The Greensand Way - Part 1 | Free Hike 23km (14mi)

📈 GRADE 🥾🥾 🥾🥾 Level 4/5

📖 SUMMARY
Join us for Greensand Way Part 1 - A classic Surrey Hills day with big views, sandy woodland trails, and one of the UK’s most dramatic natural landmarks.
We will start in Haslemere, easing into the route on Greensand Way paths as we climb toward the Temple of the Four Winds: A perfect first viewpoint and photo stop.
From there we continue over Gibbet Hill, one of the highest points in the area, before dropping into the spectacular bowl of the Devil’s Punch Bowl, where sweeping ridgeline views and heathland scenery make it feel wild and surprisingly remote.
After soaking up the Punch Bowl, we’ll follow a mix of pine forest, open heath and quiet tracks as we gradually make our way to Witley, finishing at the station for an easy journey home.

——-
🌟HIGHLIGHTS

• Temple of the Four Winds — iconic viewpoint over the Surrey Hills
• Gibbet Hill — one of the area’s best high points with wide panoramas
• Devil’s Punch Bowl — dramatic landscape, ridgelines and heathland views
• Greensand Way trails — sandy paths, woodland shade and open stretches

——-
📈 TRAIL DETAILS

• This is a Point-to-Point Hike
• Haslemere ➡️ Witley
• Distance: 23 km (14 miles)
• Total Ascent: 609 m
• Total Descent: 645 m
• Max elevation: 278 m
• Duration: ~6 hours (with breaks)
• Difficulty: 🥾🥾🥾🥾Level 4/5
• Pace: 4–5 km/h (~2.5–3.1 mph)

——-
💷 COST
Free
This hike is completely free to join but participants need to purchase their own transport tickets.

——-
⛳️ MEETING POINT & TIME

• Option 1️⃣
  👉🏻 London Waterloo Station – Main ticket office | 08:30
  👉🏻Train departure | 08:45
• Option 2️⃣
  👉🏻 Outside Haslemere station | 09:50

——-
📍HIKE START

• Outside Haslemere station | 10:00

🏁HIKE FINISH

• Witley station | ~17:00

——-
🎟️ TRAIN TICKET INFORMATION

• Super Off-Peak Return London Waterloo 🔁 Haslemere *via Witley with a Network Railcard is £17.65 (instead of £26.60).
• 💡If you’d like to join other hikers using a Network Railcard, please arrive earlier so we can organise small groups. Note that each card can cover up to 4 people.
• Visit National Rail for details

——-
🎒WHAT TO BRING

• Water (2 litres recommended)
• Snacks and packed lunch
• Rainproof (ideally waterproof) clothing
• Sturdy shoes or hiking boots
• A head torch or hand light

——-
✅WHO CAN JOIN
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Our hikes are open to adults aged 21 and over.
• 👶 For safety reasons, we’re not able to include children.
• 🐾 We love animals, but pets (including dogs) can’t join our hikes.
• ☑️ Everyone is welcome to RSVP, but to keep things fair for all members:
- If someone often cancels last minute or misses hikes without notice, they may be placed on a waitlist or removed from the group for future events.
- We do a quick check-in on the day of the hike, which helps us keep track and make sure spaces are available for those who really want to join.

——-
⚠️SAFETY
As adults, you are fully responsible for your own safety and decisions throughout the walk.

——-
📌NOTES

• This is a group hike led by volunteers. Everyone is welcome to join.
• A few wrong turns? That’s part of the fun!
• While you're free to “hike your own hike,” we encourage group participation, get to know one another, make new friends, and enjoy the journey together.

——-
🚨DISCLAIMER
Event Participation Disclaimer
By signing up for an event we host, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

• The organisers are not qualified hiking leaders, certified first aiders, or formally trained in navigation, survival, or any related disciplines.
• These hikes are informal, self-guided gatherings of like-minded individuals.
• The hosts expressly disclaim all responsibility and liability for any injuries, accidents, or safety incidents that may occur during participation.
• Participation is entirely voluntary, and all attendees are solely responsible for their own safety and well-being.
• These events are non-commercial and are organised purely as a recreational hobby, with no business or financial interests involved.
• Hiking and outdoor activities inherently carry risks of personal injury. By choosing to participate, you accept these risks and take full responsibility for your own actions and decisions.

———
🚨GENERAL GROUP POLICY

• Voluntary Participation: Attendance is at your own risk. The group and hosts bear no liability.
• No Professional Duty of Care: Hosts are volunteers, not trained guides or medical professionals.
• Insurance Is Your Responsibility: If desired, you must arrange your own personal insurance.
• Respect Nature: Follow Leave No Trace principles at all times.
• Emergency Preparedness: You are responsible for organising your own emergency plan.
• Weather and Safety: Events may be cancelled or changed if conditions are deemed unsafe.
• Self-Assessment Required: You must honestly assess your fitness and ability to keep pace with the group.
• No Guaranteed Rescue: While help may be offered, full rescue capabilities should not be expected.
• No Minors Without Guardians: Participants must be over 21.
• Right to Refuse Participation: Hosts may turn away any individual who appears unprepared or poses a safety risk to others.
• First Aid Preparedness Encouraged: It is highly recommended that each participant carries a small first aid kit for minor injuries such as cuts, scrapes, bites, and blisters.

——-
🚨FINAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT
By attending this event, you confirm that you are participating voluntarily and at your own risk. Neither the host nor the group accepts responsibility for any injury, loss, or damage incurred.