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Exton Beacon – Meon Valley Trail loop from Source of the River Itchen

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Exton Beacon – Meon Valley Trail loop from Source of the River Itchen

Hard

5.0

(1)

hikers

Exton Beacon – Meon Valley Trail loop from Source of the River Itchen

06:22

23.8km

270m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: April 16, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

South Downs National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

6.44 km

South Downs Way Water Tap

Highlight • Rest Area

Fresh water tap - an essential resource for South Downs Way walkers and cyclists. Tap tested and working in May 2022.

Tip by

7.78 km

Forest Bridleway in South Downs National Park

Highlight • Forest

8.32 km

Beacon Hill (South Downs National Park)

Highlight • Natural Monument

Beacon Hill is a national nature reserve on a chalk spur that supports some rare plant life. This flora in turn provides a habitat to many species of butterfly. In fact, 25 species are known to breed on the site. The reserve affords stunning views over the Hampshire Basin and the South Downs.

Tip by

8.58 km

Exton Beacon

Highlight • Historical Site

10.4 km

The Shoe Inn, Exton

Highlight • Pub

Highly recommend the Haddock & chips.

Tip by

10.6 km

St Peter and St Paul's Church, Exton

Highlight • Historical Site

St Peter and St Paul’s is a pretty parish church in the heart of Exton. The church was built in the 13th century but underwent a major restoration in 1847. The Grade II-listed structure contains some interesting wall monuments from the 18th century and houses a Victorian font of tall Early English style.

Tip by

13.3 km

Meon Valley Trail

Highlight • Forest

The Meon Valley Trail is a super good hiking, biking running route that goes through the Meon Valley. Once a railway line running from Fareham to Alton transporting local livestock and agricultural produce, the trail now spans 11 miles through picturesque countryside, from West Meon in the north to Wickham in the south.

Tip by

20.5 km

Blackhouse Copse

Forest

21.4 km

Broom Wood

Forest

23.3 km

Source of the River Itchen

Highlight • Natural Monument

The source of the Itchen lies just south of Cheriton and New Alresford, in the South Downs National Park. The springs well up here and form a stream that winds north, becoming one of England's finest chalk streams. Well known for its excellent fishing, the Itchen is a thriving habitat for birds and wildlife in general.

Tip by

23.8 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

15.8 km

4.75 km

2.23 km

780 m

153 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

8.06 km

6.44 km

5.38 km

1.48 km

1.43 km

1.01 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (200 m)

Lowest point (60 m)

Weather

Wednesday 8 July

31°C

16°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 10.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Exton Beacon – Meon Valley Trail loop from Source of the River Itchen

South Downs Way Water Tap

Forest Bridleway in South Downs National Park

Beacon Hill (South Downs National Park)

Exton Beacon

The Shoe Inn, Exton

St Peter and St Paul's Church, Exton

Meon Valley Trail

Source of the River Itchen

Nearby routes

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