Blackwater Valley Path

i Image by Yateley Town Council

How would you rate Blackwater Valley Path?

Tap a star to share your experience and help other hikers.

Blackwater Valley Path: Easy River Walking on the Hampshire–Surrey Border

Published 17 July 2025 Updated 5 June 2026

737

Ranked #737 of 974

See the Top 100 →

HikeList Score

Blackwater Valley Path scored 75/100 on HikeList's trail-quality metrics.

Very Good

See score breakdownHide breakdown

Ideal length 63
Balanced challenge 50
Scenery & wildness 98
Varied terrain 71
Accommodation 66
Food & support 88
Path quality 98
Season flexibility 89

Computed from length, challenge, scenery & wildness, terrain variety, accommodation, food & support, path quality and season flexibility.

The Blackwater Valley Path is a 37 km waymarked point-to-point walk in southern England, following the River Blackwater along the Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire borders. It is an easy, mostly flat lowland route with about 80 m total ascent, best done over 2 relaxed days or as shorter station-to-station sections. Expect riverside paths, wetlands, former gravel-pit lakes, meadows, woodland edge and some suburban fringes. For similar gentle lowland walking, compare the Ashby Canal Trail or the Amber Valley Route.

Route Overview

The route starts at Rowhill Nature Reserve, also known as Rowhill Copse, near Aldershot at the source of the River Blackwater. From there it follows the river east and north through Aldershot, Farnborough, Frimley and Blackwater towards Sandhurst, with several urban-edge sections and road crossings. West of Sandhurst the feel changes: the path threads quieter meadows, flooded former gravel pits, Shepherd Meadows, Trilakes Country Park and the Moor Green Lakes area before finishing near Swallowfield, where the Blackwater joins the Whitewater to form the Broadwater before the Loddon. Rail access is unusually good, with stations near Aldershot, Ash, North Camp, Farnborough North, Frimley, Blackwater and Sandhurst. For a longer river-based walk elsewhere, see the Annandale Way.

History of the Blackwater Valley Path

The Blackwater Valley Path is a modern recreational route, created and maintained by the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership, also styled the Blackwater Valley Countryside Trust. Its purpose was to reconnect a once-neglected river corridor shaped by former gravel workings into a continuous public walk linking reserves, country parks and meadows. Hampshire County Council has published a guidebook to the path. The route’s best-known historical link is at Eversley, where Charles Kingsley was rector at St Mary’s Church and is buried in the churchyard.

Notable highlights

Tice's Meadow: A nature reserve on the site of the former Farnham Quarry near Pea Bridge. The path follows its northern edge, making it one of the best birdwatching stops on the route.

Shepherd Meadows: A riverside SSSI near Sandhurst, made up of traditional wet meadow. Look for rare native black poplar, summer wildflowers and breeding birds such as kestrels, warblers and flycatchers.

Trilakes Country Park and the gravel-pit lakes: Beyond Sandhurst the route becomes more rural, with flooded former gravel pits flanking the river. These lakes, including the nearby Moor Green Lakes area, are important for nesting and migrating birds.

Basingstoke Canal aqueduct: Near Aldershot, the path crosses the historic Basingstoke Canal where it is carried over the Blackwater. It is a distinctive early engineering feature on the walk.

St Mary’s Church, Eversley: A medieval church associated with the Victorian author and naturalist Charles Kingsley, who was rector here and wrote The Water Babies. He is buried in the churchyard.

Swallowfield confluence: The quiet rural finish lies near the point where the Blackwater joins the Whitewater and briefly becomes the Broadwater before flowing into the River Loddon.

Challenges to expect

The walking is mostly easy, but wetland and meadow sections can become muddy, boggy or flooded after heavy rain, sometimes requiring short detours. Waymarking with the blue coot-and-reed logo and green arrow footprint is generally good, but pay attention at junctions and road crossings in the urban first half. In summer, nettles, brambles and riverside vegetation can crowd the path, and midges may be noticeable in marshy areas.

737

Ranked #737 of 974

See the Top 100 →