Best trails in Basingstoke, Hampshire

A circular walk of byways and field tracks from Steventon in Hampshire. It starts at Steventon Church which has strong connections with Jane Austen (her father and two brothers were rectors here). The route passes through fields and woodland to Ashe Park, then to the hamlets of Ashe and Deane. It returns to Steventon via part of the long-distance Wayfarers Walk. Most of the walk is fairly flat but with some gentle slopes. There are some short sections of quiet road, but most of the walk is on byways, footpaths and along field edges. The tracks were generally good without too much mud. There are various gates including kissing gates but no stiles on the route. There were sheep grazing in one field at the time of writing. Allow 2.5 to 3 hours. Show more

A circular walk around the Kempshott and Pardown (Oakley) areas just to the south of Basingstoke in Hampshire. The walk is through the hills to the south of, and looking over, Basingstoke. Good views across the town and northern Hampshire can be found at a couple of points. The terrain is gentle, so the walk is quite flat for the most part. There is one gentle but moderately long incline of note in the latter half of the walk. A good portion of the walk goes through, or alongside, beautiful old woodlands and hedgerows, all of which exhibit lush and extensive carpets of bluebells and wood anemone in the springtime. Many other wild flowers can be seen dependent on time of year. If you are partial to blackberrying, there are plenty of bountiful bushes along the route. You will follow one short section of quiet public road which is a dead end, so there is no through traffic. If you have dogs with you, certain sections may require they be on a lead in the interests of avoiding disturbance to wild ground-nesting birds and to protect game birds which are reared close by. Wild pheasants and partridges can be a common sight throughout the length of the walk. Some sections of the walk are lower-lying and can get quite muddy after rain; however, even the largest puddles can be bypassed around their edges. There are no stiles or other climbing obstacles to negotiate, a narrow metal gate is the only obstacle on route. Set aside around two to three hours to complete the walk.Show more

A circular walk taking in woodland tracks, byways and fields in the Hampshire countryside near Cliddesden. There are a few slopes, including some quite steep sections. Most of the walk is on woodland tracks or across fields, with a few very short sections of quiet road. Part of the route is along the old trackbed of the Basingstoke and Alton Light Railway, and the walk also includes a section of the long distance Three Castles Path. Some of the tracks can get muddy after wet weather. There are no stiles, but there are a number of gates including kissing gates. There are some fields where sheep were grazing at the time of writing. Allow 3.5 hours. Show more

A circular walk from the village of Wootton St Lawrence, near Basingstoke in Hampshire. The route explores the local footpaths and bridleway tracks, taking you through woodland and open fields with some beautiful views. Along the way you will pass through Malshanger Park, with glimpses of the mansion and the old parkland. This is a particularly peaceful area where you will enjoy a true feeling of escape. The route has long and steady climbs and descents throughout, but there are no particularly steep sections. About a third of the route follows tarmac or stone tracks, but the remainder of the woodland and unmade tracks can get very muddy at times. You will need to negotiate two stiles (both of which have open fencing or gateways alongside for dogs to pass through) on route. Most of the surrounding land is arable, but there is one sheep field that you will need to pass through or alongside (depending on the current position of the temporary fencing). Allow 3 hours. Show more

A 7km walk over Oakley Park to join the Wayfarers Walk. Greats views of the countryside and a little walk in the woods. Head back to Oakley through open fields to the village duck pond and finally get refuelled at the Barley Mow or have a coffee at Jolly Olly'sShow more

A circular walk through fields and woodland starting at Ramsdell, a small village north-west of Basingstoke in Hampshire. It passes two intriguing properties: Clapperhill House, and Wyeford Farm (a 17th century moated house). The walk is relatively flat with a few gentle slopes and follows woodland bridleways, crosses pastureland, and has a few short sections of quiet road. The woodland paths can get muddy after wet weather. There are some gates (including kissing gates) and 8 stiles (including a double stile) to negotiate, and there is one section of fields sometimes grazed by sheep or cattle - sometimes including a bull. However, there is an alternative road route to avoid these livestock fields if you prefer (also avoiding six of the stiles). Allow 2.5 hours.Show more

A circular walk through wooded valleys, woodland tracks and byways in the Hampshire countryside near Ellisfield. Most of it is on gentle slopes, but not too steep. Part of the route through the woodland at Moundsmere can get very muddy after wet weather (so if the weather has been wet, please review the walk and not the mud!) There are no stiles, but there are a number of gates including kissing gates. There are some fields where sheep were grazing at the time of writing. Allow 2.5 hours. Show more

A circular walk in the countryside near Mapledurwell along footpaths and byways including part of the long distance Three Castles Path. The route is fairly flat with a few gentle slopes and is mainly on field edges and byways with a few short (and quiet) road sections. There's a very pretty church at the starting point, but no other notable buildings to see en route. However it's a nice circular walk through open countryside with good views and generally very peaceful. There are a few stiles and many kissing gates on the route. At the time of writing there were a few friendly horses and some sheep in some of the fields. Allow about 2 hours. The walk starts and ends at St Mary's Church Mapledurwell, near Basingstoke in Hampshire. There is a small parking area with space for a few cars (avoid alternate Sunday mornings when there is a church service). Access to Mapledurwell is from the A30 London Road. Turn off the A30 at Hatch into Greywell Lane signposted Mapledurwell. After half a mile turn right into Tunworth Road and follow the road past the Gamekeepers pub. At the junction after the pub, go straight ahead and follow the fork to the right signposted to the church. Approximate postcode is RG25 2LH.Show more

This great trail starts in a free car park on Overton Hill just off the B3400. Heading south, to move through farmland part of the Laverstoke Estate toward Jane Austen's birthplace of Steventon. Turning north you will pass through Ashe Park where you may see some alpaca. Crossing carefully the B3400 head into village of Ashe past the church and onto the source of the river Test. Finally moving through rolling fields back to the car park. Show more

Great walk starting in Oakley taking you out into the rolling Hampshire countryside and back. Going past the Oakley village pond surrounded by thatched dwellings and then head south towards Basingstoke across farmland and circle South Wood. On the return join the Wayfarers Walk on Fuzzy Drove then head back to the start.Show more