Noar Hill
This circular walk climbs to the Noar Hill Nature Reserve from the village of Selborne, in the Hampshire Downs. It's a very pretty area, notable for its extensive flora, including many widlfowers and 11 species of orchid. In the summer months you can see several species of buttefly fluttering around the flowers. These include marbled white (Melanargia galathea), brown argus (Aricia agestis), Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina), brown hairstreak (Thecla betulae), and holly blue. Birds include common buzzards, hen harrier and green woodpecker.
The walk starts from Selborne where you can pick up the Hangers Way long distance trail. Follow the path south past Homestead Farm before heading east to climb past High Wood Hangar to Noar Hill. It forms one of the westerly outposts of the chalk hills called the South Downs, and rises to a maximum height of about 210 metres above sea-level.
The path then runs along Noar Hill Hangar before descending to Charity Farm. You then follow country lanes back to Homestead Farm before heading back to Selborne where you can enjoy refreshments at the Selborne Arms pub which has a good selection of real ales and a decent menu too.
To extend your walking in the area head to Selborne Common and climb and Selborne Hill, one of the highest points in the county of Hampshire. The area is owned by the National Trust and has a number of nice woodland trails to try.
You could also continue south along the Hangars Way to visit Hawkley, Shoulder of Mutton Hill and the town of Petersfield.
Postcode
GU34 3LW - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsNoar Hill Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Noar Hill Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Noar Hill OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Noar Hill Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
To the east is the village of Liphook where you can enjoy a walk to the lakes on the pretty Foley Manor Estate before a climb to Weavers Down on the edge of the expansive Woolmer Forest.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Noar Hill. A bright winter day. This Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust reserve is on the site of mediaeval chalk pits. It is now one of the best downland sites in the country.
The track is one of the access routes up to the reserve.
Noar Hill Wildlife Reserve with spring flowers
Looking south from Noar Hill. The ploughed field forms the plateau-like summit of Noar Hill. Almost surrounding the field is a glorious wildlife reserve.
Paths meet, Noar Hill Hanger. Woodland area viewed in spring.
Noar Hill Hanger. Dwellings and cattle on the fields.
Charity Farm
Orchids, Noar Hill. Reserve highlights are the cowslip population, which make it one of the key sites for the Duke of Burgundy butterfly, of which it is the foodplant; its orchids, one of which, the diminutive Musk Orchid, has this as one of its key sites; and the parasitic Knapweed Broomrape, which grows among the Greater Knapweed here. This photo shows a group of various orchids. In particular, the greenish yellow spikes are of Musk Orchid (Herminium monorchis).