SU4845729327$6!black;12. The walk ends in the Abbey Gardens.
If you left your car in the Park and Ride, you can get the bus from here back to your starting point. SU4854028824$6!blue;11. The lettering on the route signs is intended to look like a train crossing the viaduct SU4858728392$6!blue;10. Another carved route marker - this one with a wheel motif SU4839628014$6!blue;9. Enjoy the fish carved on this route marker SU4811527553$6!blue;8. read the story carved on the barge-shaped stone seat, or just sit and rest your legs. SU4800226926$6!blue;7. take a rest on the curved seat with the railway motif SU4790226798$6!blue;6. Admire the oak route marker: modelled after the tokens used to prevent collisions on single track railways. See wikipedia SU4776726709$6!blue;5. Look for the story caved on the seats SU4770326643$6!blue;4. Wood panel of jogging, cycling and wildlife SU4764726596$6!blue;3. Wood panel of city views SU4757326547$6!blue;2. Pause to admire Nicola Henshaw's wood panel of a steam engine crossing the viaduct SU4749026468$6!yellow;1. If you parked in the layby next to the viaduct, the walk starts here.
You could also park in the Park and Ride or get a bus to the Bushfield Roundabout and follow the path to this start point. 51.022191,-1.3271027$2!black;28. The Bridge Inn marks the end of the trail 51.022471,-1.3288381$2!green;27. Pause to study the map board at the foot of the Down 51.021691,-1.3307599$2!green;26. The War Memorial, with wonderful views over the Itchen Valley 51.022447,-1.3325312$2!green;25. The Wayside Cross marks the spot where troops paused on their way to embark for the trenches in the First World War. 51.02055,-1.3326155$2!green;24. If you want to see the Wayside Cross, fork left. You may see highland cattle. 51.018682,-1.333013$2!green;23. Emerging from the tunnel, cross Otterbourne Road and follow Southdown Road till the path to the left towards Shawford Down. 51.021057,-1.3442423$2!green;22. Keep on along Shepherds Lane. Where the road turns sharp left, take the path on the right down to the tunnel under the motorway 51.020649,-1.3484539$2!green;21. Keep on along Shepherds Lane 51.022589,-1.352975$2!green;20. Keep on along Shepherds Lane with open views to the south 51.023501,-1.3569689$2!green;19. Turn right along Shepherds Lane. Those who have taken a shortcut from Waypoint 11 rejoin the route here. 51.019753,-1.3637785$2!green;18. Head back, now along the Monarch's Way to pick up Shepherds Lane 51.019636,-1.3654624$2!green;17. Arriving at Silkstead, pause to admire the old cottages 51.022639,-1.3652789$2!green;16. The path bends slightly right at Silkstead Manor Farm 51.025889,-1.3626822$2!green;15. Keep on along Silkstead Lane 51.033875,-1.3547147$2!green;14. Head along Silkstead Lane towards Silkstead. 51.035406,-1.3517698$2!green;13. Yew Hill butterfly reserve. If you are lucky you may see Chalkhill Blues or Marbled Whites. 51.03169,-1.3499249$2!green;12. Keep going along Hurdle Way, enjoying the views back over Compton. 51.028107,-1.3458825$2!green;11. Through the gate and carry on towards the Butterfly Reserve, or turn left for a shorter walk. 51.026037,-1.3407499$2!green;10. Emerge onto Hurdle Way. Turn left for the short version of the short walk, otherwise head along Hurdle Way. 51.026095,-1.338268$2!green;9. don't miss the marked fork left 51.025496,-1.3358098$2!green;8. Turn right up Yew Walk 51.028535,-1.3341407$2!green;7. All Saints' Church, Compton 51.028409,-1.3308913$2!green;6. Goldfinch Cottage 51.027494,-1.3281239$2!green;5. Take the long tunnel under the M3 motorway 51.02766,-1.325783$2!green;4. Cross under the railway where the path meets Red Lane 51.027001,-1.3222562$2!green;3. Compton Lock 51.022899,-1.3251106$2!green;2. Follow the towpath 51.021998,-1.3263784$2!yellow;1. After some oral rehydration therapy at the Bridge Inn, if the day looks likely to be warm, the path starts from the bridge over the Itchen Navigation SU4734324957$4!yellow;Waypoint1 SU4782026440$4!violet;Waypoint2 SU4751526497$4!violet;Waypoint3 SU4751827042$4!violet;Waypoint4 SU4771127824$4!violet;Waypoint5 SU4752327869$4!violet;Waypoint6 SU4624827217$4!violet;Waypoint7 SU4581526929$4!violet;Waypoint8 SU4598025614$4!violet;Waypoint9 SU4624025542$4!violet;Waypoint10 SU4632525429$4!violet;Waypoint11 SU4669725327$4!violet;Waypoint12 SU4686525257$4!violet;Waypoint13 SU4690325324$4!violet;Waypoint14 SU4694025144$4!black;Waypoint15