Up Marden, East Marden Circle
Miles = 3.29, Height climbed= 138 meters, Time = 90 mins
You could be forgiven for thinking this to be an easy walk. After all it’s only three and a quarter miles long. Believe me it is very strenuous and strangely enough the main strain comes not from struggling up hill but in this case it’s from going down the hills. I have done this walk many times but always felt very tired and always glad of a cup of tea at the end.
Start at Up Marden Church Walk back along the track to the “T” junction and turn left. Follow the road for about ¼ of a mile and just as it turns left at the bottom of a downhill stretch you will see a path on your right, walk down this path.
Follow this path until you meet a crossing path at a yellow finger post. This path is leading down a sharp steep stretch of hill. Turn left and go down the hill into the field.
Walk across the field with a row of trees to you right hand side. Climb the short hill into the field at the top of the hill and turn right. Then follow the path around the field until you reach a stile in the fence. Go over this stile and walk diagonally across the field until you reach a stile.
This is a very dangerous stile and requires some care in climbing. Having crossed the stile turn right and walk down to the church. ( please visit the church because it is well loved and very charming.)
When you leave the church turn left and walk a few yards around the bend until you meet a narrow road on the right, turn right up this road and walk along it to a farm track then turn left.
This is where a little bit of observation is needed. The finger post for the next path is now a two finger post giving the impression that there is no right turn through the farm yard, there is a path. (if you inspect the post you will see that the third finger has dropped out and not been replaced)
You will come to a kissing gate go through this gate and on down the field. Keep walking because you won’t see the stile on your right until the last minute. Cross this stile and turn left to another kissing gate. Go through the kissing gate and continue down the hill.
At the bottom of the hill there is a field with a path going diagonally across it. Go on that path it will lead you to a gap in the hedge which isn’t entirely clear until your actually on it. Squeeze through this gap and up to the road. Cross this road diagonally left and on up the hill.
This path leads through a forest and up to a field with a row of very splendid beach trees to your left. Keep walking until you meet a farm track at the other end of the field. Turn right here and walk along the farm track with the hedge to your right.
Keep walking along this track until you meet a made up road. Turn right and walk up the hill. Keep an eye open as you approach “Hill Farm”. On the right hand side, more or less opposite the gate to the house is a path leading through a hedge and diagonally across a field. (you will see Up Marden well on your right with it’s protective hut around it). This path leads to the church, please go in the church. I appreciate that I am marginally biased but this is the best church in the world. You’ve reached your starting point.
This walk is sponsored by
PO18 9JR
01243535266