This popular trail is used all year round by hikers, runners and twitchers, and it starts right on our doorstep at Brades Acre Touring Park, in a free to use car park just a half a mile west of our village, Tilshead SP3.
The circular route across the chalk grassland of Salisbury Plain should take you around three hours to complete, and is described as “moderately challenging” – though some walkers have said it is hillier than they anticipated and it can be very muddy in the winter. Older children should be able to manage the route, and dogs are permitted as long as they are on a lead. It’s not a route recommended for wheelchairs or buggies.
Just a word of warning: this trail goes through a part of Salisbury Plain owned by the Ministry of Defence, and you may well come across some military activity on the way. There’s no live ammunition used here, though, and all you have to do if you see any troops or tanks is give way, keep your distance and follow orders.
Brief Overview:
This walk starts off from the car park on a stone track, heading downhill past a section of woodland to the valley bottom. You’ll pass an ancient long-barrow burial mound, and then be presented with some spectacular views across Salisbury Plain, rich with abundant wild flowers (in summer) and plenty of wildlife – especially birds and butterflies.
As you continue across grassy fields you’ll pass by a mock village, built during the Cold War, still used for army training, followed by another ancient burial mound known as White Barrow.
Following the Imber Range Path you’ll reach the village of Tilshead, and after passing the church, village hall, pub and petrol station you’ll find a side road pointing to Chitterne, which returns you to the car park where the walk began.
