Harting Down and Beacon Hill 7.5 mile all day or 4 mile morning

This is a 7.5 mile circular walk with a 4 mile option to walk morning only, using a very quick and convenient car shuttle. Dave at the Royal Oak has said it’s ok to park there all morning. I will drop off my walkers at the start point, carry on down the hill to the pub, pick up any half-day walkers and return to the start. Simple! Please ask!

Morning is 4 miles with two hills. The afternoon is 3.5 miles, uphill most of the way but at a gentle slope. 

The walk starts at 10.15am from the NT car park on the B2141 at Harting Down (Map ref SU791181 on OS Explorer Map 120, what3words ///proofs.waltzes.intensely nearest postcode GU31 5PW).

The Royal Oak pub for half day walkers is 1.5 miles further down the B2141 and off to the left, at PO18 9JZ   SU815163.

From Winchester take the A272 to Petersfield. Then turn south on the B2146 (Note: you can usually avoid the level crossing by turning right into Frenchman’s Road, and going under the railway, but it may be closed at present for roadworks).  After about 4 miles you reach South Harting. There turn right at the T junction, staying on the B2146. About half a mile on, take the B2141 which forks left. That goes up a steep hill, and as it begins to level off the car park is on the left, hidden in the trees, but clearly signposted “Harting Down”. 

There are superb views from the start, as the route follows the South Downs Way along the escarpment. We will soon reach the summit of Beacon Hill, with 360 degree views of…..everything. There’s a trig point and a plinth telling us which way everything is and how far it is. The climb up the hill is steep though fairly short. If you don’t fancy it, I will lead a second group round it, while Sue leads the assault group up, over and down. We will meet up on the other side.

We continue on a lovely part of the South Downs Way for about another 1.5 miles, then loop south to the Royal Oak at Hooksway for lunch. There is open land for picnickers outside, though no shelter. The afternoon takes us past Telegraph House (2 minute history lesson here) and on a switch back to walk up a very pleasant “hidden” valley back to the top and the car park. Cuts out half a hill…..

It is quite hilly. We start high and the pub is low. The afternoon ups are long but gentle. No stiles.

I hope you can join us. Please let us know any food orders by 6pm on Wednesday if possible, so I can let the pub have details.

Food choices at pub include soup, filled granary rolls, jacket potatoes as well as various mains. I have not been asked to preorder, but told it will help speed things up.

https://www.royaloakhooksway.co.uk/mainmenu3.html

Jim and Sue Morgan