The walk will start from Crowthorne station at 11:05, shortly after the arrival of the 10:48 from Reading (10:57 from Wokingham). The walk leader will be on this train so if it is delayed, the start of the walk will be too. From the opposite direction, the 10:23 from Guildford arrives at 10:52.
From Crowthorne, we’ll walk northwest through the delightful Simon’s Wood, following part of the “Devil’s Highway” past Heath Pond, before looping across the fields to picturesque St James’ Church, perched on top of the hill above Finchampstead. From there we will descend south through the village into the Blackwater Valley, where we will follow the Blackwater Valley Path east along the river with views over the waters of Moor Green Lakes Nature Reserve, into Sandhurst.
The paths are mostly good and flat along the valley, although there will be a little bit of up and down elsewhere, and some parts may get muddy in the event of rain. Please bring a packed lunch and water to drink, and there will be an optional pub stop at the Rose and Crown in Sandhurst at the end of the walk, a few minutes from the station. Trains leave in both directions every hour.
This is a linear walk. If coming by train from Reading/Wokingham, buy a return to Sandhurst. If coming from the Guildford direction, buy a return to Crowthorne. If driving, either park in Crowthorne (station has a car park, charges may apply) and take a short train ride back at the end of the walk, or park in Sandhurst (no parking available at the station itself though) and take the 10:49 train to Crowthorne for the start of the walk).
Sat Nav: RG45 6NZ or 51.3668 -0.8192
Grid Ref: SU822637