Winchester Hiking Trail 2027

The Winchester Hiking Trail begins and ends at Winchester Rugby Club, located off Nuns Walk near Winchester's center. This trail event offers four distance options: 14 miles, 19 miles, a marathon, and a 50K ultramarathon. All distances utilize self-seeded waves according to pace, and chip timing means runners gain no advantage by starting early. The event is designed for those preferring a marked off-road course over a road race, featuring aid stations and cut-off times from 4 hours for the 14-mile option to 8 hours for the 50K. The route departs Winchester along the Itchen Navigation, ascends past St Catherine's Hill, and then proceeds east over undulating paths towards Cheesefoot Head. Longer routes incorporate named trails such as the South Downs Way, Allan King Way, St Swithun's Way, and the Itchen Way, with sections alongside the River Itchen and a passage by Avington Hall. Participants must carry a minimum of 500ml of fluid, and while the course is marked, organizers recommend having the GPX route available on a watch or phone. Finishers may select a custom medal or opt for a tree to be planted in their name via Trees Not Tees.