Would everyone who recce's this route be kind enough to send a report of the accuracy of the description and map back to the organisers or 01225 708 432
5.4 miles
Route - (Select Satellite view) and a virtual run using photos.
Hackpen Hill White Horse: SU 028 749
The Car Park is at the top of the hill actually on the track. This should provide parking for about twenty cars and off-road parking is probably achievable for another ten.
Start on the Ridgeway on the opposite side of the Hackpen Hill road from the car park.
Here the track is good and predominantly downhill. However running down the Ridgeway is so enjoyable that the marker (after 1.2 miles) for the White Horse Trail is easily missed. There may not be a marshal here, so study the route well beforehand. The White Horse Trail bears left and the Ridgeway bears right. Follow the White Horse Trail which is poorly marked and the waymark's fairly small and few.
Run along the track as it bears right and soon crosses a road. Continue along the grassy track opposite and not along the road. Follow the grassy trail. You will soon enter a wood. The trail through the wood is difficult to follow. You should pass between some rocks (see the virtual run) before the trees begin to open up.
Now you will see a gate in front of you with a description of the area and on the left of the gate you might see a WHT arrow. Continue. As you come out of the wood there is another gate which leads into a meadow where, in February, there were a lot of sheep grazing (see photos).
Continue along this track until you come to another gate and some hardcore roads.
The White Horse Trail links up with route 4 of the Wiltshire cycleway.
Turn left after the gate and run for about fifty yards before turning right and then down a road parallel to a race track. Follow this road for about one and a half miles until you reach a Parking lot.
Cross this parking area diagonally (through the trees). Take the tarmac road to the right. At the next junction BEAR RIGHT. Do not continue straight ahead into the road marked PRIVATE.
Stay on this road as you continue downhill and approach the village of Manton.
On your left you will see a small letter box, a sign and a road called Manton Hollow. Turn left up Manton Hollow and follow the road to the finish of this stage.
If you now continue down this road, and then left into a track, you will reach the Bath Road (A4).
Parking at the end of the leg is in the car park of Marlborough College - the other side of the A4 (about 1 km east) (not for recce runs). Alternatively it is a 2 km walk to Figgins Lane.
The Marlborough White Horse (SU 14 749) is situated behind Marlborough College.
Description of this stage with photos | List of all the stages of this Relay Race