- On trail 11.3 mi 18.1 km
- Walking time 5–6 h
- Ascent 320 m 1,050 ft
- Descent 160 m 500 ft
- Difficulty Moderate
Cheesefoot Head, the view to the Isle of Wight, then high tracks to the reserve.
Section 1: Winchester to Beacon Hill map
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
You may hear the ranges at Chilcomb before the path climbs to Cheesefoot Head and the view toward the Solent. After that the tracks stay high and quiet, and the Millbury's Inn is on the way. The section ends at Beacon Hill, the nature reserve. The steep drop into Exton is the next section, and that village is the usual first night.
-
Official start
Winchester
-
Chilcomb
The hamlet after the city, and the ranges beside it. You may hear gunfire. The climb to Cheesefoot Head starts once you are through.
-
Cheesefoot Head
The first wide view, toward the Solent and the Isle of Wight. After it the path stays on quiet tracks, and the Millbury's Inn is on the way.
-
Not the night
Beacon Hill
The nature reserve is the end of the section. The steep walkers' path down to Exton is the next one. That village is where the usual first walk stops.
-
End of section
Beacon Hill
Section 1: Winchester to Beacon Hill overview
The ground
- Fields
- High tracks
- Cheesefoot Head
Fields out of the city, then quiet high tracks. The length is the work, not a steep hill. The steep drop into the Meon is the next section. This one is the city, the ranges at Chilcomb, and the tracks after Cheesefoot Head.
Stops
Refreshments
- Winchester at the start. The Millbury's Inn is on the tracks after Cheesefoot Head. Beacon Hill is a reserve
- not a village
Toilets
- The route page does not name a public toilet on this section
Before you go
Opposite direction
Beacon Hill to Winchester
You leave the reserve on the same high tracks. Cheesefoot Head is the view back toward the Solent, Chilcomb comes after it, and the fields run into Winchester.
Official finish
Winchester
Winchester to Beacon Hill FAQ
How long is Winchester to Beacon Hill?
The route page lists 11 miles (17.7 km). The distance at the top of this page is measured between these ends.
Can I stay at Beacon Hill?
No. The reserve is not a night. The 8-day and the 9-day sleep at Exton, after the steep drop on the next section. The 10-day stops at Meonstoke. The 6-day and the 7-day go on to a campsite at East Meon.
Can I download a GPX for Winchester to Beacon Hill?
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
Inside Day 1 of the 8-day. That day ends down in Exton, not at the reserve. 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.
Explore
