Station to Station Walks - Hills to harbour Community Rail Partnership

The Hills to Harbour trail links all of the railway stations between Guildford and Portsmouth. Take the train from Waterloo and be walking in the Surrey Hills in just 40 minutes. Choose any pair of stations as your starting and finishing points for walks from 1.9 miles upwards. Walk one section for a day out or set yourself the challenge of completing the whole route. You decide which sections and when. Relax as you return home on the train.

All
Guildford
Farncombe
Godalming
Milford
Witley
Haslemere
Liphook
Liss
Petersfield
Rowlands Castle
Havant
Bedhampton
Hilsea
Fratton
Portsmouth & Southsea
Portsmouth Harbour

01 - Guildford to Farncombe

Ramble through the High Street and quiet corners of the historic town of Guildford where there are cafes and pubs for some refreshment before you set out along the picturesque River Wey valley to Farncombe.

02 - Farncombe to Godalming

Follow the Godalming Navigation which opened in 1764 and is an early example of a river improved for navigation. If you are lucky, you may see a narrow boat pass through the lock at Catteshall. Your destination is Godalming with its quaint streets and history to discover.

03 - Godalming to Milford

This walk passes along Godalming’s historic High Street before climbing to the hills above. The walk to Milford provides a first sight of the rolling fields and woodlands of the Surrey Hills.

04 - Milford to Witley

You will pass the millponds of the River Ock valley on your way to the village of Witley. There is then a gentle climb to slightly higher ground for views of the fields and wooded hills of Surrey.

05 - Witley to Haslemere

This route can be completed as two shorter walks using the 71 bus at Chiddingfold to connect with at Godalming, Witley, or Haslemere stations.

06 - Haslemere to Liphook

There’s a steady climb from Haslemere Station but it’s worth it for this lovely walk through the woodland and heathland of the Surrey/Sussex border.

07 - Liphook to Liss

This is an opportunity to be out in delightful heath and woodland along the Hampshire and West Sussex border. The route follows sections of several long-distance paths: The Serpent Trail, The Sussex Border Path, and The New Lipchis Way.

08 - Liss to Petersfield

Follow the Shipwrights Way to the delightful town of Petersfield. We will stray slightly from the main route to explore paths that are better suited to walking.

09 - Petersfield to Rowlands Castle

This is the longest section of the Hills to Harbour trail but has much to offer. From Petersfield, with its market square and inviting backstreets, cross open farmland to the village pond of Buriton and then climb into the chalk downland around Queen Elizabeth Country Park.

10 - Rowlands Castle to Havant

Leave Rowlands Castle, with its typical, Hampshire village green, and follow the Staunton way to the country park of the same name where there is plenty to see. The route then follows mostly quiet roads and paths to Havant.

11 - Havant to Bedhampton

Immediately after leaving Havant Station, the route winds through Havant Park to the High Street where you will find plenty of shops, cafes, and pubs. Then quiet paths and lanes meander down to the waterfront at Langstone with its pubs overlooking the harbour. If you are interested in birds, keep your binoculars handy.

12 - Bedhampton to Hilsea

Explore life at the edge of the water at the Farlington Marshes Nature Reserve and then continue through the historic northern defences of Portsmouth, Hilsea Lines.

13 - Hilsea to Fratton

Meander the creaky waters of the eastern coastal path to Milton Locks, a disused lock on Portsmouth’s former canal from Guildford. Then head in land past the home of Pompey, Portsmouth’s Football Club.

14 - Fratton to Portsmouth & Southsea

Enjoy a day at the seaside with all the usual treats. When you have had your fill of ice cream, there are museums to explore and lots to keep the whole family happy. The route takes you to Southsea seafront, a traditional ‘seaside’ with beach, pier, park, aquarium, and museums.

15 - Portsmouth & Southsea to Portsmouth Harbour

Walk back in time to the Cathedral and historic docks. Finish at the ultra-modern Gunwharf Quays and Spinnaker Tower. If you still have some energy, there is HMS Victory and the Mary Rose to explore at the Navel Dockyard close by.