Cheesefoot Head & St Catherine's Hill

IMPORTANT! - Participation Statement

You MUST complete the Participation Statement,  here, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. (If you have recently completed this, you do not need to complete it again.)

An Autumnal hike across the South Downs, it will be a long day at a brisk pace, this event is targeted at those seeking a more challenging day. 

You should have had regular experience of hiking > 15 miles before signing up

Our walk will start in Winchester where we will follow the river Itchen using Kings Way, Three Castles path and Itchen Way as far Itchen Stoke. Leaving the Itchen behind us we will then head onto the Southdowns to Cheesefoot Head before turning West back towards Winchester where we will pick up views of the surrounding area via St Catherines Hill.

The River Itchen flows from mid-Hampshire to join with Southampton Water below the Itchen Bridge in the city of Southampton. The river is noted as one of the world's premier chalk streams for fly fishing, the local chalk in the earth provides excellent filtration and thus watercress thrives all along the Itchen valley in its pristine, crystal clear waters.

It is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is noted for its high quality habitats, supporting a range of protected species including the endangered water vole, otter, brook lamprey and white-clawed crayfish.

COVID-19 - IMPORTANT: Please read the following before you sign up to this event:

• Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, even if they are extremely mild, or who lives or is in a support bubble with someone showing symptoms, is asked not to attend. This is in line with the government’s coronavirus advice.
• You must also immediately self-isolate and not attend the event if you or someone in your household or support bubble shows coronavirus symptoms or tests positive. You can find the NHS self-isolation guidance here.
• The main symptoms of COVID-19 are a high temperature, a new continuous cough, and a loss or change to your sense of taste and/or smell.
• You may be subject to local lockdown restrictions, which you must fully comply with. Details of the location of these restrictions can be found here for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.   
• We do not encourage car sharing to events during the pandemic. Please comply with the safety travel guidance for England, Wales, and Scotland. Face coverings should be worn on public transport.
• OutdoorLads will support the tracing systems in place across the UK  and attendance at an OutdoorLads event is considered permission to use contact details for this purpose if requested by the appropriate authority.  
• All are required to practice social distancing – staying 2m (not 1m) apart at all times, including the lunch stop. Remember: Face, Hands, Space.
• Unfortunately, there won’t be any planned pub / café stops en route or at the end, and please don’t share sweets or snacks with others – we’re sorry!
• Please bring your own hand sanitising gel for your own use throughout the day. Use of face coverings is at your own choice, but please bring one with you just in case it's needed. Please bring any other PPE items required. Bring a disposable bag for any used PPE.
• Members are advised to bring their own small first aid kit for personal use..
• Be aware that opportunities for toilet stops may be minimal if facilities are closed.
• Please, please cancel at your earliest opportunity if you are unable to attend or are unwell, so that we can allow others to take up these valuable event spaces.
• Much as it's difficult - no handshakes or hugs!

COVID-19: Participation Statement

OutdoorLads draws your attention to the fact that travelling and being away from home increases the risk of receiving and transmitting Coronavirus, whilst it is present in the UK. You are likely to choose not to participate in OutdoorLads events whilst there is a risk of Coronavirus transmission. However, should you choose to participate in OutdoorLads events whilst the risk is present, you must be aware of and follow the law and government guidelines, both when travelling to and from events as well as when participating in events.

Please note that every person participating should be aware of (and accept) that those members perceived as ‘in charge’ or leading the event are not experts,  do not need to be experts, and are not regarded by OutdoorLads, or themselves as experts, but are amateurs with some experience in the event type and who are happy to impart their knowledge.  Any advice given should be considered with this in mind by the recipient.

By signing up to and attending an OutdoorLads event, you are confirming that you have read, understood and accept the content of this statement.

Please see our website for more information including an FAQ about our events.

Credit to Dave for photos 2-5.