Alton has an incredible history and many interesting places to visit, and is a gateway to the South Downs National Park. We will signpost you to some of the beautiful walks locally and introduce you to the many walking clubs and groups in Alton and surrounding villages.
Walk Alton brings together representatives from local walking groups and clubs alongside the Town Council and local businesses. Walk Alton aims to support and develop walking activities in the Alton area, both for recreation and to support local initiatives to improve people’s health, and to work with the local community, businesses, walking-related organizations & local authorities.
The area around Alton and its surrounding villages has something to offer walkers of all abilities and ages, whether they want to explore the town or stroll through the bluebells in Ackender Wood, or want the challenge of - for example - the Writers’ Way (Chawton to Selborne), or the Alton Six Hills Walk, or the Hangers Way, or to access the St Swithun's Way (Winchester to Farnham). The success of Alton’s annual Walking Festival in May, is indicative of how popular the area is with walkers, whether they live locally or are visiting.
Walkers are Welcome is a nationwide network of accredited towns whose purpose is to develop and promote walking, in areas with something different to offer. This non profit-making initiative was launched in 2007, to encourage towns and villages to be welcoming to walkers. Walkers are Welcome now has over 100 member towns.
Local MP Damian Hinds said: “I applaud the work of Walk Alton in bringing together local walking organisations to promote this beautiful part of England to residents and visitors alike. We’re fortunate to have some of the finest countryside here in East Hampshire, and the annual Alton Walking Festival is an amazing opportunity to discover some of the great walks right on the doorstep of the town.”