Serpent Trail
A 64-mile long-distance path in Hampshire, Surrey, and West Sussex which snakes its way to visit many picturesque locations across the region. Highlights include Haslemere, Uppington Common, Tillington, Petworth, Flexham Park, Fittleworth, Burton Park, Gallows Hill, Graffham Common, Dunford House, Nyewood, and Petersfield. With map, statistics, and GPX route file.
Statistics and Files
Grid Ref: SU 905 331
Distance: 64 miles (103 km)
Time: 25–32 hours
Duration: 4–6 days
Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps (1:25,000):
OL8 Chichester, South Harting and Selsey
OL33 Haslemere and Petersfield
OL34 Crawley and Horsham
121 Arundel and Pulborough
Summary
The Serpent Trail is a long-distance footpath in the south-east of England running from Haslemere to Petersfield. The starting and finishing points of the 64-mile walk are just 11 miles apart in a straight line; the extended distance is achieved by a serpentine route designed to join up the many heathland areas on greensand in the western Weald.
The path takes its name both from its serpentine shape and from passing through the habitat of all three British species of snake (Adder, Grass Snake, and Smooth Snake). Significant places on the route starting in Haslemere are Black Down, Marley Common, Stanley Common, Chapel Common, Rake, Combe Hill, Woolbeding Common, Bexleyhill Common, Uppington Common, Tillington, Petworth, Flexham Park, Fittleworth, Hesworth Common, Sutton Common, Collumn Hill, Chingford Pond, Burton Park, Duncton Common, Lavington Common, Gallows Hill, Graffham Common, Ambersham Common, Heyshott Common, Dunford House, Cocking Causeway, Midhurst, Stedham Common, Trotton Common, Nyewood, and West Heath Common before finishing in Petersfield.