White Horse Trail
The White Horse Trail is a long-distance walking route, of 90 miles, in northern Wiltshire. It was originally created in 2000 by the Wiltshire Ramblers with assistance from the local council.
The route runs through Pewsey, Marlborough, Broad Town, Cherhill, Devizes, Steeple Ashton and Bratton providing views of the eight white horses which are cut into the turf of the chalk hillsides of Wiltshire:
- Westbury White Horse (carved in 1778)
- Cherhill White Horse (carved in 1780)
- Marlborough White Horse (carved in 1804)
- Alton Barnes White Horse (carved in 1812), on Wiltshire’s highest hill, Milk Hill
- Hackpen White Horse (carved in 1838)
- Broad Town White Horse (carved in 1864)
- Pewsey White Horse (carved in 1937)
- Devizes White Horse (carved in 1999)
Also, the path visits many other historic and prehistoric locations. It passes close to the start of a prehistoric route, the Ridgeway, and uses local footpaths, track and the towpath of the Kennet and Avon Canal.
Alternative routes by way of Avebury and the Wansdyke have been published too, and a short cut between Ashton Barnes and Pewsey so as to divide the route into two lengthy circular walks.
Outside links
- The White Horse Trail on LDWA
- The White Horse Trail on Let's Go Walking