Itchen Way - Route

Route

The northern part of the path follows the valley of the River Itchen from close to its source at Hinton Ampner. The route passes the springs at the head of the river, before running through New Cheriton, Cheriton. At Tichborne, after touching the edge of New Alresford, the path cuts the corner to Ovington. The river is crossed several times, to Itchen Stoke, Avington and Itchen Abbas. From here the path stays on the right bank to Martyr Worthy.

Between Martyr Worthy and Abbots Worthy the Itchen Way, King's Way, St. Swithun's Way and Three Castles Path form a network either side of the river, allowing various routes to be followed.

From Martyr Worthy the waymarked Itchen Way crosses the river twice to loop through Easton. Back on the right bank the path passes through a tunnel under the M3 motorway to Abbots Worthy, before again crossing the Itchen to join the Three Castles Path (St. Swithun's way and King's Way continuing to Winchester on the right bank). Heading south the Itchen Way passes under the A34 before running parallel with the former route of the former Didcot, Newbury and Southampton Railway between the Winnall Moors nature reserve and the Winnall industrial estate. After a short section along roads it enters Winchester at Durngate. The route then passes along the river through the historic centre of Winchester before following the Itchen Navigation, again running parallel with the former railway past the foot of St. Catherine's Hill.

After again passing under the M3 at the foot of Twyford Down, the Navigation and path cross to the west of the river, past Shawford, Otterbourne and Allbrook, Eastleigh and Bishopstoke. A short diversion beyond Bishopstoke gives access to Itchen Valley Country Park. South of the M27 the path crosses the western suburbs of Southampton. From the mouth of the river at Weston Point, Woolston, an extension of the path runs inland to Millers Pond and Sholing station.