The day was overcast but dry ... so no need for the wellingtons today. I planned a walk along a section of the Meon Valley trail - this follows the old railway line from Fareham to Alton. Most of the bit above the A272 to Alton is not accessible, and I knew that the van would not fit in the car park at West Meon, so I planned to start at Exton (where the South Downs Way crosses the line). I also thought that I would walk back up the line (as it was easier when tired than to start out along it). So the route I chose wound across and down parallel to the line meeting up with the Allan King Way. Down the AKW to the edge of the forest of Bere, where I would cross over to the West Wood and hence to the old railway line. Finishing up back along the line.
I parked in a small lay-by at the entrance to Exton just off the A32. I knew this from previous visits as it was where one of the SDW routes crossed the valley. Then I followed the road into the village and back across the A32 into Meonstoke.
I crossed under the old railway and continued along Stock's lane, then Pound lane. There was a maintenance crew working on the steps up to the old line on each side of the road.
At some houses where Pound lane turned back towards Meonstoke, I followed the byway along the side of a slope. the track turned around the slope and merged onto a farm track.
The track came out onto a back road (New road) along past a telecoms tower. Leaving the road on a path into the field beside it to cut off a corner.
Back over the road and into a ploughed field (luckily the path was still visible. Through a farmyard and down Sheardley Lane.
Still on the back road past Wallops Wood farm (now industrial units), and over the B2150, and onto Long road.
I left the back road onto a farm track climbing the small ridge to the left, initially very gently but then got much steeper.
Over the ridge, the path joined the Allan King Way at a crossroads of paths, through some scrubby woods.
More back roads (this time Hambledon Lane) passing Hoe Cross farm then into the fields after passing a small farm.
Through a crop field, first along the hedge then over the middle. Arriving at the edge of Hole Farm. Here I could have gone between the buildings and gardens, but chose the option by-pass route around the edge.
Over Hole lane and through the fields, with a strange turn at the top of a rise. Coming out on a green lane.
A staggered zigzag and into the woods beside the Paddocks, which led down to Kelanne stud. The path went around the buildings on a slightly overgrown path, but ;luckily marked.
A very scrubby series of horse fields led to bent farm (a contrast to the stud fields!). Along Bent lane until the AKW turned into the woods.
A series of paths along the field fences
The paths came out onto Forest road at a place called Worlds end, and down to the pub. This back road was actually quite busy and the traffic fought for space along it.
A second pub less than a mile form the first continued the fight with the traffic up to and across Shoot Hill.
At Shoothill Lodge I followed a dirt track leading into a forestry harvesting operation in Kiln Wood. This was marked as the Pilgrims trail.
A zigzag in the wood - I could have followed a path cutting the corner but this was lost in the harvesting turmoil. Then through Goathouse Copse.
The path crossed Trampers lane and down a private road opposite. A well established fairy ring on the verge.
The path passed through Little forest and out onto a farm track leading to Hundred acres. Along the back road (hundred acres road) to the forestry England car park
No barrier but payment required at the large car park. I followed the major track into the forest (West Walk) still on the pilgrims trail.
past the exercise area and down the major forest track.
The pilgrims trail left the major forest tracks to cut over to the Roebuck Inn and the A32. Along the back road (Kingsmead) beside the pub
As the back road crossed the Meon Valley trail I dropped down a path onto the old railway track
Following the track was tunnel vision - there were very few views to each side, just the track disappearing into the distance. Occasional info panels gave details about items alongside - this one is about the chalk stream.
Another info panel gave details about the sidings at Droxford
Then a diversion aroudn the privately owned station house - all fenced off and just glimpses of the station and signal box.
Back on the track now snaking a little more, up passing the crossing from this morning (here the original bridge had been removed and I had to drop down to the road and up the other side).
At the point where the SDW crossed the old railway line I left it and turned onto the SDW. Here the path followed a sunken track (and raised alternative - I assume for when the track is flooded)
past the end of a farm track and onto the final section over the Meon stream
Across the A32 and the van was waiting behind the hedge. I was glad to have done the walk this way around, if I had started out on the trail it might have been unstimulating. There were a few too many roads involved.
