Walking Routes Around Waterlooville

From suburban strolls to South Downs hikes

Walking is one of the most accessible forms of exercise and recreation available to Waterlooville residents, and the town's position at the foot of the South Downs provides walking opportunities that range from gentle suburban strolls to serious downland hikes. The network of footpaths, bridleways and public rights of way that thread through the countryside north and east of the town offers variety for walkers of all abilities.

The South Downs Way, the national trail that runs from Winchester to Eastbourne, passes through Queen Elizabeth Country Park and over Butser Hill, just a few miles north of Waterlooville. This provides access to one of the finest long-distance walking routes in southern England, and local walkers can join the trail for a section walk before returning home the same day.

Closer to the town, circular walks through the lanes and fields around Denmead, Lovedean and Horndean offer rural scenery within a short drive. The Staunton Country Park to the east provides waymarked trails through parkland, woodland and ornamental grounds. The Hayling Billy Trail, accessible from Havant, provides a flat, traffic-free path that is suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

Within the urban area, the parks and green spaces provide walking routes that avoid traffic. Purbrook Heath and the Woodlands Walk are popular with residents who want a quick walk without driving to the countryside. Walking groups meet regularly in the area, and the Ramblers Association has an active local group that organises weekly walks of varying lengths and difficulty.