Getting There
Northbound route only
Leave the M3 at Junction 10 and at the roundabout take the 1st exit signed St Catherine's P & R, Garnier Way.
Drive over the small railway bridge and the car park is immediately on the left before a river bridge.
Return to M3 Junction 10
Leave the car park and turn right. At the roundabout take the 2nd exit, signed Other Routes.
At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit signed M3 London, Basingstoke to return to the motorway which is signed M3 Junction 10 North.
This is MY favourite walk
Ayla
St Catherine's Hill – River Walk
Length of walk: 30-60 minutes or longer
From the car park notice the footpath marker of a green band on a small concrete pillar, and begin to walk with the river on the right hand side.
There are two parallel paths here, and dogs who enjoy a swim will have more fun if you negotiate the bank to join the river path near the water. This path rejoins the main track further on, just before the weir gates. This water is the Itchen Navigation.
The higher path is more accessible with a fairly hard surface.
Keep walking with the river to the right until the path opens out. Here there is an information board and entrance point to St Catherine's Hill, with a long set of steps leading to the top and a splendid view of Winchester. When you get to the top, the walk can be extended to the other side of the hill.
Apparently, this hill has been purposefully used for around 3000 years and there is evidence of Iron Age defences, and a Norman chapel.
If steps are not your thing, then the path does continue along the side of the river if you want to prolong the walk.
Return to the car park with the river to the left.
Facilities
Free car park.
Useful Links
St Catherine's Hill
Visit website