike mentioned in other reviews the path was very dry. The Bittern to Southampton central section was much more accessible and included places to sit and drink before moving on....

Simon Ferguson

The section between Eastleigh and Itchen Valley Country park was very narrow due to vegetation growth (don't wear shorts if you don't like being stung by nettles), at times we had to crouch quite low to get under branches etc. Unlike mentioned in other reviews the path was very dry. The Bittern to Southampton central section was much more accessible and included places to sit and drink before moving on....

Simon Ferguson

Things get interesting when you pick up the Itchen Navigation Trial pathway, where the pathway becomes very narrow and overgrown and tricky to negotiate in places, with plenty of obstacles to keep you on your toes. Combined with the narrow and neglected towpaths, plenty of buzzy things buzzing around your head made the stretch along the Navigation Trial feel a little claustrophobic and a bit of a slog at times....

snail

Netley Common and Shoreburs Greenway are lovely places to walk, and I'd echo the previous reviewer and suggest carrying on to the end of the Greenway if you have the time and energy. The spectacular views from the Itchen Bridge are the icing on the cake....

cathw

Echoing what the other reviewers have said, the route directs walkers to a nonexistent path at the southern end of Rollesbrook Greenway, and to a locked gate in Vinery Gardens. In all other respects it's an excellent route, and I've submitted a corrected version as Lorsou Four which hopefully sorts out these issues....

cathw

Lorsou Four is not a direct route (hence four stars rather than five) but makes up for it by being an attractive route maximising the use of green spaces, and I would happily walk it again in either direction....

cathw

I enjoyed walking this route, however it is definitely one to avoid after prolonged and heavy rainfall, as extended stretches of the Itchen Navigation Trail towpath are flooded and impassable. When I walked this route yesterday, the water flowed over the top of my wellies! That being said, it is a pleasant route and one that I will walk again in the spring / summer season when it should be drier....

snail

I didn't follow this route exactly as I turned right after crossing the Itchen Bridge and walked down through Woolston to Weston Shore where I picked up the start of Shoreburs Greenway and followed this until it rejoined the route at Sholing, following the start/end of the Itchen Way....

David B

As other reviewers have found, the Vinery Gardens route isn't viable (locked gate in photo), so you can either turn off a bit earlier and go down a steep dip and then up again onto what I think is Oakfield Gardens or continue on the Greenway as I did onto Dale Road. I also had a problem following the path towards the Southampton end, where the route appears to go through a part of the Rollesbrook Greenway that doesn't have a path....

thiswormjim

I added a few deviations, inspired by Soueas 2 and by the route description of St James Way, the pilgrims route from Reading to Southampton, which ends at God's House Tower....

pmostert

I walked it in the heart of the dry period of early August and that made new routes possible in the Itchen Valley Nature reserve. I had a lovely day, walking from Winchester to Southampton in one go....

pmostert

Links up a good number of green spaces but there are long sections beside roads, so not always quiet. Some parts of Shoreburs Greenway and Netley Common can become muddy in winter but nice and shady in summer. There are also a couple of road crossings that do not have pedestrian crossings (although most do)....

Simon W

The path heads westwards to the boundary of the New Forest, bears right, and then turns right at Bell Lane. The path then heads out until a sharp right along a bridlepath, and it is mainly bridlepaths that this route follows from here on in (when not on the road). Bear left once past the large houses on the RHS and follow the paths until you come out onto Lime Kiln Lane. Follow a couple of small roads and head up to the ESSO terminal gates, and the road eventually gives way to the path on your left, keeping the quarry on your left. On the main road, bear right and follow the road past the fire station, under the railway bridge, and past the Lidl on your right. As you hit the old Bar Gate turn left, right at the mini roundabout, and follow the road until you get to Asda....

Paul Wright

This is not an attractive walk but it is definitely the most efficient way to walk from Totton to Southampton and is very safe and accessible. Whilst one is walking beside the main road there is good separation from the traffic, and whilst some of the pavements are shared between pedestrians and cyclists we did not find this to be a problem....

Karen M

It's definitely not a pretty route, and next/near to busy roads the whole way but if you are trying to walk from Southampton to anywhere in the New Forest then this is certainly the most direct route avoiding Ferries....

MarkB

We did this walk from Blackfield to the Hythe Pier. You would have to add time to wait for the Ferry, then 15 min for the Ferry, then the walk to the train station which I have done many times and is at least 20 minutes. So to do this walk all the way from Blackfield to Central Station in Southampton will take you close to 3 hours depending on how long you have to wait for the ferry....

acroutham

Follows the Itchen navigation path until you reach Bitterne. Suitable for walkers only from Eastleigh to Bitterne due to narrow paths, routes and can be very muddy after prolonged rainfall. From Bitterne to Southampton route is suitable access for all....

nanimal

Not as off road as Soueas two but allows access to refreshment facilities at Itchen Valley Country Park...

John

More off road but misses refreshments potential at Itchen Valley Country Park...

John

My u3a walking group used this route on 23/9/21.Weather was fine and no rain for at least 3 weeks; therefore dry underfoot....

Nick Hammond

Easy walking on roads and surfaced paths for the first section, then a pleasant woodland walk following the Itchen Way along the route of the Itchen Navigation. Can get very muddy in wet weather. The route map appears to take an unnecessary detour and probably needs to be corrected....

cathw

At this time I can't really rate this route as it takes you to a gate which is locked as it is private access to an allotment site....

Cloud burst

A lovely route once you cross the Itchen at St Denys and then can walk the Itchen Navigation all the way to Eastleigh which is delightful. Would really recommend as I walk and cycle this route often. You do need to be careful in winter as the river path can be flooded....

James Brown

A route of about half pavement walking and then half away from road taking in greenway and Netley Common. I can't think of a better way to get from Southampton to Hedge End....

James Brown

Really surprised to see this route suggested especially when sections are along roads where there are no pavements. I will be suggesting a better route...

James Brown

Most direct route, but I wouldn't like to walk this way, as though you are not directly on the side of the A35 you are walking parallel to it along main cycle route and through industrial sites. Main car and cycle network out of Southampton, so not really walker friendly or enjoyable....

James Brown

It is 100% a passenger/car ferry service. www.redfunnel.co.uk...

x333xxx

The Red Funnel company runs ferries from Southampton to Cowes (there are other ferry services to the Isle of Wight from Portsmouth and Lymington)....

NiobeMelon