Off the Hook from walking? Not today! 11.8 miles, moderate

Today’s walk will take us around Hook, Greywell and Mapledurwell via the Basingstoke Canal Towpath and Three Castles Path. Starting at Hook station, we’ll head towards Butter Wood to leave Hook and walk over the M3 motorway, Lodge Farm and the Basingstoke Canal towpath, the latter of which we turn right onto. This should take us to Odiham Castle, of which we’ll complete the loop of it before continuing along the canal and towards the village of Greywell, where we turn away from the Three Castles Path towards St Mary, Greywell church and Bidden Water.

At the latter of these places, we’ll turn right to head back towards the Three Castles Path, the village of Mapledurwell and back towards the Basingstoke Canal towpath. We’ll follow this through Butter Wood back towards Greywell, where we then turn left along the edge of the footpath back towards the M3 and Hook station to finish the walk. For those who want a pub stop at this point, we’ll be stopping at The Raven, which is a short walk from the station.

Ascent: 94m / 308ft
Type: circular

TRAINS:
The recommended train to get from Reading is the 09:10 GWR service that arrives in Basingstoke at 09:37. This then allows enough time to get the 09:54 SWR service that arrives in Hook at 10:01.

PARKING:
Hook station has a good size car park, where parking fees apply.

DOGS:
Dogs are welcome on this walk as long as they're well behaved.