Walking the Sarsen Way : Stonehenge, Avebury, Salisbury and the Cranborne Droves Way

The 79km Sarsen Way runs from Coate Water Park near Swindon to Salisbury, while the 28km Cranborne Droves Way continues south to join the Wessex Ridgeway at Win Green. Together, these historic routes follow ancient trackways across downland, farmland, and prehistoric landscapes shaped by sarsen stones and centuries of human movement.

Suitable for walkers of all abilities, both routes can be comfortably completed within a week. The walks pass through villages and historic sites, including Chiseldon, Avebury, Durrington, Amesbury, Old Sarum, and Salisbury, with frequent opportunities to explore Neolithic monuments, Iron Age earthworks, and cathedral cities. The Sarsen Way is presented in 6 stages of between 10.5km and 19.3km, plus three additional variant loops, while the Cranborne Droves Way is presented in 2 stages (17.3km and 10.7km).

This practical guidebook includes 8 stage-by-stage route descriptions with clear step-by-step directions, 1:50,000 Ordnance Survey mapping for accurate navigation, and reverse route descriptions for both paths. Each stage features distance, walking time, ascent, terrain notes, and information on key places along the way. Downloadable GPX files make it easy to follow your chosen route using GPS devices or smartphone apps, while comprehensive planning information highlights archaeological sites, historic landmarks, and points of interest throughout the Great Chalk Way.