IT is a new cycle route that reminds users of the oak grown at Alice Holt Forest and used at dockyards such as Portsmouth for medieval shipbuilding.

The first stages of the 50-mile Shipwrights Way in East Hampshire opened in March and is already attracting hundreds of cyclists as well as walkers and riders.

The long distance path runs through the heart of East Hampshire, across the South Downs National Park to Hayling Island and finishes at Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard.

When completed, it will also form part of the Sustrans National Cycle Network route 22, London to Portsmouth.

The Shipwrights Way includes seven rail stations – great news for those walking or cycling the trail in sections as well as those wanting to use sustainable transport to reach the trail.

And for those who choose to do more substantial hikes there are some wonderful opportunities to break the journey with an overnight stop.

For added interest, the trail will also have 20 sculptures along its length from sculptor Richard Perry. These will be carved from creamy Portland stone and stand approximately waist high.

Richard has been talking to communities along the Shipwrights Way in order to inspire sculptures which 'tell the story of the landscape'.

The sculptures are expected to be in situ later in this year.

As much as possible, the route is off-road, using rights of way and permissive paths. Starting from Bentley Rail Station it takes in Alice Holt Forest and passes through Bordon, Liphook, Liss, Petersfield, Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Staunton Country Park, Havant, Hayling Island and via ferry into Portsmouth, finishing at the Historic Dockyard - around 50 miles in total.

Nearly all of the route is now open - approximately 47 - including an unbroken 40 mile stretch from Liphook through to Portsmouth.

East Hampshire District Council, Hampshire County Counci, the South Downs National Park and the Forestry Commission, who have worked together to create the route, are working with the Ministry of Defence to fill the last gap in the route, around Bordon, and hope to open this in 2014.

  •  The Shipwrights Way project is a partnership between East Hampshire District Council, Hampshire County Council, South Downs National Park Authority and the Forestry Commission. For more information go to shipwrights.org.uk