Cranbury to Otterbourne to Shawford and back

Another lovely long run at 9.2 miles (MapMyRun). It is nearly all off road.

Head off site via the Southampton Lodge entrance and turn right. Take the public footpath on the left as the Romsey road bears right just before the Hursley road turning and run along the field parallel to the Hursley road.

Exit the field and run up the recently resurfaced steep hill. Follow the signs across the Cranbury estate, eventually crossing the M3 where you bear right to emerge at the top of Otterbourne hill.

Cross the road and enter Otterbourne woods. There are various routes through the woods. As long as you keep going downhill you'll find the exit. From the exit of the woods run down the field to the gate.

Turn right and run 100m along Kiln Lane then take the footpath on the left by the cemetery. Follow the footpath towards Shawford. Find a route to cross over Shawford Down so that you emerge at the top of the hill.

Cross the M3 at Compton, take the left turn on to Shepherds Lane and follow the footpaths along the lanes and over the fields back to Hursley.

Farley Mount 10 mile loop

A lovely long loop with a big climb, excellent views and nice forest running (MapyMyRun)

Leave the site by the Winchester entrance and turn left. Take the second turning on the left signed for Sparsholt. Take the next left after 300 metres on to Farley Mount road and climb this to the top.

At the tri-section at the top bear left along the ridge. Just before the road starts to descend (3.42 miles in to the run), turn left in to the car park and follow the Clarendon Way up the hill. Admire the views to your right as you get to the top.

When you reach the woods take the main trail to the left. After 0.6 miles, at the trail crossroads, turn left. Follow this down until it becomes a road and keep going. Cross over Farley Lane (the distance so far is 5.7 miles) and keep going until you hit the T junction. You could go straight on here along the footpath although that's a slightly longer way home than the one described here.

Turn left along Dores Lane for 0.23 miles and turn right in to Ampfield woods along the bridleway by the house with the noisy dogs.

Follow the trail 1.1 miles and turn left at the end. Re-enter Ampfields woods and follow the signed footpath back to Hursley.

Around the back of Hursley

This is a nice 10k (6.24m) circular route (MapMyRun) that is one of my favourites.

It starts downhill off the site and along the flat Romsey road so you get a nice easy start.

Then you turn left and climb for 0.5 miles before running on quiet roads for 1.9 miles.

Then you turn left in to Ampfield woods (beware the noisy dogs) and run 2.7 miles off road before having a sprint opportunity along the flat Romsey road in to Hursley village. It ends here so that you can cool down while walking back up the hill.

Nice circular 5 mile route

This is a good 5 mile route (MapMyRun) because it starts off being quite flat and cross country, then has a steady 1.25m offroad climb, followed by a descent, and finishes off with an easy last 1.75m road section with a downhill sprint at the end. It stops in Hursley village to allow you to cool down while walking back up the hill.

Shortest Tree Nursery route

This is a nice offroad 5.1m route (MayMyRun) through the woods without too much climbing.

Head for the Southampton exit from the IBM site and turn right in to John Keble school and bear right in to the field.  Head straight in to the woods and the path is essentially straight for the next 0.6m.  Make a note of where you next exit the woods on to the track so that you can find your way back again.

When you hit the tarmac road run down it for 0.3m and then turn right at the Public Footpath sign post.  Follow the signs through the tree nursery and you'll re-enter Ampfields woods and descend quite steeply.  When you reach the stony fireroad turn right.  Head up that to the T-junction and turn right which will send you back up to the road.  Head back the way you came and finally enjoy a sprint along the flat main road in to Hursley village.

Table of Contents

If you're interested in running from Hursley then this blog should help you find new and interesting routes.

Distance	Summary
5.1 miles	Over fields parallel to Poles Lane, up to resevoir, back along Port Lane.
5.1 miles	Through Ampfield woods to the tree nursery, shortest way back.
6.2 miles	Along Romsey Rd towards Winchester, first left, round the back of Hursley, shortest way back through Ampfield woods
6.3 miles	Farley Mount 10k
6.35 miles	The Golf course loop
7.0 miles	Across Cranbury estate to M3 and back along Poles Lane and over the fields. Do the 7.5 mile version of this if you can.
7.5 miles	Across Cranbury estate to M3, down through Otterbourne Woods, over the fields to the Old Forge, back along Poles Lane and over the fields.
7.5 miles	Head for Sparsholt, right towards Winchester, through Olivers Battery and back along Port Lane.
8.25 miles	Towards Winchester, first left up Merdon Castle hill, turn right and do a block and return
9.2 miles	Across Cranbury estate, through Otterbourne woods, along the river, over Shawford Down, back across the fields.
10.0 miles	Up to Farley Mount and back through Ampfield woods
10.0 miles	St Catherines Hill loop, including the Steps