Meon Valley 'Little Switzerland' South Downs Explorer - 17 miles (27 kilometres)

Today's Love To Hike Plus is another of the faster-paced Love To Hikes for those who prefer to hike 15% faster than the normal Love To Hike pace.

The circular 17 miles (27 kilometres) route explores the beautiful rolling Meon Valley in the South Downs National Park to the north west and south west of Petersfield in Hampshire. There are 450m of climbing.

Highlights include Ashford Hangers Nature Reserve, one of Hampshire's most beautiful woodland areas, known as 'Little Switzerland,' due to its stunningly beautiful scenery and panoramic views of the surrounding South Downs countryside.

Lunch: Picnic.

Drivers: Large car park at Petersfield station.

Toilets: There are toilets at Petersfield station and in East Meon.

Price: £12.00 per person for a full day’s hike guided by Callum Bisley.

Note: The price of the hike excludes transport, parking, and lunch.

Mobile for the day: 07902 430204.

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/527954508076020/ - please join.

ROUTE

The route will be hiked in the opposite direction to the description below.

From the station, we head south west to cross the A3 London to Portsmouth Road as we make our way to Stroudbridge Farm and the outskirts of Stroud village.

We continue in a south westerly direction from Stroud until we reach the picturesque village of East Meon, the highest in the Meon Valley, which is surrounded by the South Downs National Park. At East Meon, there will be a toilet stop.

From East Meon, we head north through the village of Lower Bordean, passing the villages of Foxfield Green and High Cross.

To the northwest of High Cross, we turn south east to climb Shoulder of Mutton Hill and pass through Ashford Hangers Nature Reserve.

Ashford Hangers Nature Reserve is one of Hampshire's most beautiful woodland areas of beech, ash, and yew on steep chalk hillsides, with areas of chalk grassland and a treasure trove of rare plants.

The name 'Little Switzerland' has been given to this part of Hampshire due to its stunningly beautiful scenery and panoramic views of the surrounding South Downs countryside.

Note: 'Hanger' comes from the Old English 'hangra' meaning a wooded slope.

From Ashford Hangers, we continue south to pass through the village of Steep as we make our return to Petersfield station.

LUNCH

Lunch will be a picnic at a suitable point between 1230-1300.

TRAINS

Depart: Leaves London Waterloo at 0755 to arrive in Petersfield at 0932. You can also join this train at Clapham Junction (0805), Woking (0855), and Guildford (0903).

Return: Return trains to London Waterloo leave Petersfield at 17, 39, and 48 minutes past the hour and take 70 or 80 minutes depending on the number of stops.

Train fare: The off-peak return fare from London Waterloo to Petersfield is £28.50. With GroupSave, the price per person for a group of 3 to 9 is reduced by 34% to only £18.81.

If you would like to form a group, just post a comment on this site and arrange to meet under the clock at London Waterloo by 0740.

DRIVERS

Petersfield station is a short distance from the A3 that links London to Portsmouth.

WHAT TO BRING

· Hand sanitiser

· Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots that have been broken-in, ideally with ankle support. No trainers.

· Waterproof jacket: whatever the weather, we hike.

· Water: 2 litres minimum

· Pre-packed picnic lunch and snacks: it’s a long hike

· Day pack

· Long trousers

· Sunglasses and sun hat if sunny

· Gaiters or waterproof over trousers if rain is expected

· Dry base layer for the journey home

· Camera

PRICE

£12.00 per person payable in advance upon booking for a full day’s hike guided by Callum Bisley.

BOOKING

To book, click on the ‘Yes’ button just below ‘Are you going?’ in the top right hand corner. You can pay from either your PayPal account or with your debit or credit card.

CANCELLATIONS

When you cancel seven or more days before a Love To Hike, you receive a £12.00 credit towards any future Love To Hike event.

DISCLAIMER

When participating in any outdoor activity, there is always the risk of injury and death. When hiking with Love To Hike, you acknowledge that:

1. You are fully aware of all of the risks involved and accept full responsibility for whatever may happen to you during or after the hike.
2. You are in good health, ‘fit to hike’ and capable of keeping the pace for the duration of the hike.
3. You shall wear sturdy hiking boots that have been broken-in, are in good condition (not brand new), and clothing that is appropriate for the time of year and any weather conditions that may arise during the hike.
4. You shall not hold responsible, nor pursue any legal, injury or financial compensation claim against Love To Hike and or the hike leader for anything that may happen to you during or after the hike.