2019 Walking Challenge: The Test Way

Are you looking for an exciting challenge in 2019? Have you made a New Years Resolution to take more exercise or to lose weight? Do you enjoy walking? Would you like to see more of this part of the world? If the answer is Yes to any of these, our 2019 Walking Challenge could be for you!

In 2019, we will be walking the Test Way – a 47 mile footpath which starts on the chalk downs of Ink Pen, near Newbury and follows the course of the River Test all the way to Eling in Southampton where the river joins Southampton Water and eventually flows out to the open sea. The River Test is a Hampshire’s finest and longest chalk stream, known for its famously clear waters and fantastic trout fishing. The Test Way makes its way through some of Hampshire’s most interesting landscapes – tidal marshes, water meadows, hills with fantastic views and quiet woodlands, as well as passing through some of Hampshire’s most picturesque villages with listed buildings, historic churches and unique houses.

The Test Way Challenge will also be great preparation for our 2020 Walking Challenge when we’ll tackle the 100 mile South Downs Way from Winchester to Eastbourne.

How it works

We have divided the walk into six sections, each of which will be walked as a one day walk led by the lovely Brenda, our Hampshire walk leader. The dates and sections are as follows:

19th May - Inkpen to Hurstbourne Tarrant (8 miles)

23rd June - Hurstbourne Tarrant to Longparish (9.2 miles)

14th July - Longparish to Stockbridge (8 miles)

18th August - Stockbridge to Mottisfont (6.7 miles)

15th September - Mottisfont to Romsey  (6.4 miles)

6th October - Romsey to Eling (8.7 miles)

To keep costs down, we will meet at a car park at the end of the walk and will then car share back to the start of the walk. Once we have completed the day’s route, those with cars at the end of the walk will drop those who drove to the start back to their cars, before making their way home. Our aim is to use free car parks where we are able to.

As the entire route is within the Thames Valley and Solent area, it shouldn’t be too far for any of our members to travel.

What happens if I can’t make one of the dates?

If you’re not able to make a date, after we have walked it we will give you the maps and info so you can walk a section on your own and still complete the challenge!

Can I walk just a section or two?

We have limited spaces available for the Challenge so priority for the walks will go to those who have booked the Challenge as a whole. If there are any spaces available after all Challenge walkers have been accommodated, places may be sold for individual walks – but there is no guaranteed availability. It’s also slightly cheaper to book the Challenge as a whole rather than six individual walks.

Remember, if you need to renew your gear, your SPICE membership can get you discounts with key suppliers of outdoor wear, including Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock, Ultimate Outdoors, Mountain Warehouse and Trespass. For full details, see Useful Info: Spice Extra Discounts on your dashboard.