Escape into woods with the scent of pine trees and a soundtrack of birdsong on this walk in the north of the New Forest. This route includes a stop at a viewpoint overlooking the meadows and pastures of the beautiful Avon Valley from the heights of Castle Hill.

Route

From Godshill Inclosure car park, enter the woods through the pedestrian gate at the far end of the car park from the entrance. Follow the short stretch of path and turn right at the first crossroads into an area of pine tree plantation.

Stay on the gravel cycle path for about 700m, through a small clearing until you come to a wide junction at New Forest Cycle Network marker post 2.

Take the turn to the left, just before the cycle marker post.

The narrow track winds though the pine trees. When it splits after 300m, shortly before a stream, take the track on the right – not crossing the stream. Continue through the trees for another 300m before crossing the stream just before the inclosure gate.

Exit through the gate and cross the road before going through another gate on the opposite side. Continue straight on the main path. In springtime, you can see a carpet of bluebells on both sides of the path.

After 500m, turn right and follow the track to the edge of the inclosure and exit through the pedestrian gate.

Turn left and take care as you walk along the roadside for about 150m until you reach the Castle Hill viewpoint. From the benches you can look out towards Breamore, with the pasture and meadows of the Avon Valley and the meandering River Avon spread out below.

Retrace your steps back to the gate. Re-enter the inclosure and follow the path as it crosses a stream. Continue for about 400m until it crosses a second small stream. After the path climbs after the stream, take the track off to the right.

Follow the track downhill and round to the left as it skirts the hillside. After 300m the path begins to climb steeply and eventually joins a gravel path.

Turn left and follow this gravel path, keeping left at a fork in the path a short distance later. After 550m, go through a pedestrian gate, cross the road and enter the inclosure on the opposite side.

A further 300m brings you back to the crossroads in the paths. Turn right to return to the car park.

In Pictures