Old Winchester Hill
Meon Valley
Children will enjoy spotting butterflies in summer, landmarks in the views and the woolly sheep grazing the hillside on this walk.
Beautiful views across the South Downs as far as the coast
The Basics
Time: 1hr 20mins
Distance: 4 km / 2.5 miles
Terrain: The outward leg is flat on mostly well surfaced trails, the paths over the hillfort are narrow and unsurfaced, the return leg of the circular walk involves a steep ascent and descent.
Pushchair: Most pushchairs should be able to get as far as the hillfort, although parts will be muddy in winter. Once there, it will be hard to get a pushchair around the hillfort, so we suggest returning the way you came.
Dogs: Under close control and on leads through sections with livestock.
Refreshments: If you walk along the South Downs Way beside the road in the direction of Warnford, you will very shortly come across Alan’s Coffee Van. We suggest checking the Facebook page as opening times seem to vary.
Toilets: There are no public toilets.
Public Transport: There is no public transport to this location.
Parking: Car park signposted off the South Downs Way with a smaller disabled car park just south of this, voluntary donation via Ringo (Postcode: GU32 1HN - W3W: ///proceeds.overused.spirit)
The path climbs through trees before reaching the ancient hill fort
Overlooking the Meon Valley, Old Winchester Hill is a National Nature Reserve with views across The South Downs as far as the Isle of Wight. The chalk grassland is covered in wild flowers and butterflies in summer and you stand a good chance of spotting birds of prey such as red kites.
The Route
1. Head through the gate from the car park, passing the gazebo filled with interpretation boards on your right. Take the path going left opposite the gazebo, passing a board introducing you to the hill on your right. The path is initially unsurfaced so can be muddy in winter, but it is usually firm and flat enough for a pushchair. The path will continue straight, going parallel to the road up to your left and with views of the Meon Valley opening up to your right. Keep going until this path hits the better surfaced disabled access path ahead. When you meet this, turn right and follow it all the way to the hill fort.
2. When you arrive at the hill fort, you will need to go through a kissing gate which has quite a wide access. On the other side is a bench and another interpretation board. This is as far as wheelchairs/pushchairs can get. Walkers can loop around the top of the hill fort, taking in the views in all directions and returning to this point.
3. To complete the circular walk, go through the little gate to the side of the main gate and head down the steps. This part of the circular route is not pushchair friendly. Continue along the narrow path along the side of the hill until you reach a black post with a green sign saying ‘circular walk’. Turn left at this sign and head down the steep hillside.
4. Go through the green metal gate at the bottom into a small woodland. Follow the path through the woodland and then go out through the gate on the other side. Follow the path as it makes its way along the side of the hill.
5. When the main path curves to the right, climb the steep hill. There is sometimes a rope marking the side of the path. Go through the gate at the top. Continue straight on and you will reach the gazebo again and the gate to the car park.
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Did you know?
On the summit of the hill was an Iron Age hill fort which was probably built in the Early or early-Middle Iron Age (600-300 BC).
If you enjoyed this walk…
…try walking up Butser Hill, another local landmark with a view
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