Lengthy Linear : Petersfield to Rowlands Castle (Hampshire)

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Lowland and Hill Walks
Apr 29
2017

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37km (23 miles)~10 hours

Heading east through the outskirts of Petersfield we pick up the Serpent Trail out to Durford Abbey Farm and West Heath Common.  Here we take the Sussex Border Path south, passing through Quebec(!) and then up on to the South Downs.

We go east along the South Downs Way on to Harting Downs, with great views of South Harting below us.   We briefly depart from the South Downs way to take the climb up on to Beacon Hill where we'll probably stop for a scenic lunch if the weather is good, otherwise we'll just stop for breath and views.

Leaving Beacon Hill we briefly pick up the South Downs Way again before turning south and following various paths through the woods to Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve.

Kingley Vale is a fascinating area, with a mix of planted beech and ancient yews.  Some of the yews are said to be 2,000 years old and their close foliage makes for some atmospheric walking.  Also in Kingley Vale we find the Devil's Humps - four impressive Bronze age barrows.

After the humps we keep following the ridge and then drop down of the ridge just beyond Walderton - finally on the flat home stretch !  The last section takes us passed Stansted House and along The Avenue to arrive into Rowlands Castle - where we'll probably slake our thirst at a local establishment.

For your edification:

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