The Serpent Trail is a 106 km long distance footpath. It runs from Haslemere in Surrey to Petersfield, crisscrossing the Hampshire, Surrey, and Sussex borders. It is within the South Downs National Park but the landscape is very different from the South Downs. It’s called the Serpent Trail because although as the crow flies Haslemere and Petersfield aren’t far apart, the trail slithers and slides its way through the countryside like a snake. You also pass through some serious snake habitat, although don’t let that put you off.
Planning your walk
The Serpent Trail is well waymarked but because it is such a winding route and the landscape is ever growing and changing, it is easy to miss a waymarker and get lost. Particularly if you are chatting away with your walking companion. The waymarkers are colour-coded according to your direction of travel. Purple is Haslemere to Petersfield. Green is the other way.
Chris Packham opened the Serpent Trail in 2005, so it’s relatively new. If you’re using a printed Ordnance Survey map, check that it shows the route. My copy of Ordnance Survey Explorer 133 does not show it. But my OL 10 does. Alternatively, use an App like All Trails. There is also a map you can download from the South Downs National Park website.
The start point in Haslemere is officially from the railway station but we couldn’t find any signage and the maps say that it starts just off the High Street at Swan Barn Farm. What3Words: dolls.twitching.decays.
The end point in Petersfield is off Sussex Road at Petersfield Heath near Heath End. What3words: pastime.rice.whirlpool
The South Downs National Park suggested itinerary of walking the whole trail is to break it into 11 stages. However, of course, your itinerary may be determined by parking and fitness.
Parking
There is parking at:
- Blackdown
- Marley Common
- Linchmere
- ChapelCommon
- Durfold Heath
- Tullecombe
- Woolbeding Common
- Henley
- Lodsworth
- Tillington
- Petworth
- Fittleworth
- Sutton Common
- Lavington Common
- Ambersham Common
- Stedham
However, some of the above is street parking.
The route
From Haslemere, the route takes you to Blackdown and the Temple of the Winds, before doubling back to Marley Common. From there, you travel roughly west to Linchmere, and Stanley Common. Then it’s south west to Chapel Common, Rake and Combe Hill.
Next, you change direction and head south east towards Borden before heading slightly north east to Titty Hill. You walk to the north of Midhurst as you now walk east to Henley before dropping south east to Upperton, Tillington and Petworth. Then it’s east for a while across to Flexham Park and then south to Fittleworth. From Fittleworth, the path takes a south west direction to Sutton Common and Sutton End before you turn north west to Heath End.
From Heath End, you are walking west via Lavington Common, Graffham Common, Ambersham Common and Cocking Causeway. Then the Serpent Trail starts to travel north again to Stedham and Iping Common and then more or less west to Nyewood. From there, the final leg takes you north to West Heath Common and then west to Petersfield.
Points of interest
There is plenty of interest on route. The landscape here is diverse and made up of heathland, greensand and woodland which means if you’re with a guide or know what you’re looking for, there is plenty of wildlife to discover along the way.
From the heather and gorse-covered lowland heaths and wooded paths, look out for snakes, lizards, butterflies, bird life, bilberry and impressive ancient trees.
The Serpent Trail sculpture
There are also five sculptures along the trail at Blackdown, Woolbeding, Lavington Common, Graffham Common, and Stedham Common. There are two more in this sequence but they are not on the Serpent Trail.
Vineyards and National Trust
If you want to deviate off the trail, there are vineyards at Blackdown and Stopham (near Fittleworth). There are also National Trust properties at Woolbeding and Petworth. The towns of Petersfield, Haslemere, Midhurst, and Petworth are all historic towns worth a visit and along the route, with minor detours, there are ancient churches to explore. For places to stay on route, try Titty Hill Farm.
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