WALKING AND HIKING AROUND CEDAR VALLEY
Whether you’re looking for an adventurous hike or an amble to the pub, there is a scenic walk for everyone. Below are some popular walking routes and groups that can help you navigate the beautiful countryside that surrounds Cedar Valley.
Popular Country Walks
South Downs Way - the adventurers dream
The 100 miles (160 Km) long South Downs Way follows the old routes and droveways along the chalk escarpment and ridges of the South Downs.
The undulating route provides a wonderful trip for long distance walkers, riders, trail runners as well as hikers.
Whether you take on a section, or plan on doing the whole route, Cedar Valley is located just a short few miles from the path.
We particularly love the Old Winchester Hill section, right behind East Meon.
Think you can complete the full 100 miles in under 30 hours? Oxfam Trailwalker takes place in October each year and challenges you and 3 friends to complete this.
Plan your perfect section with this amazingly detailed website The Rambling Man is a great resource for mapping out your routes.
Serpent Trail - for nature lovers
The Serpent Trail is, as the name suggests, a 64-mile long serpentine route that begins in Haslemere just on the border between Sussex and Surrey and finishes at Petersfield, travelling through beautiful forests and heathland along the way.
The Serpent Trail is a lesser well-known trail in West Sussex and so you can often wander for a few miles without seeing another person. However, some of the scenery along the route is some of the best that Sussex has to offer. The Serpent Trail was opened by Chris Packham in 2005 and is maintained by a number of hard-working volunteers.
Old Winchester Hill - beautiful views and family friendly
A famous and popular beauty spots since Victorian times and beyond. The views across the valley to Beacon Hill and down to the sea are superb.
The 150 acre National Nature Reserve (NNR) was designated mainly for its chalk grassland, with many orchid species and butterflies. The extensive scrub is good for bird watching and there is also always the chance of seeing a Red Kite or Buzzard overhead. The site is managed largely by sheep grazing so dogs need to be kept under close control.
The area is rich in archaeology from the Mesolithic (stone age hunter gatherers living after the end of the Ice Age) up to WW2. Most visible are the Iron Age hill fort and the earlier Bronze Age barrows or burial mounds. There is a fully accessible trail at the southern side of the reserve with allocated disabled parking nearby, which takes you to the hill fort.
Perfect with children – read about this route from ‘The Ambling Path’ walking group here.
Meon Valley Trail - the old railway
Discover a trail that leads you through English history. Once a railway line running from Fareham to Alton transporting local livestock and agricultural produce, the trail now spans 11 miles through picturesque countryside, from West Meon in the north to Wickham in the south.
Distance: 11 miles (17.7km). 2 hours cycling / 6 hours walking (non-circular).
Route: Disused railway. No stiles. Suitable for cyclists, walkers and horse riders (carriages are only permitted north of West Walk). Mostly flat and wide path, suitable for pushchairs and mobility scooters.
Car Parking: Start from West Meon all users may start from the car park off Station Rd. Walkers can also use the footpath link from the High Street
Butser Hill - the perfect destination for families or serious fitness fanatics.
592-acres of beauty and a biological and geological Site of Special Scientific Interest.
A chalk hill, only 271 metres (889 ft) high, it qualifies as one of England’s Marilyns which are defined as peaks with a prominence of 150 metres (492 ft), as of July 2023 there were 2,010 recorded Marilyns in Britain.
With evidence of Neolithic settlements and iron age forts on Butser Hill showcasing its vast and wide history, this is the perfect place to visit for a vigorous hill walk, or a gentle 40 minute circular around the top.
Distance: 5 miles from Cedar Valley.
Car Parking: Queen Elizabeth Country Park for those wanting to scale the hillside, or park at the top for the gentle circular.
More Info - Local Walking Knowledge
Kissing Gate Walk – popular route for Cedar Valley guests only
You will find instructions in your accommodation. It is a 1 hour circuit around the Estate, with beautiful views over East Meon.
WALKING GROUPS
Below are some amazingly knowledgeable local walking groups:
- Ambling Path for family friendly, child-focused walks around Hampshire.
- Rural Strides for guided, knowledge-based walking groups.
- Meon Trails are guided walks around the Meon Valley.
Strava and AllTrails are brilliant apps that map out popular routes on your phone.