The best walks and hikes around Hampshire

Yes, Hampshire offers numerous circular walks that allow you to start and end in the same place without retracing your steps. You can find loops through ancient woodlands, along coastal paths, and across rolling hills. For a straightforward example, consider the Burnidge Forest Preserve loop from Castle Knoll, which provides a pleasant walk through a forest preserve.

Hampshire has many trails suitable for families and children. The New Forest is particularly good, with accessible paths like the Tall Trees Trail. Another great option is the Woodland Loop — Coral Woods Conservation Area, an easy and relatively short walk through a conservation area that's manageable for little legs.

Most trails in Hampshire are dog-friendly, but it's important to check local regulations, especially in National Parks where livestock and wildlife are present. In the New Forest, dogs must be kept under control to protect the free-roaming ponies and other animals. Queen Elizabeth Country Park is another popular spot with plenty of space for dogs to explore.

While many of Hampshire's trails are gentle, you can find more challenging terrain in the South Downs National Park. The ascent to Butser Hill, the highest point in the county, offers a strenuous climb with rewarding panoramic views. You can also tackle a section of the South Downs Way, a 100-mile National Trail that features significant elevation changes along its chalk escarpment.

The New Forest National Park is a top-rated destination for hikers, known for its ancient woodlands and free-roaming ponies. Popular areas include Brockenhurst for its village walks and Bolderwood for its deer viewing platform. For a taste of the area's prairie landscape, the Horned Lark and Wild Turkey Loop — Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve offers an easy path through a unique habitat.

Many Hampshire villages have traditional pubs that make a perfect stop on a walk. The areas around the Meon Valley Trail and the South Downs Way are dotted with villages like West Meon and Warnford, which have highly-regarded local pubs. Planning a route that passes through one of these charming villages is a great way to combine a hike with a rewarding meal.

The Hampshire portion of the South Downs National Park is defined by its rolling chalk hills and expansive views. It's home to Old Winchester Hill, a popular spot offering stunning vistas from an Iron Age hill fort. The park contains a vast network of trails, including parts of the long-distance South Downs Way, suitable for both short strolls and more demanding day hikes.

Yes, several locations in Hampshire offer accessible paths. The Meon Valley Trail, following a former railway line, is a 10-mile flat and wide path ideal for prams and wheelchairs. Many of the gravel tracks in the New Forest, such as the Tall Trees Trail, are also designed to be accessible for all abilities.

The trails in Hampshire are generally well-signposted, especially within the National Parks. For detailed navigation and to discover new routes, you can use the komoot app. It provides turn-by-turn voice navigation, even offline, so you don't need to worry about carrying paper maps. You can plan your own routes or follow ready-built ones like the Hiking loop from Illinois State Nature Preserve.

The region is highly rated by the komoot community. Hikers often praise the incredible diversity of the landscape, from the unique character of the New Forest with its famous ponies to the breathtaking chalk cliffs and rolling hills of the South Downs. The well-maintained and extensive network of footpaths is also frequently mentioned as a major highlight.

Hampshire is crossed by several major long-distance paths. The most famous is the South Downs Way, a 100-mile National Trail starting in Winchester. There is also the Solent Way, a 60-mile coastal path offering views of the Isle of Wight, and the Wayfarer's Walk, which runs 71 miles across the county from coast to chalk downland.

You can hike in Hampshire year-round, but each season offers a different experience. Spring brings blooming bluebells in the woodlands. Summer is perfect for enjoying the long days and panoramic views from the downs. Autumn is famous in the New Forest for the changing leaf colors and the pannage season when pigs roam freely. Winter offers crisp, quiet walks, though paths can be muddy.