Walking Forum

Regions - Trip reports, destination advice, recommended routes, etc. => Rest of England => Topic started by: ChrisWM on 07:39:49, 27/05/13

Title: Walks around Salisbury
Post by: ChrisWM on 07:39:49, 27/05/13
Does anyone know the general situation about walks within easy reach of Salisbury; variety, types of terrain, etc?  In terms of style of walking, my wife and I found 11.2 miles in just over 4 hours a real stretch when we were on the Ridgeway on Saturday (our new record) so we're more ramblers than long-distance hikers.


Ta.
Title: Re: Walks around Salisbury
Post by: alewife on 14:03:21, 27/05/13
There are a number of websites with Wiltshire walks on;


http://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/things-to-do/outdoor-activities/walks (http://www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/things-to-do/outdoor-activities/walks)


http://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walks/walks/walk_list/Wiltshire/ (http://www.walkingbritain.co.uk/walks/walks/walk_list/Wiltshire/)




http://www.wiltshirelaf.org.uk/parish-walks-index.htm (http://www.wiltshirelaf.org.uk/parish-walks-index.htm)


These are some I have used but there are others just a google away


The Imber Range Path is a long circular route but would lend itself to walking just sections - its generally easy walking with some gentle rolling hills. Avebury has a variety of nice  walks, and Tisbury, Wardour Castles is a nice walk. I have also walked from Stonehenge (Woodhenge) to Glastonbury (via Mere and Langford Lakes, I think its called) and some parts of that make some nice walking. Have you got the OS maps for the area.


Bit of a piecemeal selection but hope that helps.



Title: Re: Walks around Salisbury
Post by: JoshCarter on 22:07:25, 27/05/13
Hi Chris
This is my first post here as I live in Salisbury and felt informed enough to reply. Salisbury has quite a good range of options for walking. I don't know much you can travel about the area but the New Forest is about a 25-30 minute drive away. It has a huge range of routes on offer. Much of it is open access land so you can follow any of the numerous tracks across it and decide on your own routes. Despite the name, not all of it is forested - in fact, much of it is open heathland. There's too many routes to list here but a quick search online should bring up a few: my favourite spots are near Bolderwood, Godshill and Beaulieu.

Closer to Salisbury, you can take a wander through the fields and forests along the Clarendon Way which would eventually take you to Winchester, but that's more than one day's walk! Around Downton there are some nice walks along the river and out through the fields.

Again, if you have access to transport you can head further north into Wiltshire and explore parts of Salisbury Plain, but much of that is limited access.
As for difficulty, it's not particularly difficult: there's the odd steep spot but much of it is gentle rolling countryside.

Hope this helps.
Title: Re: Walks around Salisbury
Post by: White Horse Walker on 17:52:51, 28/05/13
This is a good site for walks in Wiltshire - only a couple close to Salisbury though. http://www.walkweb.org.uk/route_selection_-_wiltshire.htm (http://www.walkweb.org.uk/route_selection_-_wiltshire.htm)


And the AA book has some too - also online, eg Amesbury. http://www.theaa.com/walks/amesbury-and-the-woodford-valley-421196 (http://www.theaa.com/walks/amesbury-and-the-woodford-valley-421196)  


Enjoy your walks, Wiltshire is a lovely county for walking.   8)
Title: Re: Walks around Salisbury
Post by: Trenchfoot on 19:08:14, 28/05/13
No expert by any stretch but I enjoyed an amazing walk last Autumn in and around Avebury. The area seems to ouzing with Neolithic history in amongst great big open views and countryside.  O0
Title: Re: Walks around Salisbury
Post by: PAG1952 on 20:00:35, 28/05/13
Baring mind that I did last this as part of a D of E training walk in the 1960's, and assuming the buses still run from Salisbury to Fovant.
Take said bus to Fovant (or a bit further if you want a longer walk)  and make your up to the downs above Chiselbury and back to Harnham along the chalk ridge passing above the WW1 regimental badges, and Salisbury racecourse on the way.
I seem to remember this being about 15
Title: Re: Walks around Salisbury
Post by: JoshCarter on 13:34:03, 29/05/13
The buses still run to Fovant although I think there's only a couple each day. It's definitely a good spot for a walk. Very pretty and the chalk badges are interesting. I'd certainly recommend it. The route that runs to Salisbury is called the Shaftesbury Drove. I've started walking it from the Salisbury end but it was rather unpleasant: absolutely loads of fly tipping, muddy (used by 4x4s) and a bit dark and damp. This is a real shame, as it's an ancient track that would be excellent for a long walk or bike ride.
Title: Re: Walks around Salisbury
Post by: ChrisWM on 19:25:23, 29/05/13
Thanks for all the replies, all.  Much appreciated.   O0