18 October 2008
Car Park: Hampshire County Council Free Car Park
Map: Explorer 119 Meon Valley, Portsmouth, Gosport and Fareham
Map ref for Car Park: SU575117
To reach the car park, if coming along the A334 into Wickham, turn at the lights to drive through the village square and follow the sign for free parking at the far end. If coming into Wickham from the A32, turn west into Wickham under the railway bridge opposite the Church and turn right at the free parking sign at the top of the hill opposite the village square.
At the T-junction, turn right and the car park is on the left.
From the car park cut through to the Trail past an information panel. To the right the Trail goes over a bridge above the River Meon and heads south to Knowle Junction where it stops in a dead end. Turn left, therefore, along this easy, flat walk between wooded slopes. It is a good idea to wear sturdy footwear as the path can be muddy in places.
Occasionally the Trail passes over the River Meon as it meanders its way south to the Solent; and under the red brick road bridges partly hidden by trees.
At the second of these bridges, pass through and on the right hand side find a steep path curving up to a lane. This is now the Pilgrims’ Trail. Turn left here past houses and woods to the end of the lane beside a pub. The road ahead is the A32. Keep to the left side of the lane and where there are white squares painted on the A32 cross to the entrance, almost concealed, to a footpath between the trees. This is the continuation of the Pilgrims’ Trail through West Walk and winds through the trees, helpfully waymarked in several places.
Eventually arrive at a five-way crossroads. Earlier this year, this was all wooded. Now, however, the loggers have been in and cut down a swathe of woodland to the south.
Turn along the broad track left. In about 150 yards take the path left which goes downhill and round to the right over a woodland stream. Climb up towards a zigzag gate but take the path to the right about halfway up. This goes down and across the stream again before climbing once more. As the way progresses the path can become extremely muddy. It is possible in places to go around the mud up on the low banks either side, but the small tracks tend to come back down again. The edges of the track may be less boggy than the centre; again, good sturdy footwear and an indifference to getting muddy are needed here.
At last, the path reaches a crossroads with a broader way. Cross over and continue straight ahead. This track is much better underfoot. Follow this to the next crossroads, which will be the Pilgrim’s Trail again. Bear right and then left along the left hand edge of the cleared area seen previously from the far end at the five-way crossroads.
This path can also be muddy but not as bad as before. Ignore all turns to left and right. Leaving the cleared area behind, the path climbs up through pinewoods and at the top of the slope comes out into an area of bracken and hedgerows girdled by trees. Looking back from the grass track here, the pines rise majestically to the sky; on this particular day, the sun was westering and the light was warm, autumnal gold that gave even the dark green pines a touch of gilt.
Keep along this good, grass track which comes down to the road again. Pass around the barrier and turn left along the road on a good grass verge. Pass a low grey building on the left and ahead see a sign for Chiphall Lake Trout Fishery. Cross the road and head along the lane to the fishery. The lane crosses over the Meon again, with pretty views along the river into the trees. It was here I saw stoats in June and a deer passed behind me.
Cross the bridge and pass the entrance to the Lakes heading towards farm buildings at the top of the lane. At the farm buildings bear left to pass behind one bearing a notice regarding no through traffic, and that the bridleway is open. Pass left of a metal gate and see the railway bridge ahead. Cross this bridge and on the other side there is a wooden fence with a gap in it. Beyond are two paths down to part of the Meon Valley Trail walked earlier.
At the bottom of whichever path you choose, turn right to pass under the same bridge and head back south towards Wickham and the car park.
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Hi how many miles how is this walk and how long will you estimate to do, is it family friendly and easy - moderate walk, planning to do it with my 5 kids aged 17 - 11, would appreciate it if you could reply- shame you did not publish photos at each point.
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