(S/E) From Thatcham Station, set off along the towpath of the Kennet and Avon canal towards Newbury.
(1) After around 4km along River Kennet, the footpath rises from the canal to cross Hambridge Road (B3421). Turn right along this road and cross the A4 London Road (there are pedestrian signals) to continue up Fir Tree Lane.
At the junction with Turnpike Road, join the public footpath (Manor Lane) along the old lane beside the houses, then cross the new road and continue straight ahead along the track up the hill to the telecoms mast.
(2) Turn right, continue through Henwick Manor Farm and descend gently downhill, ignoring the farm access road to the right. The track bends to the right past a house, and the public footpath then continues straight ahead between two fields to a steel kissing gate.
(3) Cross straight over the narrow meadow to a pair of kissing gates either side of the bridge over a small stream, then turn left alongside the stream.
At the gate, continue along the stream for a short distance, then cross back over the stream. The path then goes diagonally to the right across the field. It is then fenced across a second field (this section gets quite muddy) and then between two houses.
Turn right when you reach the road (Stoney Lane), and right again at the junction with Ashmore Green Road. The footpath is on the left after around 200m, between the houses 'Holly Grove' and 'Heatherdale'.
(4) Follow this footpath up and down the hill, then continue straight through a steel kissing gate and along a narrow path beside a house. Follow the unmade lane to the road (Cold Ash Hill), cross over and continue along the path slightly to the right.
At the next road, turn right and then at the junction continue straight across onto the bridleway. When you reach the road (The Ridge), turn right and continue past all of the houses until you reach Lawrences Lane.
(5) Very soon after Lawrences Lane, turn left into the woods at the public footpath sign, and then immediately right along a path that runs parallel to the road.
When you reach Holly lane, cross straight over to the bridleway sign. Do not head in the direction of the sign, but continue straight ahead along the path which continues roughly parallel to the road to reach a Quiet Lane.
The path sometimes divides, and it is not always obvious which is the main route - but do not worry; if you come off this path, you will find yourself on the road to the right or a bridleway to the left, and you will still reach the Quiet Lane. When you reach it, turn right.
(6) Cross over the main road onto the signposted public footpath, and bear left when this reaches a track. Keep going straight, and continue with the embankment and 'newt and reptile fence' surrounding a quarry on your left.
When you reach Harts Hill Road, cross straight over and climb the bank opposite.Turn left along the footpath, and continue parallel to Harts Hill Road to its end.
(7) Turn right along the track, past a house and an ancient yew tree. The footpath continues over a stile then downhill along the field edge, with a bridge to cross the small stream. As you enter the wood, a century-old oak tree has fallen across the path, and a gap has been cut in the trunk to allow you through.
Continue along this path through the wood, and then turn right along the bridleway to return down to the Kennet valley. This continues as a tarmacked farm road to the A4.
(8) Cross the A4 (there is a central island) and continue along Colthrop Lane through the industrial estate to the level crossing (the signal box is still manned, and also controls the level crossing at Thatcham station). Then turn left and follow the road to the bridge over the canal.
(9) Drop down to the cottages, and then follow the tow path back to Thatcham station. (S/E)
