Serpent Trail
A 64 mile (108 km) route starting at Haslemere and ending at Petersfield.
Tell me moreThis serpentine route snakes through the beautiful West Sussex heathland.
Route information
Start/finish
- Haslemere High Street - Grid ref: SU 905331
- Petersfield - Grid ref: SU 754226
For use by
Access to the trail is granted to walkers. The trail uses public rights of way, private permissive routes and a few quiet roads, which link much of the access land in this area.
Nearest locations
Petworth and Midhurst
Terrain
Heathland
Highlights
Waymarked by Serpent Trail discs, the route showcases the work of the Sussex Wealden Greensand Heaths Project and highlights the outstanding landscape of the Greensand hills. The trail 'snakes' by Liphook, Milland, Fernhurst, Petworth, Fittleworth, Duncton, Heyshott, Midhurst, Stedham and Nyewood to finally reach the serpent's 'tail' at Petersfield.
Transport
- By road: The AA
- For details of public transport, visit our public transport pages, or call Traveline.
Maps
Information about useful leaflets, booklets and maps is available from the Long Distance Walkers Association website.
About the Serpent Trail
- The official guide is from the South Downs National Park Authority.
- The Trail passes through a number of National Trust sites including Black Down, Marley Common, Woolbeding Common and Lavington Common - more information can be found on the National Trust website.
- The Sussex Wildlife Trust (SWT) works on several heaths to restore and recreate heathland on the greensand. SWT sites on the route include Stedham Common, parts of Iping Common, Burton and Chingford Ponds and The Mens - more information can be found on the Sussex Wildlife Trust website.
- The Serpent Trail would not exist if it wasn't for the hard work and dedication of the heathland volunteers.
- Where you see the open access symbol, you can leave the trail and walk, picnic, observe wildlife, run or climb within the mapped area. You can find further information on open access land on GOV.UK.