The best walks and hikes around Colemore And Priors Dean

Yes, the area is well-known for its excellent circular walks. These routes often combine rolling hills, ancient woodlands, and open farmland, with many conveniently starting and ending at traditional country pubs. A great example is the Shoulder of Mutton viewpoint loop from Trooper Inn, which offers fantastic views and returns you to your starting point.

Many trails are designed around the area's classic pubs. For a quintessential pub walk, consider the loop that includes The Pub With No Name. This route takes you past the Wheatham Hill Trig Point and is a favorite for combining a good hike with a rewarding stop.

While the region is known for its rolling hills, there are gentler options suitable for beginners or those looking for a less strenuous walk. The View from the Poet's Stone loop from Hawkley is a shorter, easy-rated trail that still provides beautiful woodland scenery and rewarding views without major climbs.

Yes, the area is generally very dog-friendly, with many footpaths and bridleways suitable for walking with dogs. However, you will be walking through farmland with livestock and across country lanes. Always keep your dog under close control, especially near sheep, and be prepared to put them on a lead when required.

Parking is typically found in informal lay-bys near trailheads or at the country pubs that serve as popular start and end points for many circular routes, such as The Trooper Inn or The Pub With No Name. Please park considerately and avoid blocking gateways or narrow lanes.

The area is quite rural, making public transport challenging. The nearest major town with a train station is Alton. From there, you would likely need to use a local bus service, which may be infrequent, or a taxi to reach the trailheads. It's best to check local bus timetables in advance.

Colemore and Priors Dean offers beautiful scenery year-round. Spring is particularly stunning when the ancient woodlands are carpeted with bluebells and wild garlic. Autumn provides rich colours across the landscape, while summer offers long days for extended hikes. Winter walks can be crisp and rewarding, but be prepared for muddy paths.

Yes, the Hangers Way, a 21-mile long-distance path, runs through this region, taking hikers over steep hills and through quiet woodlands. You can walk sections of it as part of a day hike. The 50-mile Shipwrights Way also passes through the wider East Hampshire area, tracing the historic route of oak from forest to shipyard.

The landscape is rich with history. You can walk through the sites of the deserted medieval villages of Colemore and Priors Dean. Many trails also lead past historic churches, such as the 11th-century St Peter ad Vincula in Colemore and the church in Priors Dean, which features a magnificent ancient yew tree in its churchyard.

While the area isn't known for large waterfalls, some routes pass by charming water features. The Mill Lane Waterfall – Shoulder of Mutton Viewpoint loop incorporates a visit to a small, scenic waterfall as part of a wider, moderately challenging hike through the Hampshire countryside.

The Hangers are a series of steep-sided wooded hills that are a defining feature of the local landscape. The name comes from the Old English 'hangra', meaning a wooded slope. They provide a stunning backdrop and offer some of the more challenging climbs and rewarding panoramic views in the area.

The trails around Colemore and Priors Dean are highly rated by the komoot community. Hikers often praise the peaceful atmosphere, the beautiful sylvan scenery, and the mix of open downland and shaded woodland paths. The panoramic views from viewpoints like Shoulder of Mutton Hill are also frequently mentioned as a highlight.