- Haslemere to Petersfield
- Long distance trail
- Iconic landmarks
- South Downs views
- Diverse landscape
- Unique flora and fauna
- Delicious local food, wines and beers
- Highest point in South Downs National Park
- Temple of the Winds
- Adventure pack
- Personal service
- Bag transfers
- Full support
Explore a landscape shaped over the last 5000 years by local communities who sought sanctuary and made this area their home. The Serpent Trail is a 64mile heathland trail which starts in Haslemere and finishes in Petersfield. This stunning walking holiday will snake through habitats rarer than the rain forest, summit the highest point in the South Downs National Park and wander through beautiful landscapes and tranquil rural villages.
Your senses are truly immersed in the sheer natural beauty, peacefulness and solitude of the glorious countryside around you, and this hidden gem of a long distance walk is just waiting to be discovered. Throughout your walking holiday on the Serpent Trail, the range of wildlife, flowers and landscapes provide the perfect tonic to reconnect with nature while the views across into the South Downs National Park and Surrey Hills are there to be savoured. It is not a surprise that Tennyson and Elgar made their homes in this glorious location.
At the end of each day you will arrive at your accommodation with a choice of pubs and restaurants for dinner. After breakfast, its time to head out onto the trail with your route cards and map for guidance and keeping you informed of points of interest along the way. In the meantime your bags will be transferred to your next overnight accommodation and will be ready for your arrival.
You will be spoiled for choice for places to eat and drink along the trail. With welcoming pubs and restaurants, quaint sandwich shops, and local artisan bakeries all awaiting you. There will be numerous opportunities to sample local food, wines and beers along with our seasonal recommendations.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you would like to discuss your booking in more detail and we would be delighted to share our knowledge and passion for this stunning area with you to help ensure you have the perfect trip.
Walk Information
This walking break is available on a date to suit you (subject to availability) for a recommended total of 5 days walking and 6 nights accommodation (additional nights are available if you would prefer to complete the route at a more leisurely pace). For a shorter walking break we can also offer the ‘Serpent Head’ and ‘Serpent Tail’ self guided trails and are always more than happy to create something more bespoke to suit your aspirations and plans. We strongly advise booking your trip in advance as places are limited. The trail can be enjoyed all year round.
On booking you will receive a fully detailed itinerary, type of accommodation and a price quote. Your lunch and evening meal isn’t included in the package, but we include full details and recommendations for each meal option in your itinerary. You will normally be within walking distance of a pub, restaurant or at your accommodation and will make recommendations based on our knowledge of the area. We suggest budgeting an additional £35-£40 per day per person for lunch and dinner.
With your bag transfers all taken care of, all you need to concentrate on savouring the views of the glorious corner of the country and putting one foot in front of the other. You can have complete confidence that we will take care of your every need.
We take the time to find out more from you about the experience you would like, the things you enjoy and your travel plans. We then use our passion, experience and local knowledge of the area to craft an itinerary just for you.
We are out and about in the South Downs every week guiding and instructing and we have walked the routes and trails many, many times. The area is like a second home to us, so you can be sure that you will be receiving the very best in terms of experience and expertise. We work extremely closely with the National Park to ensure that all our trips, walks and activities are delivered sustainably and in line with their ethos.
Itinerary
This itinerary is flexible and can be adjusted to suit your requirements.
Day 1: Arrive in Haslemere and transfer to first night’s accommodation
N/A
Day 2: Haslemere to Liphook
Short train journey required
Walking distance: 19.5km (12 miles)
Day 3: Liphook to Henley
Short train journey at the start of the day and bus journey at the end required.
Walking distance: 22.5km (14 miles)
Day 4: Henley to Fittleworth
Short bus journey required
Walking distance: 20km (12.5 miles)
Day 5: Fittleworth to Midhurst
Walking distance: 22km (14 miles)
Day 6: Midhurst to Petersfield
Walking distance: 22.5km (14 miles)
Day 7: Depart
What’s Included
- 6 nights handpicked en suite accommodation in selected hotels, farmhouses, village inns, guest houses and family B&Bs with full English or Continental breakfast.
- 5 days walking
- Bespoke, individual service
- Personalised itinerary
- Full route plan, trail notes, OS map
- Nature spotters' guide
- Local history, heritage and geology info
- Local service information - taxis, banks, medical services etc.
- Treats for the walk
- Kids adventure pack (if required)
- Recommended refreshment stops
- Bag transfers between accommodation (1 bag per person). You only need to carry a small day sack with the clothes and provisions for the day’s walk.
- Full support from our Sussex HQ before your trip, and during your trip, even out of office hours
Terrain
The Serpent Trail is a relatively gentle long-distance trail that winds its way through some of the most beautiful landscapes in West Sussex and Surrey. Following the distinctive sandstone ridge known as the Wealden Greensand Ridge, the Serpent Trail links heathland, woodland, rolling countryside and river valleys, making it an excellent choice for walkers looking for a varied but accessible challenge.
Terrain: Varied and scenic. The trail passes through heathland, ancient woodland, farmland and picturesque villages, with many sections crossing the unique sandy landscapes of the South East.
What’s it like underfoot? Generally good. Expect a mixture of well-maintained footpaths, woodland tracks, sandy trails and bridleways. The sandy soils drain well, although some woodland sections can become muddy following prolonged wet weather.
How much up & down? Moderate. While there are no major climbs, the route undulates steadily as it follows the Greensand ridge, with a series of short ascents and descents through wooded hills, heathland and river valleys. Most walkers find the gradients manageable.
Signposting: Generally very good. The trail is waymarked throughout with the distinctive Serpent Trail logo, making it easy to follow.
Navigation: Straightforward for most walkers. The route follows clear paths and tracks.
Weather: The exposed heathland sections can feel warm in summer and breezy in winter, while woodland areas offer shelter from the elements. Conditions can change throughout the day, so comfortable walking footwear, suitable clothing and waterproofs are recommended whatever the season.
Highlights: Extensive heathlands rich in wildlife, ancient woodland, sweeping countryside views, picturesque villages and some of the finest remaining lowland heath habitat in England. Keep an eye out for adders, deer, nightjars and a variety of rare heathland plants along the route.
Accommodation
Good accommodation and friendly hosts are an essential part of any holiday. We understand this and go out of our way to find the best that we can. We put a great deal of effort into hand picking our accommodation and matching it to individual customer requirements. As well as visiting the accommodation ourselves, we ask all our customers to complete a short evaluation on each night’s accommodation, which then gives us an insight into the day-to-day operation and lets us spot any potential issues before they become a problem.
We use a variety of accommodation. Over the course of your trip you might stay in a village pub, a bed and breakfast, a Victorian guest house, or on a working farm. In selecting the accommodation we look for helpful, friendly hosts with good quality, characterful accommodation close to the trail. Occasionally we may use a chain hotel.
Our preference is to provide en suite accommodation, however in some of the more remote locations accommodation is limited and occasionally we may have to book rooms with shared bathrooms or accommodation further off the trail and which may require additional transport (especially if the booking is made at short notice), but we will always let you know if this is likely to be the case.
Prices are based on a ‘from’ price, depending on accommodation type, seasonal variation and availability. Accommodation is based on two sharing an en-suite room, staying on a bed & breakfast basis (single accommodation is available at a supplement).
Travel
General travel information for the Serpent Trail will be included in your holiday pack, including train and bus timetables where available. Detailed instructions on getting to your first night’s accommodation by car, or on foot from the nearest train or bus station, will also be included in the holiday pack on individual accommodation maps. To view train times please visit trainline where you can also purchase tickets in advance. For information on bus timetables please visit traveline.
Getting to Haslemere:
By Air: The nearest International Airports to the trail are London Gatwick and London Heathrow. There is a railway station at Gatwick Airport with frequent trains to Guildford where you then change for your journey to Haslemere. Trains also run frequently between London Heathrow (Terminals 1, 2 and 3) and Haslemere changing at Waterloo and Reading (journey time approx 2 hours).
By Public Transport: There is a railway station at Haslemere. Haslemere Railway Station is located on the South Western Main Line with frequent trains to and from London Waterloo station.
By Road: Haslemere is located not far off the A3. If travelling from the North, follow the A3 southbound towards Guildford and Portsmouth. Leave the A3 at Haslemere Hindhead junction. Follow the A287 and B2131 to Haslemere.
Returning from Petersfield:
By Public Transport: There is a railway station at Petersfield. Petersfield Station is located on the South Western Line with frequent trains to and from London Waterloo.
By Road: Petersfield is also located off the A3.
Rest Days
Petworth
Midhurst
Insurance
It is your responsibility to ensure any insurance taken out is appropriate for your trip and the activity you will be undertaking. Pied A Terre Adventures cannot advise on insurance policies or be held responsible if, in the event of a claim, your insurance is inadequate.
Trip Cancellation/Curtailment Insurance Insurance should be booked as soon as we confirm your trip is going ahead. Deposit and balance payments are non-refundable unless it is Pied A Terre Adventures who cancel the trip.
Baggage Loss/Equipment Damage We advise insurance which covers baggage loss/equipment damage.
