Odiham · Hampshire

Walks around Odiham

Odiham is brilliant walking country. The Basingstoke Canal winds right past the village, and within a few miles you've got a ruined royal castle, a collapsed canal tunnel full of bats, ancient oaks on Odiham Common and the wet meadows of Greywell Moors. These are the routes we'd point friends to, from a gentle hour around the old village to a proper half-day out. Each one has a map, directions in our own words and a GPX file to download.

Our favourite Odiham walks

Most start in the village or at Colt Hill, so you can set off on foot from the High Street and leave the car where it is. All of them are dog friendly, with a pub or café along the way.

The flint ruins of Odiham Castle's eight-sided keep against a blue sky

1Odiham, North Warnborough and King John's Castle

Village to castle and back by the canal.

4.2 miles (6.7 km) · 2 to 2½ hours · Easy
Start: The Bury, by All Saints' Church, Odiham · Directions

The Basingstoke Canal near Odiham, with a narrowboat moored by the towpath under a blue sky

2Canal towpath to King John's Castle

The easy, flat canal walk.

3.4 miles (5.4 km) return · About 1½ hours · Easy
Start: Colt Hill car park, by Colt Hill Wharf, London Road, Odiham · Directions

A wooden footbridge over the clear River Whitewater in Greywell Moors nature reserve, surrounded by trees

3Greywell Moors, Greywell and the castle

Fen, village pub and canal.

4.0 miles (6.5 km) · 2 to 2½ hours · Moderate
Start: The Bury, by All Saints' Church, Odiham · Directions

The brick arch of Greywell Tunnel's eastern portal, half hidden by ivy above the still canal

4The Mill House, Butter Wood and Greywell Tunnel

Common, woods and the tunnel.

3.2 miles (5.2 km) · 1½ to 2 hours · Moderate
Start: The Mill House, Hook Road, North Warnborough · Directions

A path leading into the trees on Odiham Common, with an information board beside it

5Odiham Common and the canal

A short woodland loop for dogs.

1.6 miles (2.6 km) · 45 minutes to 1 hour · Easy
Start: Colt Hill car park, by Colt Hill Wharf, London Road, Odiham · Directions

Broad Oak Bridge, a brick arch over the Basingstoke Canal, reflected in the water among trees

6Dogmersfield Park and Broad Oak

The longer canal and parkland loop.

4.9 miles (7.9 km) · 2½ to 3 hours · Moderate
Start: Colt Hill car park, by Colt Hill Wharf, London Road, Odiham · Directions

Odiham's Pest House, a small 17th-century brick cottage with a tiled roof in the corner of the churchyard

7Odiham village heritage trail

Stocks, plague house and coaching inns.

0.8 miles (1.2 km) · About an hour with stops · Easy
Start: The Bury, by All Saints' Church, Odiham · Directions

The Waterwitch, a white-painted pub with a red-tiled roof and hanging baskets, at Colt Hill in Odiham

8Odiham Trail and Ale

A full day out, with seven pubs on the way.

6.3 miles (10.1 km) · A relaxed full day (about 3 hours of walking, plus pub stops) · Moderate
Start: The Waterwitch, Colt Hill car park, London Road, Odiham · Directions

All the walks on one map

Odiham sits in the middle, with the canal running across the top. The numbers match the walks above.

Overview map of eight walking routes around Odiham, North Warnborough, Greywell and Dogmersfield — Map © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Routes drawn by Laurel Cottage.

Which walk should I choose?

Short on time or legs? The village heritage trail takes under an hour, and the Odiham Common loop is just over a mile and a half.
After something flat and easy? Follow the canal towpath to King John's Castle and back. No stiles, no hills.
Want the best of everything? The Odiham, North Warnborough and castle loop takes in the village, the castle, the ford and a long stretch of canal.
Making a day of it? Odiham Trail and Ale links the canal, Greywell and North Warnborough with seven local pubs. Easy to dip in and out of.
Up for a longer day? Try Greywell Moors, with the Fox & Goose about halfway round, or Dogmersfield Park, which finishes by the Waterwitch.

Want to find out more? The Odiham Society publishes local walks and trails, the Basingstoke Canal Authority has towpath news and closures, and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and Hart District Council look after Greywell Moors and Odiham Common. For pubs, cafés and things to do, see our Odiham guide.

Before you set off

We've drawn these routes from OpenStreetMap and checked them against Hampshire County Council's public rights of way map, but the countryside changes. Paths get diverted, bridges close for repairs and fields fill up with crops or cattle. Please treat our directions as a friendly guide, not a guarantee, and follow the signs and waymarks you find on the ground.

Take a map or app. OS Explorer 144 covers the area, or load our GPX file into your favourite walking app.
Expect mud. The Common, the moors and the field paths get very wet between autumn and spring. Wellies or proper boots make a big difference.
Cattle and livestock. Close gates behind you, keep dogs on a short lead near animals, and let go of the lead if cattle chase you, so you can both get to safety.
Roads. Some routes cross or follow busy roads, including the A287. Take care, keep dogs on leads and walk facing oncoming traffic where there's no pavement.
By the water. The canal is deep in places, and the towpath edge can be crumbly. Watch little ones and keep an eye on dogs that love a swim.
Leave it as you found it. Bag and bin your dog's poo, take your litter home, and follow the Countryside Code.

You walk these routes at your own risk. If you spot something that has changed, we'd love to hear about it at [email protected].

Stay with us at Laurel Cottage

Fancy a walking weekend? Our dog-friendly cottage is a short stroll from Odiham High Street, so several of these walks start almost from the door. Muddy boots and muddy paws are both welcome. Book direct for our best price.

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