I had been lookign at walking along the ridge above Portsmouth for a couple of years, but there never seemed to be the right route or the right time. So with hot weather forecast and an opportunity for a sea breeze I planned a route walking along the ridge then ci8rcle back around to the north. However with the great weather and views I looked down to Portchester fort and added a loop around that peninsular to the route making for a long day.
I set off early to avoid the hottest part of the day and I parked up in the Ports down viewpoint car park, which was largely empty, with just a few people grabbing coffee from the shack.
Looking over the edge of the ridge towards Portsmouth in the morning light.
I set off along the open access grassland heading west.
The path I was on wandered around the top of the slope - I could have walked nearer the road, but instead chose to randomise the walk along paths on the edge of the slope.
There was no real path marked on the map, however the satellite view showed multiple paths through the open access area. with the defence establishments just over the hedges.
As I approached fort Southwick - where the path descended to get aroudn the earthworks, I looked down towards Portchester castle and changed my route to include a loop around the peninsular below.
A last view down over the Portsmouth and Gosport harbours, before I descended off the ridge.
An angled path took me down off the ridge to the base of the slope and a bridge over the M27
Over the bridge and a curve aroudn to reach a path down through the residential area. then onto the roads under the railway and over the A3/ A27.
Down beside Lidl and through the industrial area up to the gates of an fabrication plant. Here there was a path that led down to the edge of the estuary.
Following the coastal path as it went around the peninsular down to the castle.
I could have gone around the outside, however I chose to go through the gates and across the centre of the original roman fort.
Down past the 11century Castle
And out the other side, before following the walls back to the coast line.
Along the coast to the corner of the peninsular. On the far side (in the naval port) was at least one aircraft carrier.
the path followed the coast line past a number of grassy areas,
Coming to the marina at Wicor hard. the path here left the coast through the yard and along the road to a parking area.
Into a sports fields, and back to the coast line continuing aroudn Cams bay.
the far side of the bay, the path ran around the edge of a golf course.
On the far side a chinook helicopter was landing.
Continuing around the golf course where the coast turned to follow the Wallington river where it led from the estuary.
Continuing up the river past Salteris quay, and up opposite town quay.
The river doubled back around the end and I guess I could have cut over the golf course. Along the edge past the club house to the driveway.
Down the drive to the gate onto the A27 and a last look up to the Cams Hall.
On the far side of the main road, and a path through the residential area that led to a track over the railway.
Onto the Alan King way as it climbed through fields up towards the M27. Then following the edge to a back road to cross it.
Over the M27 on the back road and following it around towards fort Nelson.
When the footpath ran out I crossed over into a field and up the edge of a field. At the fort the path went past the entrances to the car park.
Through the car park to reach the Nelson memorial before doubling back around the landward side of fort nelson.
Through the field with occasional views into the fort.
A road section then led up to Manor farm, before the path bent away through a grass field to a wood
Along the wood, until the Alan King way turned sharply through another grass field.
Over a back road and still on a track up to the B2177. This involved crossing through a cow yard with all its hidden traps!
A strange junction, then into a grass field with very little indication of the track
Over a back road after leaving the Alan King way and a diagonal path to Vernons farm. Then a rough path between fields.
This came out on the road from Southwick. I had hoped to cut through the Southwick house grounds, but this is all fenced off as a military location. Instead I took a path that looped through Place wood to get around the military encampment.
Through Place wood (with a brief stop for coffee and chocolate as I was 4 hours into the walk). from the wood I turned down towards Wanstead farm
Through the farm and down the driveway, keeping on it after it turned through 90 degrees.
The driveway continued as a farm track over a back road, and down to a ford. The path then followed the edge of the woods and a field - fenced between the two.
The track turned into the wood away from the field before meeting a bridleway (Wayfarers walk).
Following this new trace up to a back road then along the road to Purbrook Heath
Down a track and into some fields. The path did a zigzag to reach the edge of a row of back gardens. this path climbed back up to the Ports down ridge.
The path came out onto the edge of the B2177 close to the A3 crossing. From here I reached the end of the car park (in the overflow area). Through the parked cars and back to mine, along with its bottle of pop and a long drink before lunch. I had walked past the ice cream van especially after seeing the prices. The car park was now full with cars and vans abandoned all over, as well as a group showing off their shiny machines along with loud noises. Time to go home!
