This Wiltshire walk climbs onto the Pewsey Downs from where there are excellent views across the Vale of Pewsey. The route uses a number of national trails before returning along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal and offers a range of scenery from rolling downs to the open aspect of the Vale of Pewsey.
Calculated time: 4h00[?] 
Distance : 7.85mi
Vertical gain : 482ft
Vertical drop : 479ft
Highest point : 915ft
Lowest point : 413ft 
Difficulty : Average
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Location : Wootton Rivers
Starting point : N 51.364943° / W 1.71646° (D/A)The start is the small car park adjacent to the village hall in the village of Wootton Rivers (grid ref. SU197630). Exit the car park and walk north through the village to join the Mid Wilts Way which leaves the road on your left at grid ref. SU197634.
(1)Follow this path north for just under a mile climbing onto the downs. Reaching a path junction at grid ref. SU199642 turn left, following the Mid Wilts Way and continue when the path turns right to meet Mud Lane (grid ref. SU198646).
(2)Turn left along Mud Lane for two miles continuing along the Mid Wilts Way. The way ahead climbs steadily across the rolling downs crossing a lane at grid ref. SU183645. Continue straight ahead with a steep escarpment to your left with an excellent view across the Vale of Pewsey. Reaching a path junction (grid ref. SU176642) continue straight ahead.
(3)At a cross-path (grid ref. SU174641) go straight ahead and continue along the southern edge of Withy Copse to reach a cross path (grid ref. SU171641). Turn left here to join the White Horse Trail to continue along a ridge passing Giant's Grave. Continue to descend to a cross path (grid ref. SU161628). Go straight across and continue south to reach Sunnyhill Lane (grid ref. SU161622).
(4)Cross Sunnyhill Lane and take the path opposite remaining on the White Horse Trail to reach Pains Bridge (grid ref. SU164611) on the Kennet and Avon Canal. Turn left along the canal towpath for two and a half miles of easy walking back to Wootton Rivers.
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. mi 0 - Start: Wootton Rivers village hall
1 : mi 0.37 - alt. mi 0.37 - Leave road on left
2 : mi 1.23 - alt. mi 1.23 - Turn left along Mud Lane
3 : mi 2.62 - alt. mi 2.62 - Continue ahead at path junction
4 : mi 4.67 - alt. mi 4.67 - Cross Sunnyhill Lane and take path opposite
D/A : mi 7.85 - alt. mi 7.85 - Finish: Wootton Rivers village hall
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 4.6/5
Number of opinions : 5
Description quality : 4.6/5
Routemap quality : 4.6/5
Walk interest : 4.6/5
Global average : 3.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 04/10/19
Description quality
: Average
Routemap quality
: Average
Walk interest
: Good
The directions were very vague, providing no useful details at all about things to look out for at crucial turns up on the downs. The author seemed to assume everyone would be travelling with some GPS device.
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 30/06/19
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Great walk through beautiful countryside. A couple of climbs but wonderful views at the top. To finish the walk you do a couple of miles along the canal. A very varied walk which I enjoyed very much.
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 17/06/19
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
We have done the walk on Saturday 12/June/2019.
Weather was ok, with some rain in the middle. (Lovely typical British weather...)
Views are superb!
Grazing cows everywhere (watch out: cow s....t everywhere). The mud lane was ok, whilst I agree that the name of the lane is very descriptive, it is not that bad, and there is enough places on the side to walk and not get too dirty.
Although it is not according to the current GPX file, I recommend to go to the 'Martinsell Viewpoint' (marked in mapsme.com and in https://www.openstreetmap.org/search?que... ) it is well worth a short (~500 meters) change to the walk. And from Martinsell viewpoint the path continue and you can easily continue the walk... (i.e. no need to return on the path that you arrived to the viewpoint).
Enjoy!
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 09/04/18
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Good
Did a variation and Parked at Oare then walked the route in reverse, lunching at Wootton Rivers
Route was very muddy, especially at Mud Lane and the towpath along the canal was muddier then I expected. Weather was not good, but the views were still good. Saw deer in the field below Mud Lane.
Altogether a very pleasant if damp and muddy walk.
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 12/03/18
Description quality
: Very good
Routemap quality
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Great walk! Varied and interesting. Awesome views. Decided to walk up to the Fort rather than around it - really glad I did!
2.8mi
+328ft
-328ft
1h30
Easy
Starting point in Wiltshire A pleasant Wiltshire walk across chalk downland to the highest point in the county. The walk also includes some other interesting features typical of this area.
9.04mi
+417ft
-407ft
4h30
Average
Starting point in Wiltshire The North Wessex Downs provides some good walking terrain and this extended route from Avebury takes you onto the downs to follow a section of the Ridgeway.
6.7mi
+328ft
-341ft
3h20
Average
Starting point in Avebury - Wiltshire This Wiltshire walk provides a way of visiting many of the interesting World Heritage Neolithic sites around the village of Avebury including the Stone Circle, Silbury Hill and West Kennett Long Barrow.
13.88mi
+1053ft
-1070ft
7h10
Average
Starting point in Ashmansworth - Hampshire This North Wessex Downs ridge walk includes the highest points in Hampshire and Berkshire and outstanding views along the way. The return is through some attractive, rural villages nestling on the chalk downs. The outward leg makes much use of the Wayfarer's Walk, whilst the return leg uses some of the Test Way.
3.15mi
+259ft
-259ft
1h40
Easy
Starting point in Oxfordshire This short walk on the North Wessex Downs offers wonderful and the chance to explore some fine ancient monuments including the Uffungton White Horse, Uffington Castle and Wayland's Smithy Long Barrow.
5.93mi
+577ft
-577ft
3h10
Easy
Starting point in Woolstone - Oxfordshire This walk on North Wessex Downs offers some wonderful views as well as the opportunity to explore some fine ancient monuments. These include the Uffington White Horse, Uffington Castle and Wayland's Smithy Long Barrow.
For more walks, use our search engine.
The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
