Southampton

I didn't follow this route exactly as I turned right after crossing the Itchen Bridge and walked down through Woolston to the Weston Shore where I picked up the start of Shoreburs Greenway and followed this until it rejoined the route at Sholing . Whilst this extended the walk slightly I feel it added to its enjoyment as you get to see the Solent and then essentially walk through a ribbon of green all the way up to Netley Common. I enjoyed this walk as I didn't know this greenway existed and like the other reviewers feel it's a good route between Southampton and Hedge End. For the shortest and quickest route follow the route on the map (more road), for a more scenic route (more green) walk down to Weston Shore and pick up the Greenway there. Photos: Weston shore, Netley Common and park in Southampton...

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@ntlworld.com

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