The final section of a 50-mile path running through the heart of the South Downs in East Hampshire has been completed and was officially opened this week
A one-and-a-half mile stretch, connecting Whitehill and Bordon to Liss, is the last link in the chain for new long distance trail, The Shipwrights Way. The route is now open for walkers, cyclists and – where possible – horse-riders, linking the towns and villages of East Hampshire to the beautiful countryside on their doorstep.
Starting from Alice Holt Forest, the trail runs southwards over the South Downs and all the way to the sea, finishing at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. The latest section was built with the help of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) along the edge of Longmoor Ranges and connects seven train stations, three country parks and other places of interest. It makes for a perfect excuse to visit East Hampshire – the Hampshire area of the South Downs National Park.
The Shipwrights Way forms part of the area’s impressive collection of long distance trails, including the South Downs Way, the Hangers Way, the Ox Drove, St Swithun’s Way, and the Pilgrims’ Way (from Winchester to Canterbury) to name but a few, as well as numerous shorter walks.
To find out more and a map of the new route, go to www.shipwrights.org.uk.
For more information about breaks in East Hampshire visit http://www.easthants.gov.uk/visit-east-hampshire.
