Alver Valley Country Park is nestled between Lee-on-the-Solent and Gosport, covering over 200 hectares of green space. With a mix of woodland paths and open fields, it’s a great place to explore with your dog.
A few safety points: Following heavy rain, the area around Apple Dumpling Bridge can flood. Ticks and adders are resident all year in long grass, so keep this in mind as you’re walking round.
Head towards Alver Valley Garden Centre and at the mini roundabout take the third exit to the smaller car park on your right as you enter the road. What3Words location: ///pulled.unrealistic.spicy
Head down the path with the Alver Valley information board to your left. You will go past the Gosport Borough Council countryside office to your right.
Stay on the path on the right hand side of the road and you will come up to the main entrance for Alver Valley Country Park. You will then veer off to the right going past Carters Copse on your left.
Head over Apple Dumpling bridge.
Safety note: the bridge can sometimes flood following heavy rain.
Take a right turn as soon as you reach the bottom corner of Sandhill. There is a dog bin opposite the path entrance.
Follow the path past the large oak tree until you reach a small section of boardwalk. The main path is cut and exposed.
Continue straight over this small boardwalk to stay on this path.
At the fork in the path, follow the path to the right to reach a longer section of boardwalk.
Continue onto the boardwalk and follow this path around the bend until you reach a clearing.
At the end of the boardwalk continue straight to enter the clearing.
If your dog has recall this is a great spot to pause and enjoy some off lead play. Remember to stay wildlife aware and be mindful of other dogs who may need extra space.
If your dog doesn’t have a reliable recall, using a long lead can give them more freedom while keeping them safe.
When you are ready head towards the end of the clearing.
At the end of the clearing turn onto the path on the left hand side of the field and continue straight.
Optional step – shortly along the path in step 12 you will find a small wooded area on your left, perfect for a game of find it. Hide some treats within this area and let your dog sniff them out for some stimulating fun.
After continuing straight for a short while turn left at this point to return to the entrance of the first loop.
Following the path in the previous step you will find this wooded clearing. Head towards the back of this clearing to find the next path.
Take the path on the back right of the field to continue on the first loop.
After exiting the wooded clearing take the path on the left and continue straight along this path.
At the fork take the path on the right and head towards the exit of the first loop.
Continue on this path past the large oak from step 6 which should now be on your left. You will exit the first loop where you entered. You can choose whether to head back towards the car park or continue onto the second loop below.
Head up towards Sandhill where you will find a large open space. This in an ideal space for your dogs to run around in during the winter, but birds nest in the long grass during the spring and summer months, so it’s best to stick to the path during this time.
Enjoy the open space, and continue on the path heading around Sandhill towards the path you came in on.
Once you have finished the second loop continue to walk on the main path towards Apple Dumpling Bridge. There is a nice open space just after Apple Dumpling Bridge near the east car park.
Head back towards the Alver Valley Garden Centre Carpark. Carters Copse will be to your right. You will come up to a road and you will need to turn left and follow the pathway back to the carpark.
