FREE HIKE 20km | Hills and Heathlands: The Box Hill Challenge
Details
📈 Grade: 🥾🥾🥾🥾 Level 4/5 – Challenging terrain with steep climbs and descents
Set in the heart of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this challenging circular hike explores some of southern England’s most inspiring landscapes. The route links two of the region’s finest viewpoints, Box Hill and Headley Heath, offering steep climbs, wooded valleys, and sweeping vistas across the North Downs.
The walk begins with an immediate ascent up Box Hill, made famous by John Keats, who is said to have drawn poetic inspiration from its tranquil beauty. The climb is demanding, but the reward is a breathtaking panorama over the River Mole and the rolling countryside beyond. At the summit, pause to imagine Jane Austen’s Emma strolling these very slopes. Box Hill plays a memorable role in her novel as the setting for a pivotal picnic scene.
From here, the route dips into shaded woodland trails and open chalk grasslands. The undulating terrain keeps the legs working and the heart rate high, with several steep ascents and descents as you make your way toward Headley Heath.
The return to Box Hill follows winding forest paths and ridge-top tracks, offering yet more spectacular views and a real sense of accomplishment by the end.
Whether you’re here for the physical challenge or to walk in the footsteps of literary greats, this route captures the essence of the Surrey Hills AONB, steep, scenic, and steeped in history.
We’ll finish with an optional pub stop to relax, rest our legs, and celebrate conquering this challenging hike before heading home.
🌟HIGHLIGHTS:
- Box Hill summit views
- River Mole valley
- Headley Heath heaths and woodlands
- Stepping Stones crossing of the River Mole
✅ WHO CAN JOIN:
- 🧑🤝🧑 Adults aged 21 and over
- 👶 No children
- 🐾 No pets (allergies and phobias)
📅 RSVP POLICY:
Please RSVP only if you can attend, and update your response if your plans change. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations may limit future sign-ups. On the day, we will check in attendees individually. Anyone who does not arrive will be marked as a no-show.
🚗🅿️💰By Car:
Limited parking available at the Box Hill & Westhumble railway station car park.
📍MEETING POINT OPTION 1 [TRAINS FROM LONDON]:
Tickets: Buy a return from London to Box Hill & Westhumble. £10.30 with Network Railcard discount or £15.20 without. AdrianB will be at the meeting point as the focal person for the group. Please coordinate with the group at the meeting point if you require Network Railcard discounted tickets.
- 08:20 Meet at London Victoria ticket office
- 08:30 Leave meeting point to board the train
- 08:41 Train departs London Victoria (via Clapham Junction 08:48)
- 09:37 Arrive at Box Hill & Westhumble station
📍 MEETING POINT OPTION 2:
🚶 WALK STARTS:
🏁 WALK FINISHES:
- Approx. 16:00 – Box Hill and Westhumble railway station
🍔 LUNCH:
- Packed lunch and snacks.
🌳 TOILETS:
- Discreet nature stops
- Boxhill Visitor Centre
👣 Staying Together
Please keep others in sight and avoid straying too far ahead or behind. If you’re at the front, pause at junctions; if you’re at the back, stay close enough to see someone ahead. It’s everyone’s responsibility to help keep the group together. We’ll stop periodically, usually at junctions, to regroup, rest, and reconnect. Try to keep the group leader within your line of sight whenever possible.
⚠️ TERRAIN, CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTY:
- Distance: ~20 km (circular route)
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Terrain: Steep ascents and descents, uneven paths, woodland trails, hills, and numerous steps
- Total Ascent: 607 m
- Estimated Duration: ~6 hours (including breaks)
🎒WHAT TO BRING:
- Packed lunch and snacks
- At least 2 L of water
- Sturdy hiking boots
- Layers and waterproof clothing
- Sun protection / winter gear (as appropriate)
- Any personal medication and a basic first aid kit
- Fully charged phone and power bank
- Head torch
- Bring strong legs, a sense of adventure, and a happy face!
🚂 RETURN TRAINS TO LONDON:
- Regular trains run from Box Hill & Westhumble to London Waterloo, London Victoria, and Dorking (Main).
📞 CONTACT:
- Message the event host Vickie directly via Meetup with any questions.
⚠️ DISCLAIMER:
By joining, you confirm that you’ve read and accepted the group policy on the About page. You are responsible for your own safety, and neither the host nor the group can be held liable for injury, loss, or damage.