Water Vole Way walk leaflet - Walk4Life

Walk HighlightsWater voles live in burrows in the banks of the river.They feed on the plants along the river edge and areoften seen swimming across the river. Listen out forthe ‘plop’ as they jump into the water to warn otherwater voles of potential danger. There are fewer watervoles on our rivers than there used to be, partly due tounsympathetic bank management. The Wildlife Trusthas improved the Navigation to help water voles byputting in more plants along the river edge.Atlantic salmon live the majority of their lives in thesea and migrate to their native river to spawn in thewinter. There are several gravel beds which areimportant salmon spawning areas between Bishopstokeand Allbrook. Look out for clean mounds of gravel on theriver bed in January and February where the salmon havelaid their eggs in nests called ‘redds’. You may also seefish passes by old locks which help salmon and otherfish migrate upstream.Water Vole WayBishopstokeWater vole © Environment AgencyAtlantic salmon © Andre NekrasovSouthern damselflies are a very rare insect. They areonly found in a handful of places across Europe and theItchen Valley is one of three national strongholds. Theyare found around well vegetated margins of rivers andditches. The Wildlife Trust is creating new ditches toprovide the opportunity for southern damselfly tothrive again.The Itchen Navigation Heritage Trail Project is a HeritageLottery Fund project managed by the Wildlife Trust, preservingan internationally important chalk river system for futuregenerations. Find out more about the Itchen Navigation at:www.itchennavigation.org.uk© Dennis BrightDistance:3.5 miles / 5.5kmWalking time:2 hoursTerrain: flat/gentle slopeSouthern damselfly © Jim RouquetteHampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife TrustBeechcroft, Vicarage LaneCurdridge, HampshireSO32 2DPwww.hwt.org.uk

Water Vole WayFootpathsMinor roadsMotorwayWater Vole WayLook out for water voles swimming acrossthe Itchen Navigation and damselflieshovering over the river margin as youwalk the old towpath.AllbrookAllbrook HillAllbrookFarmAllbrookLock2Highbridge Road3HighbridgeFarmRiverItchen4Wardle Rd5 HighbridgePath6PRailwayLandmarksPublic House or CaféCar Park12From Bishopstoke Road, take the ItchenNavigation path heading upstream for 1.5 miles.At Highbridge Road turn right along the road.BreachFarmStoke Common78Church RdStoke CommonFarmItchen Navigation3After crossing a bridge over the river, the pavementchanges sides of the road. Turn off the road onto thefootpath here.WithymeadLock94Continue through the gate.56Where the path forks, take the right hand path south.Continue straight on through the gate and over afootbridge.Twyford RdRiverItchenChurch RdPath78910Go through the gate and over another footbridge.Go up the steps into the wood. Follow the fenceline, keeping it on your left.Go through the gate and turn right onto Church Road.Turn right onto Oakbank Road and follow the pathto Stoke Lock.EastleighRailway StationBishopstokeRecreationGroundP1OakbankRd10Stoke LockPathEASTLEIGHBishopstokeBishopstoke Rd500m