The Meon Valley Trail from Wickham

Walking and cycling the former railway line

The Meon Valley Trail is a traffic-free walking and cycling path that follows the route of the former Meon Valley Railway from Wickham northwards through the Hampshire countryside. The trail is one of the finest recreational routes in the county and is accessible directly from the village.

The railway opened in 1903, connecting Alton to Fareham via West Meon, Droxford, and Wickham. It closed in 1955, and the trackbed has since been converted into a path suitable for walking, cycling, and horse riding. The gentle gradient of the former railway makes the trail accessible to users of all abilities, and the surface is maintained by Hampshire County Council.

From the Wickham access point on Station Road, the trail heads north through farmland and woodland, passing through the village of Droxford (approximately four miles) and continuing to West Meon (approximately eight miles). The trail passes through some of the most attractive landscape in Hampshire, with chalk downland, river valleys, and mature woodland along the route. The views from the higher sections extend across the Meon Valley to the South Downs.

Droxford station, now a private residence, is a landmark along the route. It was here, in 1944, that Churchill and allied leaders held a secret meeting in a railway carriage in the build-up to D-Day.

The trail is popular with walkers, cyclists, runners, and horse riders. Weekend use is heavy during spring and summer, though the trail is long enough to absorb the numbers without feeling crowded. Dog walkers use the southern sections near Wickham heavily.

The trail connects to the wider footpath network, allowing circular walks that combine the trail with riverside paths and lanes. For cyclists, the trail provides a safe, traffic-free core route that can be extended onto the quiet lanes of the Meon Valley.