Introduction Comments Map GPS Weather Photos Videos History Download Walk (pdf) TOCW2 Walk 11 Petersfield to Selborne or Alton Option (pdf)

Petersfield to Liss walk

Shoulder of Mutton Hill (steep, fine view) and a very walker friendly pub

South Downs National Park Hampshire

History

This is a list of previous times this walk has been done by the club (since Jan 2010). For more recent events (since April 2015), full details are shown.

Date Option Post # Weather
Sat, 12-Oct-24 Petersfield to Liss or Alton - Shoulder of Mutton Hill and the Hangers Way 8 a fair bit of rain
Wed, 28-Jun-23 Petersfield to Liss 10 hot muggy day
Sat, 24-Sep-22 Petersfield to Liss 16 sunny weather with some clouds
Sun, 03-Apr-22 Petersfield to Liss 2 brilliant sunshine with a cooling breeze
Sat, 21-Sep-19 Petersfield to Alton (or to Liss) - The Hampshire Hangers 19 hot sun
Wed, 17-Jul-19 Petersfield to Liss 14 sunny and hot humid later on
Sun, 17-Feb-19 The Hampshire hangers 6 splendid spring sunshine turning cooler and darker after lunch
Sat, 10-Mar-18 Petersfield to Liss 7 Cloud rain mist sun
Thu, 21-Sep-17 Along the Hangers Way in Hampshire, and down Shoulder of Mutton 1 wet
Sun, 04-Jun-17 Petersfield to Liss 5 sunny
Sat, 08-Oct-16 Saturday First Walk - The Hampshire Hangars 21 a couple of showers on an otherwise mild and cloudy day
Wed, 06-Apr-16 Midweek day walk - Petersfield to Liss 9 overcast in the morning a shower during lunch and a brighter afternoon
Wed, 12-Aug-15 Midweek day walk - Petersfield to Liss 13 Light cloud and quite humid with an occasional welcome breeze
Sun, 15-Mar-15 Petersfield to Liss 5
Sat, 18-Oct-14 Petersfield to Liss 12
Sun, 12-Jan-14 a Petersfield (short circular walk) 6
Sat, 22-Jun-13 b Petersfield to Selborne 15
Sat, 22-Jun-13 b Petersfield to Alton
Sun, 09-Jun-13 Petersfield to Liss 12
Wed, 03-Apr-13 Petersfield to Liss
Sun, 16-Dec-12 Petersfield to Liss, via Hawkley short cut
Sat, 26-May-12 Petersfield to Liss
Sun, 02-Oct-11 Liss to Petersfield
Sat, 09-Apr-11 Petersfield to Liss
Sun, 26-Sep-10 Petersfield to Liss
Sun, 15-Nov-09 Petersfield to Liss
Sat, 10-Oct-09 Petersfield to Liss
Sun, 14-Jun-09 Petersfield to Liss
Sat, 07-Mar-09 Petersfield to Liss
Sat, 16-Aug-08 Petersfield to Liss
Sun, 04-May-08 Petersfield to Liss
Sat, 01-Dec-07 Petersfield to Liss
Sun, 27-May-07 Petersfield to Liss
Walker
Length: 16.6km (10.3 miles) to Liss, or 23.8km (14.8 miles) to Alton T=2.11
9.30 train from Waterloo, arriving Petersfield at 10.33

From Clapham Junction, catch the 9.27 Exeter-bound train to Woking, changing there (arrive 9.46, depart 9.55) to the above train.

Buy a day return to Petersfield.

If doing the Alton ending, you might just get away with using the Petersfield return, since that is more expensive than an Alton return, but as South Western Railway can sometimes be a bit hardline about tickets it is probably best to get a single from Alton to Woking (£8.85 with railcard).
This very pleasant walk in a wooded area of the South Downs has a bit of a kicker mid morning in the prolonged and steep climb of Shoulder of Mutton Hill - an ascent of Scottish proportions. (There is a more gentle zigzag way around it, but I have never tried this). The views from the top are worth the effort.
These exertions means that lunch, at the lovely Hawkley Inn, is not quite as early as it seems (4 miles into the walk). This place is always popular, and I have made a booking for four people (it would not let me do a bigger table...) for 12.45. It might be an idea if someone added another four: if so, please post a comment, so we don't end up overbooking.
Ending in LISS 16.6km (10.3 miles)
After lunch you can do the circular walk to Liss, which is very pleasant, if not quite as scenically exciting as the morning. The walk directions are here, the GPX here and a map of the route here.
Trains back from Liss are at 12 past the hour
Ending in ALTON 23.9km (14.8 miles)
For more red-blooded walkers, since the Great Darkness (not to mention the Great Muddiness...) will soon be upon us, I propose doing a little-used variation to this walk, which is to follow the Hangers Way to Selborne and then on to Alton. A GPX and walk directions are provided for this as far as Selborne, and then you use the Alton Circular route (walk directions, GPX and map).
The Selborne Arms is a possible refreshment stop, or, if you can get to it before its miserably early closing time of 3.30pm, White's Cafe, attached to Gilbert White's House

After Selborne it is a further 10.7km (6.6 miles) to Alton. There are two options here:
- Do the afternoon of the Alton walk. There is a substantial climb up the zigzags onto Selborne Common at the start of this, but after that it is easy going. You pass two more pubs (in Upper Farringdon and Chawton) and the last 1.8 miles (from Chawton onwards) are on lit streets, so doable in the dark.
- Reverse the morning of the Alton walk using the GPX: arguably a tad more scenic than the afternoon route (though both have their moments), but you avoid the big climb up onto Selborne Common, and the approach to Alton is more rural.
Trains back from Alton are at 14 and 43 past
  • Fri, 11-Oct-24

    I deleted the following comment when I reloaded the walk, but repost it here. We now have 8 places for lunch (I booked four)

    tartanrug has left a new comment on your post 'Petersfield to Liss or Alton - Shoulder of Mutton Hill and the Hangers Way':

    Have booked the second table for four at I o’clock. Nice to tarry on the hill and enjoy the view.

  • Sat, 12-Oct-24

    8 on this walk. If others were out off by the weather forecast, they were not entirely wrong. There was a fair bit of rain , much of it during lunch, but also for about an hour after.

    As for doing this walk before the Great Muddiness starts, my bad, as the young say. The slithery kind was well in evidence, as were large puddles of standing water. The bit in the valley after Shoulder of Mutton Hill that is often very gloopy in winter was….very gloopy.

    But it was not all negative. The sun shone for a time in the morning, particularly on the stunning climb up Shoulder of Mutton Hill, and those of us who walked to Alton had sun for a time later in the afternoon. This is also gorgeous territory, rich with woods and pasture. There were good amounts of autumn colour, for example on beech and field maple.

    We had booked two tables at the Hawkley Inn, but only one was needed, as only four lunched. One other joined us for a drink, while the other three presumably went on to Liss. One of the lunchers broke protocol and ordered a starter, so in the end we all did. The starters were delicious, inventive and generously portioned. The mains that followed were too. We all agreed that rarely have we had such nice pub food.

    After lunch all five of us set off together. At the decision point one decided to walk to Liss, leaving four of us to walk to Alton. Near Noar Hill forestry contractors had made a mess of the path, so three went one way and one another. We met up on the far side, however, and had a scenic walk to Selborne.

    Here we avoided the village and headed straight for the Zigzag Path up onto squelchy Selborne Common. We ploughed on across the downland to Upper Farringdon, avoiding the pub there. But once in Chawton we felt a drinks/tea stop was in order, so we spent a cosy half hour of so at the Greyfriars pub.

    On then through Alton where one dashed for the 7.14 train and three of us dashed to Waitrose for wine and humous. The train dasher missed the train anyway, so all four of us got the 7.43. The train manager grumpily accepted our Petersfield returns “though they are not really valid”.

Wed, 28-Jun-23 : Petersfield to Liss 10
Wanderer
Wanderer

T=2.11

Length: 16.6km (10.3 miles)

Difficulty: 5 out of 10

Train: Take the 10.00 Portsmouth Harbour from Waterloo (10.25 Woking) to arrive in Petersfield at 11.11. Return trains from Liss are at xx:02 and xx:23.

Buy a return to Petersfield.

Much of this walk follows the Hangers Way, a long distance path which lies within an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The walk passes through unspoilt countryside which remains as it was several hundred years ago.

Lunch: The suggested lunch stop is the Hawkley Inn (tel 01730 827205), 6.6km into the walk. The pub has a garden and serves food 12 - 2pm, bar open until 3pm.

Tea: In Liss the tea stop formerly suggested has been replaced by the Turtle Bean Cafe, 41Station Road (tel 01730 890419. It closes at 3pm. Alternatively, the Whistle Stop pub (tel 01730 890464) is at the bottom of Hill Brow Road, 150m past the station.

  • Mon, 26-Jun-23

    It is many a moon since I last tackled this walk, but I do recall the ascent of Shoulder of Mutton Hill shortly after walk start is very step and a lot more than 5 out of 10 in toughness (but it is the only hill on the walk). Also, this walk is a pig when it comes to stiles. Whilst several in the afternoon have been replaced with kissing gates, there are still many stiles on this walk, and not all are in good condition. This is not a walk for those with mobility issues.

  • Mon, 26-Jun-23

    There is the option of a gentler ascent of the Shoulder of Mutton hill and the possibility of shortening the walk by looping back to Petersfield. I hadn't realised there were so many stiles on this walk. Apologies to those who may be put off by this.

  • Tue, 27-Jun-23

    No problem, Wanderer - the stiles will not be problem for our younger walkers - they are just an unwelcome challenge for oldies like me !

    On the other side of the balance sheet, the Hangers Way today should be mud free (it is a mud-fest in winter) and views today along the route, especially in the afternoon, should be magnificent. The lunch time pub might have changed hands a few times since I last dined there, but on that occasion both the food and drink were very good.

  • Thu, 29-Jun-23

    10 turned out on a hot muggy day to tackle the dreaded hill and the obstacle course of stiles of which we had been warned. However, the drought of recent weeks had baked the mud and we had no trouble getting up the hill other than the oppressive heat. Thankfully there were intervals of shade along the way. Two had lunch at the Hawkley Inn, eight picnicked on benches under the shade of ancient trees outside the church which conveniently had a tap to top up our drinking water. The afternoon had more meadows, fields of crops and leafy lanes. Paths were generally well maintained and stiles were not a major feature. Some may have been replaced by kissing gates and some had gates next to them which we were able to use instead. Most reached Liss at 4pm. 2 caught the train at 4.02, 7 went to the Whistle Stop pub for refreshments and caught the 5.03 train back to London.

Sat, 24-Sep-22 : Petersfield to Liss 16
PeteG
PeteG
Petersfield to Liss T=2.11

"Much of this walk follows the Hangers Way, a long distance path which lies within an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Much of the walk is in unspoilt countryside which remains as it was several hundred years ago. The very steep ascent of Shoulder of Mutton Hill can be avoided by taking a slightly longer alternative route. Whichever route is taken the view at the top is spectacular."

Length: 16.6km (10.3 miles) Toughness: 5/10

Trains: Get the 1000 Portsmouth Harbour Train from Waterloo arriving Petersfield 1105 (Woking 1025) . Direct return trains are 1628, 1728. 1828 2028. Changing at Petersfield at 1849.
Get a return to Petersfield. There are some advance tickets available.

Lunch: The suggested lunch stop is the Hawkley Inn (tel 01730 827205 ), 6.6km into the walk. The pub has a garden and serves home cooked food until 2.30pm. Booking is advised.

Tea: The suggested tea stop is Wine Bar & Coffee House at 41-43 Station Road open to 5pm. An alternative is the Whistle Stop pub at the bottom of Hill Brow Road, 150m past the station.
  • Thu, 22-Sep-22

    Apparently the pub is closed for annual leave

  • Fri, 23-Sep-22

    Hawkley Inn on Twitter

    “For your information, we will be closed 19th - 27th September for our annual break but we will look forward to welcoming you back on our return.”

  • Wed, 28-Sep-22

    Accounts vary but my sources say up to16 were on this walk in sunny weather with some clouds . "Great day out, vintage SWC"

Sun, 03-Apr-22 : Petersfield to Liss 2
Mr M Tiger
Mr M Tiger
10.3miles (7 miles with shortcut)
Toughness 5/10
This walk takes you along the Hangers Way through unspoilt Hampshire countryside. There is a steep climb up Shoulder of Mutton Hill - with good views back - but you can take a longer gentler route up if you prefer. Later, there are good views down the other side, as is quite often the case with hills.
Trains: Get the 09:30 Portsmouth Harbour train from Waterloo (Clapham Jct. 09:39) arriving Petersfield 10:45.
Trains return from Liss at xx:29. Get a return to Petersfield
Lunch: The Hawkley Inn in Hawkley (01730 827205) Phoning advised.
Tea: The Whistlestop pub, just past the station.
Directions: here. The walk can be shortened to 7 miles by following the shortcut below (not included in the directions but described on the intro page under ‘walk options’).
  • "The length of this walk can be reduced by 5.5km by taking a shortcut at point [6]. From the Hawkley Inn head east along Pococks Lane [i.e turn left coming out instead of right] and continue on a footpath heading north-east to Upland Lane. Turn right onto this road to rejoin the main route between points [8] and [9]."
T=2.11
  • Sun, 03-Apr-22

    Are people on the later service?

  • Sun, 03-Apr-22

    Two of us were on the delayed 9:30 from Waterloo and started 5min late. Didn’t see anyone so we headed off. Was anyone else out today?

  • Mon, 04-Apr-22

    2 ?

    (Feel free to update)

  • Mon, 04-Apr-22

    The train set off ten minutes late, and we two were ordered off at Haslemere as it wasn’t going to stop at Petersfield.

    Then came the U-turn and we're ordered back on board. Only five mins late in the end despite the drama.

    The Shoulder of Mutton hill is a tough nut to crack, but the weather was perfect, brilliant sunshine with a cooling breeze

    The Hawkley Inn was officially booked up, but with their usual can do attitude, they rustled up what my companion described as the best Halloumi veggie burger he’s had in a long time.

    No hills, just beautiful woodlands and quiet pastures after lunch. In Liss we had time for another pint in the public bar of the Whistle Stop. Friendly, with excellent ales, it was full of local men who could cut up that fallen tree or unblock a drain for you. Quite lacking in Islington marketing or PR types, which makes a change. A wonderful day out.

Walker
Petersfield to Alton - 23.9km (14.8 miles) T=2.11

or Petersfield to Liss - 16km (10.3 miles): see SHORTER OPTION below

Toughness: 8 out of 10

9.30 train from Waterloo to Petersfield, arriving 10.33

From Clapham Junction get the 9.27 Exeter/Bristol train and change at Woking (arrive 9.45, depart 9.55)

 Buy a day return to Petersfield, but on the way back you will also need a single from Alton to Woking (£7.20 with a Network Card)

 Looking at the other two walk posts, I see it falls to me this week to choose the longer/adventurous walk. It is also that time of year when the awful prospect of early dusks looms, and the thought that it would be nice to make good use of the daylight hours we still have.

Hence this little combination walk, which was last given an outing in 2016. It involves doing the Petersfield to Liss walk to its midpoint (directions, gpx, map), but then staying on the Hangars Way to Selborne, from where one can hook up with the Alton Circular walk (a GPX and map of this link route is included in the Petersfield to Liss ones: for walk directions click here).

By this route it is 4.1 miles to Hawkley, the lunch stop on the Petersfield to Liss walk, and another 4.1 miles to Selborne, making 8.2 miles in all from Petersfield to Selborne. I mention this because the Hawkley Inn can be very popular and booked up, though some past walk reports suggest that you can eat food in its garden even if it is full within. Otherwise the Selborne Arms is a charming pub, though annoyingly it stops serving food at 2pm. Perhaps with a 10.30 start this will be possible for some of our faster walkers, however.

Selborne also has two cafes - the Selborne Tea Rooms and the cafe of the Gilbert White Museum (which has now been rebuilt and is easily accessible without the need to go into the museum), which are open all afternoon. There are emergency lunch backstops, or if you have lunched in Hawkley they make ideal tea stops.

From Selborne, you follow the afternoon of the Alton Circular walk (directions: from paragraph 61 on page 6, GPX, map). It is 6.6 miles to Alton, though the last 1.8 miles is on lit roads (unless you choose the slightly alternative ending - option b) - over the fields), so it should be easily doable before dusk. Refreshment stops on this walk include the Rose and Crown pub in Upper Farringdon, and the Greyfriar in Chawton.

Trains back from Alton are at 15 and 44 past.

SHORTER OPTION

 The 38 bus linking Selborne and Alton no longer runs on Saturdays, so ending the walk here is no longer possible. The only option for a shorter walk, therefore, is to do the Petersfield to Liss walk in its entirety, which is 10.3 miles. The route diverges from the Petersfield to Alton one about two miles after lunch.

Trains back from Liss are at 02 past the hour and your Petersfield return is valid

  • Sat, 21-Sep-19

    So that was summer. The last day of hot sun . On it 19 assembled on Petersfield station and set off for the South East’s very own north face of the Eiger, the vertical grassy wall of Shoulder of Mutton Hill. We shot up it like the proverbial rocket, feeling very fit, only to be passed by a band of teens, who, let’s face it, were neither carrying rucksacks or wearing boots: so it was easier for them, right?

    Traversing the lovely semi-wooded territory to Hawkley we got to the Hawkley Arms at 12.15, when there was only one other lunch party there. There was ample space in the sun-drenched garden. The three first to order got their food in about ten minutes. The rest of us, who had ordered minutes later, waited about an hour. When we left, the inside of the pub was heaving, leaving me to suspect they prioritised inside orders over garden ones.

    In the afternoon at least ten of us did the longer walk to Alton, meaning the rest presumably went to Liss (separate walk report welcome). We got to Selborne at 3pm and split between the Selborne Arms, the Selborne Tea Rooms and the new outside cafe of Gilbert White’s House, which is highly recommended and even had vegan and gluten-free cakes, plus a charming view of the back of the house. The pub types sneaked off ahead of us, but stopped in the idyllic and busy garden of the Rose and Crown in Upper Farringdon to let us catch up.

    We then carried on to Alton, as the golden sun set, never to return before next May, and got the 6.15 train, whiling away the journey to London with wine, chips and dips.

  • Anonymous
    Sun, 22-Sep-19

    Thank you walker for posting the walk. My apologies for dashing of early as I want explore Noar Hill nature reserve. Disappointment. Very overgrown and paths in the reserve needs some maintenance. Meadow flowers suffering from lack of rain. Gentians totally withered away before flowering. Detour to Noar Hill hill itself not on OS map but on GPS (right hand corner of OS explorer map} Nice views and should be good colour when leaves turn colour. Failed to make it to Alton ran out of water. Return to Liss one path was blocked by farmer despite being public right of way. No choice but clim over the gate. Took an easy stroll along the river. Met 3 other SWC walkers at Liss station. Enoyable day out espeically the Hangers and the meadows. Deserve another visit when spring comes next year. Monica

Wed, 17-Jul-19 : Petersfield to Liss 14
PeteG
PeteG
Petersfield to Liss T=2.11

Much of this walk follows the Hangers Way, a long distance path which lies within an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Much of the walk is in unspoilt countryside which remains as it was several hundred years ago. The very steep ascent of Shoulder of Mutton Hill can be avoided by taking a slightly longer alternative route. Whichever route is taken the view at the top is spectacular.

Length: 16.6km (10.3 miles) Toughness: 5/10

Trains: Get the 1000 Portsmouth Harbour Train from Waterloo arriving Petersfield 1103. Direct return trains are xx02, 1623, 1723. Changing at Petersfield are 1821, 1906, 1922.
Get a return to Petersfield. There are some cheap advance tickets available.

Lunch: The suggested lunch stop is the Hawkley Inn (tel 01730 827205 ), 6.6km into the walk. The pub has a garden and serves home cooked food until 2pm. Booking is advised.

Tea: T he suggested tea stop is Wine Bar & Coffee House at 41-43 Station Road open to 5pm. An alternative is the Whistle Stop pub at the bottom of Hill Brow Road, 150m past the station.


  • Anonymous
    Mon, 08-Jul-19

    Have booked a table for 6 diners at 1 o’clock as this pub is always mobbed with pensioners (moan) walkers (moan) cyclists (👍) assorted day trippers ⛱and locals🦏 You may wish to sit in the garden on the day. If you are in two minds about pub or sandwiches go pub as it used to be super good. The Lunch Monitor.

  • Fri, 19-Jul-19

    The walk started somewhat inauspiciously as we hung around Waterloo waiting for the delayed 10.00 train to appear on the board. Finally we boarded the train and the delay reached 30 minutes, due to various factors for the inbound train.

    There were around 13 of us off the train at Petersfield but that increased to 14 later (bit hazy on the numbers but I think there were 10 pub lunchers and 4 packed lunchers). The weather was sunny and hot to begin with, becoming hazier and a bit humid later on. We got the steep ascent up the Shoulder of Mutton hill done in the first part of the walk which was a relief in the heat, what a hill ! I think nearly all took the steep route up the hill rather than the graduated ascent. After a breather we headed off and I heard several walkers remark what a nice, varied walk it was, lots of woodland, so there was welcome shade; pretty wildflowers; some apathetic sheep; some cattle (but always fenced off from the walk route). Some of the stiles in the walk details have been replaced by kissing gates – super-sized gates, so easy to get through. The Hawkley Inn pub lived up to its reputation, the food was lovely, not just your average pub grub. We had a table booked but half of our number ate outside. The staff were friendly and efficient. After lunch, the packed lunchers sped off, some racing to get the 16:23 train. Others made the 17:02 after a dash to the local off-licence for refreshments. That train was then delayed 30 minutes coming into Waterloo due to a track fire which had caused knock-on chaos for other platforms. All in all a very nice day, it was a lovely walk and thanks to Pete for posting and the lunch monitor for organising the lunch booking !

  • Fri, 19-Jul-19

    14

    sunny and hot humid later on

Sun, 17-Feb-19 : The Hampshire hangers 6
Chris L
Chris L
Petersfield to Liss
Length: 16.6km (10.3 miles) Toughness: 5/10

09:30 Portsmouth Harbour train from Waterloo (Clapham Junction 09:39) arriving at Petersfield at 10:43.

Return trains from Liss are at xx:29 (journey time 1 hr 19 mins). Buy an off-peak day return to Petersfield.

This lovely walk is mostly through unspoilt countryside, much of it following a section of the Hangers Way, which runs along a series of steep-sided wooded hills, known as “The Hangers”. It includes a very steep ascent of Shoulder of Mutton Hill, with spectacular views from the top. A gentler ascent is described in case the main route is too slippery.

The recommended lunchtime pub, the Hawkley Inn (01730 827205), 6.6 km into the walk, welcomes walkers but is usually busy, so do phone ahead to reserve a table.

You will need to download the Walk Directions.

T=2.11
  • Anonymous
    Fri, 15-Feb-19

    HOPE TO ATTEND THIS WALK as well provided i am not tired out after Saturday Halsemere to Midhurst walk.

    MONICA

  • Anonymous
    Sun, 17-Feb-19

    Hi Chris,

    Request for walk for Sunday 24th Feb

    Could a Sussex/Berks/Hants walk be put on for the 24th that is a few miles longer than the current Effingham offering for that day, please? Thank you.

  • Anonymous
    Mon, 18-Feb-19

    It seems Monica was not the only one clapped out by Saturday’s walks, as just 6 turned up for this outing in splendid spring sunshine turning cooler and darker after lunch . All but one (in training for a charity challenge in Ethiopia’s mountains) took the longer route up Shoulder of Mutton hill. The fully booked Hawkley Inn (the locals book two months ahead, allegedly) served some rather good snacks at the bar. However this proved inadequate for one discerning gourmand, who, desirous of a proper table setting and a full luncheon with all the trimmings, set off to find another pub where such was said to be available. She has not since been re encountered. The rest returned to town on the 16.29.

  • Anonymous
    Mon, 18-Feb-19

    Sorry meant to attend this walk but like you said I was clapped out but not by the walk it was the dreadful high and bad stiles that did my shoulder and wrist some damage. Could not use my left hand shoulder and wrist properly even with the splints. I believe there are numerous stiles on this walk. Perhaps next time when my wrist and shoulder are better I shall attempt this walk.

    Monica

  • Anonymous
    Mon, 18-Feb-19

    Lol ! Kind of you to call me a gourmet, I fear that I’m just plain greedy. Anyway, all is well, I found a pub serving food and enjoyed a nut roast; not so good as the grub on offer at the Hawkley Inn, but it sufficed. Made it to Liss in time for the 3.30, but that was by walking mainly on roads. From what I saw on the first half this is a beautiful walk.

    See you next time !

    Gabriella

Sat, 10-Mar-18 : Petersfield to Liss 7
DAC
DAC
CW2 11 Petersfield to Liss
Length: 16.2 km (10.1 miles).
Toughness: 5/10

Catch the 10:00 from London Waterloo arrives Petersfield 11:00. Buy a day return to Petersfield.

Return trains from Liss xx:02, 17:48, xx:02 until 23:02. T=2.11
  • Tue, 06-Mar-18

    Intend going.

  • Thu, 08-Mar-18

    Did this walk a few weeks back, the views from the top of the shoulder of mutton are wonderful, enjoy.

  • Fri, 09-Mar-18

    The excellent Hawkley Inn claimed to have no tables between 12.15 and 1.30 when I rang them yesterday. So an emergency snack should be packed and perhaps others might like to ring them again and see if there are any cancellations. Just a thought.

  • English_teacher
    Fri, 09-Mar-18

    I'm not intending to go (please note the use of the infinitive here, rather than the gerund "intend going", which is not normal English usage)

  • Fri, 09-Mar-18

    Grammar has never been a strong point of mine, but one might argue that while "intend going" may not be grammatically correct, the it could be regarded as normal English usage ...

  • Anonymous
    Sat, 10-Mar-18

    Hi, A few people have asked me if I started the great 'infinitive-gerund' debate. Not guilty! Happy walking - Kevin

  • Sun, 11-Mar-18

    7 on this walk. Most of us did the steep climb up to Shoulder of Mutton where we had Cloud rain mist sun . 6 had sandwiches in Lych gate of church. Lovely atmospheric walk through misty woods and huge swathes of wild garlic and moss making it all very green

Marcus
Book 2 Walk 11 (r): Liss to Petersfield

 Length: 16.2 km (10.1 miles)
Toughness: 5 out of 10


London Waterloo: 10-00 hrs Portsmouth Harbour service (does NOT stop at CJ)
Arrive Haslemere: 10-48 hrs
Leave Haslemere: 10-55 hrs Portsmouth and Southsea service
Arrive Liss: 11-06 hrs

Clapham Junctioners
Clapham Junction: 09-52 hrs Portsmouth and Southsea service (which left Waterloo at 09-45 hrs)
Arrive Liss: 11-06 hrs

Return: Petersfield to Waterloo: 10, 18, 48 and 57 mins past rhe hour

Rail ticket: buy a day return to Petersfield


A fellow walk poster suggested I post this Book 2 walk in reverse, as there is more going on in Petersfield than in Liss at walk-end. I have done this walk backwards once before, and I recall it does work the wrong way round. Backwards, you get the plethora of stiles out of the way in the morning and later you descend the steep Shoulder of Mutton hill rather than climb it.
Much of the walk is along the Hangers Way long distance path (muddy in winter) but hopefully fine today. Lunch is taken at the usually good Hawkley Inn, some 10 km from Liss - so no dawdling today if you want a pub lunch. Booking ahead is advisable (01730-827205) and to check the pub is open - it's up for sale.
On arriving in Petersfield I leave it to you to explore the town and discover its fleshpots, or for the less hedonistic amongst you, suitable stops for tea.
T=2.11
Walk Directions here L=2.11

Tips on "Walking Backwards" here
  • Anonymous
    Tue, 22-Aug-17

    Would the poster kindly correct the train info.

  • Wed, 23-Aug-17

    Train info correct per my railway website

  • Fri, 15-Sep-17

    I'm away this week so I hope our mid-week walkers work out how to follow a walk "backwards" - it's not too difficult.

  • Wed, 27-Sep-17

    Shame no one turned up for this walk, particularly as it had been requested - and backwards - for today.

  • Wed, 27-Sep-17

    0 then?

    But on a philosophical note, how do you know that no one turned up? If there was someone there to observe that no one was there, then someone did turn up.....

  • Anonymous
    Thu, 28-Sep-17

    In answer to Marcus and Walker, actually I did part of the walk that day. Unfortunately I managed to miss the 10.00am train by a few seconds, so caught the next one to Petersfield (non-stopping at Liss). From here, knowing the forecast was rain, I decided to shorten the walk and caught the bus up to Selborne. Had a cup of tea in the Gilbert White's House cafe (free admission), then climbed Selborne Common hill via the zig zag path. At this point the light persistent rain set in, but I was not downhearted. The Hangars Way sustained me as it was very beautiful all the way back to Petersfield. A little muddy in places with some slippery stiles, but quiet and picturesque, with mist draping over the wooded hills. thanks for posting Marcus. E.D.

  • Anonymous
    Fri, 29-Sep-17

    1 wet

Sun, 04-Jun-17 : Petersfield to Liss 5
Mr M Tiger
Mr M Tiger
Petersfield to Liss Book 2, Walk 11.
17.2 km 11 miles (7 miles with shortcut)
Toughness 7/10

This walk takes you along the Hangers Way through unspoilt Hampshire countryside. There is a steep climb up Shoulder of Mutton Hill - with good views back - but you can take a longer gentler route up if you prefer. Later, there are good views down the other side, as is often the case with hills.
Trains: Get the 09:30 Havant train from Waterloo (Clapham Jct. 09:39) arriving Petersfield 10:39.
Trains return from Liss at xx:29. Get a return to Petersfield
Lunch: The walker-friendly Hawkley Inn in Hawkley (01730 827205) Phoning advised.
Tea: There are several tea places in Liss. Some are said to be open on Sundays - check out the High Street.
The Whistlestop pub, just past the station, will be open. It has been fairly friendly in the past.
An earlier option, the Spreadeagle is only slightly off the walk route, on the road into Liss from the cemetery (Farnham Road), near the junction with Hawkley Road).
Directions: available here or in book 2.
Note that the short walk option in the directions (option a) has no lunch stop. The detour described is not a right of way.
This suggestion, from the comments page, would shorten the main walk's afternoon and reduce the total length to 7 miles. It isn't included in the walk text.
  • "Leave the Hawkley Inn and turn left onto the road instead of right, heading east. In 250m go straight across a T-junction and take the fenced footpath opposite between fields. In 350m turn right onto a lane, rejoining the main walk between [8] & [9], just after you would have passed a house called Uplands. Pick up the book directions at "In 200m you go steeply downhill..."
T=2.11

  • Thu, 01-Jun-17

    Hi, Where are can I meet you?

    Thanks

  • Fri, 02-Jun-17

    We usually congregate on the platform after we get off the train. You may spot some walkers on the train. Recognisable by their boots. If they're carrying our directions, they're most likely on our walk.

    Y

  • Sandy
    Sun, 04-Jun-17

    4 got off the train at Petersfield; one waited for a friend leaving three to complete the main walk in sunny weather. Lots of wild flowers e.g. orchids and scarlet pimpernel on Shoulder of Mutton hill. I can't report on the refreshment options I'm afraid, as the front group had a picnic lunch and two of us made a bolt for the train at Liss having got there with 2 minutes to spare.

  • Sun, 04-Jun-17

    Yes, plus one = 5 on walk. Saw Orchids. Diverted to the Harrow at Steep (one of the top national inventory pubs, ie unchanged since time began, in the land), as well as the Hawkley and the Spread Eagle-which I also recommend-Gavin

  • Anonymous
    Sun, 04-Jun-17

    5

Walker
Walker
Book 2, walk 11 - Petersfield to Liss or Alton
Length: 16.2 km (10.1 miles) or 23.9km (14.8 miles)
Toughness: 5 out of 10

9.30 train from Waterloo to Petersfield, arriving 10.31

(From Clapham Junction you can take the 9.27 to Woking, arriving 9.45, to catch the above train at 9.55)

Buy a day return to Petersfield.

For walk directions (main walk to Liss) click here. For the extension, see below.

 I thought it would be nice to do this fine Hampshire outing before winter mud makes it too slithery. The morning is a tour-de-force, taking you out of Petersfield and up a stunningly steep path onto Shoulder of Mutton Hill (there is a gentler way up also), with correspondingly fine views from the top. You then descend into lovely hilly/wooded territory. Lunch is in the Hawkley Inn, which serves food till 2.30pm.

After lunch the 16.2km (10.1 mile) version of the walk is to simply stick with the book two route to Liss, from where trains go back at 02 past the hour, with one mysterious extra train at 17.48. If you just miss an 02 past train it is theoretically possible to take the 06 in the other direction, changing to the opposite platform at Petersfield for a fast train to London.

 Or do the extension to Alton: see below

 EXTENSION TO ALTON

 This is a long walk (23.9km/14.8 miles) but may tempt the more red-blooded among you looking to make the most of the daylight before the short days come.

It makes use of directions found in this document, which link the Walk 11 route with Selborne, the lunch stop on Book 2, walk 10, Alton Circular, essentially keeping along the Hangar's Way after lunch in Hawkley - a very pretty route, taking in Noar Hill and some lovely countryside.

It is 6.4 km (4 miles) from Hawkley to Selborne and once upon a time you could catch a bus there back to Petersfield. But alas, this bus no longer runs on Saturdays, so you have to continue on foot another 6 miles or so to Alton. It is thus 10 miles from Hawkley to Alton if you do this option

To get from Selborne to Alton either follow the book 2 walk 10 route in this document from paragraph 61 (turning left off the road just before the Selborne Arms, since you are coming from the opposite direction), or - nicer but requiring a map or the ability to read walk directions backwards - reverse the morning route of that walk, which also follows the Hangar's Way.

Tea options en route are plentiful and include the pleasant Selborne Arms (though not the Queen's Arms, which is now closed), the tea room in the nearby Gilbert White Museum (which can be visited without paying the entrance fee, if you ask nicely), and possibly the Coffee Room cafe between the two (if it is still there). If you follow the afternoon route of the Alton walk, the Rose and Crown in Upper Farringdon is also a tea/drink option along with the Greyfriar Inn in Chawton. And incidentally if light is fading you can do the whole rest of the walk from the Greyfriar in the dark as it is all on residential or town centre roads.

Note that if you do this option, you will have to buy an extra single train ticket from Alton to Woking, which is £6.80 with a Network Card. Trains leave Alton at 15 and 44 past.


  • Sat, 08-Oct-16

    21 managed to disentangle themselves from the Guildford walkers who were also on the same train (whoops - my posting error!) and set off for a lusty climb of the superb Shoulder of Mutton Hill, the Matterhorn of the Saturday Walks. Arriving at Hawkley we found the lunch pub much changed from its former rough and ready days - smartly laid out tables and "have you booked?" We had not, but they accommodated us without demur and portions were big.

    After lunch there was the first of a couple of showers on an otherwise mild and cloudy day . Soon after, the parting of the ways: ten of us set off through a field of horses to do the longer walk to Alton: that presumably means eleven carried on to Liss.

    We Altonians had a very nice walk to Selborne - this really is a pretty section - and there split between the pub and the lovely tea room in the Gilbert White Museum for mid afternoon "refreshies". We then opted to reverse the morning of the Alton walk - lovely territory at least as far as East Worldham and interesting to see it from the opposite direction. We arrived in Alton exactly as dusk was falling and didn't feel tired, not one tiny bit.

    Most of us squeezed into the Railway Inn where we had an education from one of our party in inventively named real ales. Six of us got the ? 7.44 ? train and had wine and dips to while away the journey. (I mention this because one of our number said "You never mention the party we have on the train home." So there: I mentioned it)

Mike A
Mike A

Petersfield to Liss - a slightly challenging ascent onto the Hangers Way

Stunning views (weather permitting), the Hangers Way and a nice pub with real ale and good food.

Book 2 Walk 11

Length : 16½ km or 10½ miles

Toughness : 5 out of 10

Getting there : Catch the 10:00 am train from London Waterloo (Woking 10:25 am) to Portsmouth Harbour.
Clapham Junctioneers should catch the 9:52 Portsmouth Harbour & Southsea train from that station and change at Woking to join the Waterlusians train at 10:25. At the time of writing, both trains are advertised to use platform 5 at Woking

Meeting point : Petersfield Station at 11:00 am

Tickets : Buy a £15 South West Trains Promotion Ticket before midnight on the day prior to the walk (Thank you for pointing that out Thomas) or a cheap day return to Petersfield on the day.

Brief Description

An ever popular walk where the Hangers is designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty. Walkers normally take a breather at Edward Thomas's Memorial Stone towards the top of the Shoulder of Mutton hill. If the visiblity is good, the vista to the south is well worth a good look there.
There is a short cut immediately after the lunch venue, cutting 5½ km of the walk should you wish.
You may find full details of the walk here and a downloadable PDF here

Suggested Lunch stop

Suggested Tea stop

Whistle Stop, Liss t: 01730 890464 (150 metres past the station at the road junction)

Map

OS Explorer : OL33 (was Explorer 133)

Return train times

Trains return from Liss at the following times 15:02 | 16:02 | 16:23 | 17:02 | 17:23 | 18:02

  • Tue, 29-Mar-16

    The SWT £15-Promo for off-peak day returns is still running (book b4 midnight the day b4). Valid on any W'loo departure from 09.00 onwards, on this line...earlier start ?

  • Tue, 05-Apr-16

    I'm planning to go on this walk tomorrow, but i wouldn't like to be in my own :) Is anyone else going ?

  • Tue, 05-Apr-16

    Intend going at posted time - large table (table 10) booked in bar for a minimum of 8 peeps......at 1 pm

  • Anonymous
    Tue, 05-Apr-16

    Intend going on 10:00am train and have booked a promo ticket today

    Mike

  • Thu, 07-Apr-16

    9 on this walk with weather overcast in the morning a shower during lunch and a brighter afternoon

    Quite a cold day and a fair amount of mud, but superb food at the Hawkley Arms.

    Four curious sheep in the afternoon

Mike A
Mike A

Petersfield to Liss

Shoulder of Mutton Hill (steep, but fine views) and the Hawkley Inn. a very walker friendly pub

Book 2 Walk 11

Length : 17 km or 10.5 miles

Toughness : 5 out of 10

Getting there : Catch the 10:30 am train from London Waterloo to Petersfield.
Clapham Junctioneers should catch the 10:27 to Woking and change there (currently platform 4 to 5) to catch the 10:55 and join the Waterlusians for the remainder of the journey

Meeting point : Petersfield Station at 11:31

Tickets : Buy a cheap day return to Petersfield

Brief Description

Get a cardiac workout on the Shoulder of Mutton hill and check out the wonderful views at the top (weather permitting). Look out for the Memorial Stone dedicated to the Poet Edward Thomas towards the top of the hill.
(A ditty by him also appears at Adlestrop on the walk from Kingham to Moreton-in-Marsh)

You may find full details of this walk here and a downloadable PDF here

S uggested Lunch stop

Hawkley Inn (tel 01730 827205),

Suggested Tea stops

Maps

OS Explorer : OS33 (mobile digital download available)

Return train times

Trains return from Liss to London, Waterloo at the following times ...
:02 minutes past the hour - journey time 1 hour 12 mins
:23 minutes past the hour - journey time 1 hour 20 mins
  • Mon, 10-Aug-15

    A great walk with a nice lunchtime pub where the long table in the bar awaits us. Don't worry about the hill, you can go round it. Also short cut after lunch for those who over indulge.

  • Marion
    Wed, 12-Aug-15

    Intend coming and would prefer to avoid the hill!

  • Anonymous
    Thu, 13-Aug-15

    12 and 1 early bird on this walk. Light cloud and quite humid with an occasional welcome breeze .

    All twelve went for the direct ascent at the Shoulder of Mutton and were rewarded with great views. The group arrived a little late at the Hawkley Inn, but most agreed the food and drink was good.

    Three groups in the afternoon, two with sandwiches set off early, followed by the hares, then those who weren't in such a hurry to get back.

  • Anonymous
    Tue, 02-Jan-18

    Historical duplicate/misleading attendance numbers cleanup project: 13