Wayfarers Walk - Dummer to Alresford

A short history of the Wayfarers Walk

The Wayfarers Walk is a 70-mile, long-distance walking route.

The route will take you from its dramatic start, high on the chalk downs at Inkpen to finish at Emsworth Harbour. You will walk over some of the finest chalk turf in Hampshire down to the mud flats and salt marshes along the coast.

The Walk has been divided into six sections, each providing a really good day out.

Choose between high chalk downland with exhilarating views or chalk-stream valleys buzzing with wildlife, peaceful pubs in pretty villages or a busy market town. Or why not have a relaxing seaside picnic while watching the marsh wildlife.

Key

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    • Route
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    • Temporarily closed
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    • Restricted use

Directions

From Dummer the Wayfarers Walk uses trackways to take you south across Beckett’s Down. This area is dotted with many old chalk pits.

Now the route descends into the valley along Church Lane track, to Brown Candover. Follow the valley and cross the B3046 at the Wool Pack Inn, Totford. This pub sits on the Lunway, an ancient droveway used for moving cattle and sheep across the country.

The route then climbs out of the valley. It joins two other routes, the Ox Drove and the Three Castle Path to Abbotstone Down and the prehistoric settlement of Oliver’s Battery. The path continues down towards Abbotstone village.

Cross the Candover Stream and walk up to Itchen Stoke Down where it intersects with four other ancient trackways. Take the right track to re-cross the Candover Stream and follow the River Arle. You will pass watercress beds and the historic Fulling Mill, before reaching the town of Alresford.