target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="#fb3_img_img_32a3c827-5382-5d9a-9cd8-0aa551c71cb6.jpg" alt="Image"/> then turn and continue round to a bridge over the M3. Once across, turn onto a path (SDW) running parallel to the A31. Follow the path to a roundabout, turn and continue alongside the A31, before bearing onto King’s Lane.
2 Continue as the road bends right; turn at the first junction then again to climb, steadily at first then more steeply, through Chilcomb. At the top of the road, turn onto a bridleway and climb steadily to a . Turn and climb fairly steeply up to and around the flank of Telegraph Hill. After the path levels, arrive at a . Turn and continue to a with the A272.
3 Cross over and continue along the SDW, passing through a stand of beech trees, soon descending steadily to pass some farm buildings and arrive at a . Turn to continue on the SDW, taking in a few minor ups and downs and passing through several gates and over several s along the way. After descending a short way across Gander Down, pass through a gate and – forking – climb a little, passing through another gate. Continue along the field edge and, on approaching another gate, swing sharp along the field edge instead (this is one of the easiest places to go astray on the whole SDW). Take the first through a gate (SDW) and continue to a road (A272).
4 Cross over and continue along a byway track through Holden Farm. Continue along tracks for 1.5km before emerging onto a country road. Continue for 1km, turn at a then pass The Milburys pub and turn at a . Continue along the road (the path runs parallel to the left-hand side of the road, but is best avoided if there are walkers) for 1km, then turn off the road and go through a gate at Wind Farm; turn following signs for the SDW. Continue along a track to Lomer Farm then dogleg then then again to pass through the farmyard and exit along the SDW. Continue along a track before passing through a gate onto a country road. Turn ( along a road and continue to a parking area by an area of woodland.
The SDW divides into three variants here – both bridleway routes are open to mountain bikers. The quicker, easier main route is described first: the longer, harder variant follows below.
5 At the parking area, turn first through a gate onto SDW/Monarch’s Way bridleway variant. Descend through woods, pass through a gate and continue to descend along Wheely Down, passing through a couple more gates before turning through a gate and then to descend on a track to Wheely Down Farm. Turn onto a road and continue to a with the A32 at the SW edge of Warnford. Turn into the village then take the first RH turn off the A32 onto Old Winchester Hill Lane. Climb steadily along the lane for 2.75km before arriving at a gate just beyond a LH turn.
Variant via Exton and Old Winchester Hill
1 At the parking area, bear along the road signposted for Exton. Turn sharp at the first junction and keep () at the second. Descend steadily at first, becoming much steeper, along a narrow road known as The White Way. Shortly after the gradient eases, the road bends sharp right; continue to a with Allen’s Farm Lane, turn then again after 200m and continue to a . Turn onto Beacon Hill Lane and follow this road through the village to the A32 (at time of writing there were signposts for the temporary SDW route through Exton). Cross over the A32 and continue along Stock’s Lane for 500m, keep at a fork then turn onto a bridleway (SDW) along a wooded dismantled
target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="#fb3_img_img_32a3c827-5382-5d9a-9cd8-0aa551c71cb6.jpg" alt="Image"/> then turn 