Six days, lots of water and the occasional ice cream were needed for me and a friend to complete all 125 km (78 miles) of this Pewsey Vale walking route in July. This waymarked long-distance path was launched a few years ago as part of the Walkers Are Welcome accreditation. It encompasses the vale and passes through our home village Great Bedwyn, so that’s where we started.
Our first few days were soggy, with frequent downpours. The extensive views from the top of the Wansdyke were interrupted by low cloud but our daily morning dose of coffee and pain-au-raisin kept our spirits up as we continued west on the trail to Bishop Cannings where we met two familiar friends, the Kennet and Avon Canal and Penny Croutear from All Cannings, who had helped to test the Bedwyn Footpaths Group’s published walk routes. As we crossed the vale towards Upavon the weather cleared for the panoramic views across the northern edge of Salisbury Plain.
Just before Hippenscombe valley we met some volunteers from Swindon and North East Wilts Rambler’s clearance team. They had travelled a long way south to work on the paths and their efforts were much appreciated as it saved us from having to push through shoulder-high vegetation. By the time we reached the heights of Fosbury Hill fort and Combe Gibbet the temperature had risen to 27 degrees. I was grateful that my companion on this walk was Angie White, an experienced outdoor and first aid instructor. She not only carried the bulk of the water, but also gave me frequent reminders to drink more water as I struggled uphill in the heat, seeking pockets of shade to shelter from the blazing sun. Our penultimate day ended with a much-needed drink at the pub in Ham. Ron Forbes of the Crown and Anchor was one of the creators of this route.
On the final day, as we approached home near Chisbury, we stepped aside to cheer on the And-over Trail event runners who had left Linkenholt that morning attempting to run the complete circuit in under 24 hours. 16 runners of the 32 finished the tough course within the allotted time. A stunning fastest time of 14hrs 39mins was achieved by Justin Montaque and second was Fleur Mountjoy with a time of 17hrs 25 mins. I really admire their incredible 78mile run, the most we walked on any one day was 16 miles.
Our husbands, Dave and Steve, kindly provided support for our walk and ferried us daily between sections. We were welcomed home at the end of the 6 days at The Three Tuns where we finally threw down our rucksacks at the bar and downed a few refreshing drinks.
Cyclists can also undertake a version of this route. Walking and cycling instructions and GPX files can be downloaded from https://www.visitpewseyvale.co.uk/pewsey-vale-circular-way/
The instructions divide the route into 7 more leisurely paced sections and the Wilts Connect on-demand bus service could be used to reach each section.
This is a lovely, varied route of ancient trails, through woodland, meadows and over downland around the Pewsey Vale. It has stunning views to the north and south across the North Wessex Downs National Landscape. Walking it really made me appreciate the beautiful Wiltshire countryside.
