The route

The Sarsen Trail follows a 26-mile route across undulating Wiltshire countryside with stunning views across the Vale of Pewsey and the Avon Valley. The unique route links two of the UK's World Heritage sites - the ancient stone circle of Avebury and the world famous Stonehenge.

The route follows a mix of undulating grassland tracks and roads with variable surfaces. The tracks across Salisbury Plain military training area can be rough and rutted due to vehicular activities.

Walkers

Walkers may choose to undertake the full 26 miles from Avebury to Stonehenge or 7 miles from Avebury to All Cannings, 11 miles from Avebury to Redhorn, 15 miles from Redhorn to Stonehenge.

The northern half of the route from Avebury to Redhorn Hill is an area rich in wildlife and you can expect to see Skylark (Alauda arvensis), Brown Hare (Lepus europaeus), Sedge Warblers (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) and Kingfishers (Alcedo atthis). The route crosses fields and country lanes as well as a couple of busier roads and the railway line.

The southern half of the route from Redhorn Hill to Stonehenge takes you across Salisbury Plain. Here you can hope to spot Dingy Skippers (Erynnis tages) and Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina) butterflies. For plant enthusiasts the chalk downlands offer orchids, cowslips, milkworts, scabious, knapweed, and many grasses. The route to The Bustard takes you along the MoD track, after which there is a mixture of grass and farm track.

Dogs are very welcome but must be kept under control at all times, particularly if there is livestock close by. After Casterley Camp you will pass through the MoD Danger Area. Please keep to the route, remember the Country Code and keep dogs strictly on the lead.

Marathon and Half Marathon

The Neolithic Marathon follows the same route as the Sarsen Trail from Avebury to Stonehenge. It is a multi-terrain, undulating cross-country course of moderate severity encompassing some of the finest downland in Wiltshire. It may be muddy in wet weather and dusty and rutted when dry. The Neolithic Half Marathon follows the same route as the Sarsen Trail, from Charlton Clumps to Stonehenge. Following the Ridgeway from the start point to Wexland, the route turns westward to cross part of the Salisbury Plain Training Area to The Bustard Inn and on to Stonehenge. The route is a multi-terrain, undulating cross-country course of moderate severity and may be very muddy in wet weather and dusty and rutted when dry.

Mountain Bike

The route is 15 miles long, running from the top of Redhorn Hill, along Salisbury Plain, down to Fargo and then to the finish point at Stonehenge. The car park is at Stonehenge and a bus service will then take you and your bike to the start point at Redhorn Hill. Numbers will be limited to 200. Please be aware that if you are on the route after 11am you may meet runners and dogs who are also taking part in the Sarsen Trail. Please ride with caution.

Cani-Cross

There are two Cani-Cross distances - the 13-mile distance starts at Charlton Clumps, and the 4-mile distance starts at The Bustard. Start times are separate to the marathon runners, and race timing is done through timings chips. For full details go to the Cani-Cross website