We plan to organise car shares in advance, so will not meet at West Town Car Park.
If driving to South Harting via Petersfield on the B2146, it is possible to stop by the White Hart pub to use the public toilet.
Park in the west end of Tipper Lane as close to the B2146 as possible, postcode GU31 5LH, grid reference SU785192, for walk start at 10.00 a.m. at the latest.
We set off on the path towards the Downs and soon start climbing. About halfway up, we turn westwards and are rewarded by a panoramic view over South Harting and its green-spired church. We join the South Downs Way after a mile of climbing – the biggest climb of the day.
We keep to the SDW with occasional panoramic views over the West Weald then join the Milky Way to descend gently to Buriton. The track here is firmer than its name suggests! We can stop at Buriton to sit and admire the pond by the church.
We return to South Harting through the lowland under the Downs via Pircroft Lane and Old Ditcham. We spend literally 2 minutes on the busy narrow road between Petersfield and South Harting and are then rewarded by the sight of the pretty Mill Dam at Nurstead.
We cross the fields to Putnams then pick up a woodland path through wild garlic on the side of Torberry Hill. We then rejoin the busy road but this time we have a wide verge and can soon escape into a playing field then the small road to Church Farm where a path brings us back to South Harting church.
There are no steep climbs or descents although the first mile is uphill most of the way.. The total distance is 9.1 miles with a total ascent of 800 feet.
The route was not muddy on the recce (March 2026) after a dry week following the wet winter.
Lunch is booked for 2 p.m. at the White Hart (2-course lunch £19.90 served till 5 Mon-Fri). Pre-orders might be required (but have not been requested yet).
This is the planned route...