Walkers Hill, Milk Hill and canal loop – 16 km circular with paragliders and White Horse views

I meant to write this blog post weeks ago but somehow time flew. Better late than never.

This was our “Rambling On Together” walk on 27th April, in Wiltshire.

This was a walk I did with Gary and Johnny on a warm, sunny day that offered everything I could hope for – stunning views, plenty of wildlife, and great company.

It was also the day after I first noticed some pain in my right knee. I wasn’t sure how I’d manage the walk, but with the help of hiking poles, it didn’t hurt at all on the day – a relief and a small win.

We set off from the Pewsey Downs car park and climbed onto the ridge before descending towards the canal. The walk along the towpath was peaceful and scenic. We made a welcome coffee stop at Honeystreet Café, which was just the thing for a short break in the sunshine.

We were treated to lots of wildlife throughout the walk. A couple of fields were full of large rabbits, and just a short while later, two deer crossed the path right in front of us. There were birds everywhere, and we passed plenty of cows and sheep, including some newborn lambs.

The climb back up through Alton Barnes and Alton Priors was steady and rewarding. We passed Walkers Hill (260 m) and the striking chalk figure of the Alton Barnes White Horse, before continuing up to Milk Hill (295 m) – the highest point in Wiltshire.

The views across the Pewsey Downs were absolutely breathtaking. We were lucky enough to see dozens of paragliders launching from the hills, catching the thermals and drifting above us. To top it all off, we saw biplanes flying in formation overhead just as we were making our way back to the car park.

As always with Gary and Johnny, there was plenty of laughter and easy conversation. It really was a special day – one of those walks that stays with you.