Activity: St Catherine's Hill Walk

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Pace: Moderate

  • 4

Intensity: Medium

  • 3

Gradient: Medium

  • 3
Explorer WALX

Price: £6.00

  • Smilage Points: 9
  • Distance: 3 Miles
  • Date: Wed 12th February
  • Time: 10:15 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Location Name: St Catherine's Hill Christchurch
  • Address: Hurn Road Shops, Marlow Drive, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, BH23 2UJ, United Kingdom
  • W3W: unwanted.relegate.refrain
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Main Instructor:

Chris Pole

Hosted By:

Chris Pole

Walk Description:

A walk with far reaching views from the top of the hill to  the Isle of Wight.

St Catherine's hill is a 35 hectare area of heathland and coniferous forest. It is part of a ridge between the Avon and Stour valleys. It is a nature reserve and SSSI. The hill is home to the Dartford warbler and sand lizard among a large number of important wildlife species. 

Humans have visited the hill since the Bronze age. The military have used the area since at least Roman times. It served as a training ground for troops during both world wars and was the site of a nuclear bunker during the Cold war.

This walk is a mixture of narrow paths, wide paths and there are areas of tree roots, the path along the top of the hill narrows for a short time.

There are a three hills to increase the intensity. There is an option to take the easier slope rather than the first hill which is quite sandy.

A very pretty walk. 

Coffee after if wanted at The Bunker cafe.

Free parking. Road side parking if carpark is full in surrounding roads.

Please be aware you may hear shooting coming from the gun club who are down in a valley, it sounds very loud on one part of the walk.

 

Location Notes:

Please park in the free carpark. The Bunker cafe is an option after the walk for coffee etc Toilets in cafe. (CP)

WORKING