- On trail 10.5 mi 16.9 km
- Walking time 4–5 h
- Ascent 340 m 1,100 ft
- Descent 370 m 1,200 ft
- Difficulty Moderate
Butser Hill, the highest point on the Way, then the drop to Buriton.
Section 3: Old Winchester Hill to Buriton map
Example stay The Nest Hotel & Restaurant (opens in a new tab)
Cross-check: National Trails route description . Opened 25 October 2026. The distance at the top of this page is measured between these ends. The route page's miles stay in the answers below.
The walk
Butser Hill is the point of this section, 270 m (886 ft), the highest on the South Downs Way. You leave Old Winchester Hill downhill to Whitewool Farm, climb past the Sustainability Centre, and the ridge looks down on East Meon before the hill. A long grassy descent leads through the Queen Elizabeth Country Park. Buriton is below the chalk pits, and that is where the usual first walk spends the night.
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Start of section
Old Winchester Hill
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Sustainability Centre
Once the naval training site HMS Mercury, with the Beeches cafe on the path. The 5-day sleeps here. East Meon is the village below, and that plan does not walk down to it.
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Butser Hill
270 m (886 ft), the highest point on the Way, chalk grassland with a cafe and toilets near the top. The long grassy descent drops you to the country park and the A3.
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The night
Buriton
The village is below the chalk pits, with pubs. The usual first walk stops here. When it is full, Petersfield, off the path, is the fallback. On the fast weeks the village is lunch.
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End of section
Buriton
Section 3: Old Winchester Hill to Buriton overview
The ground
- Butser Hill
- Chalk grassland
- Country park
A ridge to the highest point, then a long grassy descent to the village. The section before this is the short drop into Exton and the fort. After Buriton the ridge runs on toward Cocking, and no later hill is as high as Butser.
Stops
Refreshments
- The Beeches cafe at the Sustainability Centre
- a cafe near the top of Butser Hill
- and a cafe and shop at the country park. Pubs in Buriton
Toilets
- Toilets near the summit of Butser Hill
- and again at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park visitor centre
Before you go
Opposite direction
Buriton to Old Winchester Hill
You climb out of Buriton through the woods to the country park, so Butser Hill is a pull rather than a descent. The ridge then looks down on East Meon. You pass the Sustainability Centre, drop to Whitewool Farm, and finish at the fort.
End of section
Old Winchester Hill
Old Winchester Hill to Buriton FAQ
How long is Old Winchester Hill to Buriton?
The route page lists 12 miles (19.3 km). The distance at the top of this page is measured between these ends.
Should I stay in Buriton?
On the 8-day, the 9-day and the 10-day, yes. Book the village. Petersfield is the fallback when it is full. The 5-day has already stopped at the Sustainability Centre. The 6-day and the 7-day sleep at a campsite in East Meon and walk through Buriton.
Can I download a GPX for Old Winchester Hill to Buriton?
Yes. Use the GPX button at the top of this page. It is this section's line, for Garmin, Komoot, or your phone. Open the planner if you want a file built around your overnight stops.
Walk this as a day
Buriton is the night at the end of Day 2 on the 8-day. Open the planner on that preset, then export a full-trip or per-day GPX.
Open in planner Read the 8-day itinerary
Full-trip and per-day GPX files. Free, no account.
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