ONE OF THE EASIER LEGS WITH A MILDLY UNDULATING FIRST HALF ALONG THE RIDGE THEN DESCENDS SHARPLY FROM RAWLESBURY CAMP AND GAINS A LITTLE HEIGHT IN THE LAST MILE. 
THE FIRST MILE TAKES A GOOD TRACK THEN 1.5 MILES OF ROAD. THE SECOND HALF IS MAINLY FIELD PATHS.

  1. Start at Okeford Hill car park (GR813093). Changeover in the track on the west side of the road. Follow the track along the southern boundary of the car park. There are 1 or 2 markers on this 1.25 mile straight. Pass the National Trust 'Ringmoor' and the radio mast on your left.

  2. At the tarmac road curve left along it. Follow the road for a mile, pass Baker's Folly house on the right to reach Bulbarrow Hill viewpoint and crossroads.

  3. Fork right at the crossroads signed 'Stoke Wake' and 'Mappowder' and pass the tall masts on the left.

  4. Keep straight on at the first and second junctions. Just beyond the second one, the road descends. At the fingerpost, go left trough the gate into Rawlesbury Camp.

  5. Once through the gate, head initially towards the wooden pillar on the highest mound. Your way goes to the left of the two main mounds to a little metal gate in the trees.

  6. The way emerges onto a rampart.
    7. Leave this to pass left of the gorse. Pass immediately to the right of the hawthorn bush ahead and onto a metal farm gate. Look for a gate below the notch of the 'Dorset Gap' in the skyline. The direct line has a dangerous drop, so head half right just left of a clump of trees to descend down a ridge and go to the gate just to right of the angle of hedges.

  7. The path diagonals left down the next field, but take the right-hand of the 2 gates. Run down the left edge of the long field to a metal gate and continue through the stream bed to Crocker's Farm.

  8. Go straight across the road. Take the concrete track. Once through the gate at the end of the farm buildings, follow the track to go through the next unmarked gate to reach a gate in front. Go through and diagonal left across the next 2 fields. Run straight across the next field then turn left and follow the edge up into breach wood. Emerge from a short stretch through the trees to the changeover point at Breach Wood barn. (GR753039)

Find us on social media:

 

 

Email: secretary@wessexridgeway.co.uk