____Schwingis Southampton

Crossing Meon Valley east of Southampton and than all the way around Winchester. The first half keeps mainly on roads, whereas the second is mostly off road.

This trip starts from Swaythling station (44/16) in Southampton. The first bit leads on the A27 and than on Allington Lane eastwards out of the city. After Horton (49/17) over a net of small roads Swanmore (58/16) can be reached from where Cott Street crosses the River Meon (60.5/15). Keep going on small roads eastwards till finally at Pithill Farm (66/14) Harrowgate Lane becomes the first off road track of this trip. The next waypoint is Mercury Park (68/19) on top of Salt Hill (see picture) that is best reached over a combination of on and off road tracks. After enjoying the view back to Southampton take the Meon Valley Cycling Path to Dryton (67/23.5). From there small streets lead to Privett (67.5/27) and further north to Four Marks (67/35). A series of Bridle ways leads to Upper Wield (63/39) from where the Three Castle Path and Wayfarer's walk brings you to Totford (57/38). Stay westwads on roads till crossing the A33 and than on bridle ways till Crawley (43/35). Leave the village on a street to the west, put turn soon south on a bridle way that gets you on top of Farley Mount (42/29). Follow an other off road track south west to Barry Down (20/27.5) and than keep going south on a the road to Lower Slackstead where turning to the left gets you on Clypit Road to Ampfield (40/23). The A3090 and Hook Road lead to Chandler's Ford (42/23) that can be surrounded on Knightwood road. After Chandler's Ford, use the cycle path beside Castle Lane to the west and than the bridle way up to Chillworth (41/19). From there only a short distance is left to get back to Southampton.