A 14 mile circular walk that takes in a variety of terrain with great views over Sixpenny Handley and Cranbourne. For those interested, this route follows the Cranbourne Chase Circular 100 cache power trail.
We parked on the road through Cranbourne and walked a few hundred metres to start this route. Almost immediately, you pass Cranborne Church, built between the 12th and 15th centuries, followed by Cranborne Manor, originally a medieval hunting lodge founded by Henry VIII and extended by Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury between 1607 and 1611.
14 - 16 Miles
Moderate Walk
6 - 7 Miles
Moderate Walk
A 6.8 Miles route around Penshurst and Chiddinstone Hoath. A mixture of terrain from sweeping hills and fields to woodland with a couple of steep areas and 2 roads to cross.
A pub is on the route.
7 - 8 Miles
Moderate Walk
A 7.8 mile circular walk around Ashford Hill. Free parking is available along Little Knowle Hill road but don't park in the passing places.
A pleasant walk with a variety of terrain. Can get muddy in the winter.
6 - 7 Miles
Strenuous Hike
A steep and rewarding 6.2 mile out and back route form the campsite at Cwmdu to Pen Cerrig Calch, a 701m Hewitt or Nuttall (hill).
The route leaves the campsite and climbs, through and interesting farm with a resident stone mason, and up onto the open land of the hill itself. A steep climb up the escarpment brings you to Pen Gloch-y-pibwr and a large stone cairn. From here the ridge can be followed all the way to the summit.
Looking northwards, you can see Pen Allt-mawr, a touch higher at 719m.
8 - 9 Miles
Moderate Hike
A great, 8 mile circular walk to reach the well known Pen y fan peak at 886m and the highest peak in South Wales.
4 - 5 Miles
Moderate Walk
A 4.2 mile walk around Abbotts Ann and Bulbury, passing close to the watercress beds and Pillhill Brook.
2 - 3 Miles
Easy walk
A pleasant 3 mile circular route that follows the River Lodden and River Lyde.
When we walked the route in 2012, there had been heavy rain and flooding, and the (aptly named) flood meadow was well under water. Normally it isn't. Can get a bit muddy though.
Nothing too hilly or wild. The nearby village of Sherfield on Loddon is well worth a visit for the two pubs and village shop (that houses an excellent butcher).
6 - 7 Miles
Moderate Walk
An interesting 6.6 mile circular walk from the lovely village of Longparish. The walk follows an interesting back road before following the route of the A303 for a short while then bearing away amongst a multitude of fields and woodland.
The route passes some interesting features including a disused railway. All in all an enjoyable walk.
Free parking is available in Longparish and the is a local pub for refreshments.
1 - 2 Miles
Easy walk
A short 2 mile jaunt around the woods and tracks of Wick Hill near Finchampstead. Some nice houses to be seen on the route. The walk itself is pretty level and included 2 kissing gates. Car parking on Kiln Ride, near the Barbers.
5 - 6 Miles
Strenuous Walk
A hilly 5.7 mile circular route with the possibility of extensions. We parked in the public car park at the viewpoint at the top of the hill.
The walk has some great views and drops down to the village of Kingsclere, where you'll find a choice of pubs and a couple of shops, before following the gallops, back across the flood meadows before climbing up the renowned Watership Down and circling round back to the car park.
You can quite often see paragliders circling above you during the walk. You'll notice that there's two minor wrong turns. Ignore these.