Hike Together

✅ 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 Farnham Railway Station Multi-Storey Car Park.

📍MEETING POINT OPTION 1 [TRAINS FROM LONDON]:
Tickets: Buy a return from London Waterloo to Farnham. £16.25 with Network Railcard discount or £24.40 without (correct at time of posting). AdrianB will be at the London Waterloo 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 Waterloo ticket office
• 08:35 Leave meeting point to board the train
• 08:54 Train departs London Waterloo
• 9:23 Change at Woking to the 9:31 train (destination Alton)
• 09:55 Arrive at Farnham Station

Please always check before you travel for any changes.

📍 MEETING POINT OPTION 2:

• 09:50 - Farnham railway station main entrance

🚶 WALK STARTS:

• 10:00 - Farnham railway station main entrance

🏁 WALK FINISHES:

• Approx. 16:30 – Farnham railway station

🍔 LUNCH:
Packed lunch and snacks. Refreshments may be available at Waverley Abbey and Frensham Ponds, though options can be limited. Lunch break: approximately 30 to 40 minutes, depending on pace and timing.

🌳 TOILETS:

• Discreet nature stops
• Waverley Abbey Visitor Centre
• Frensham Ponds 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 (12 miles, circular)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Total Ascent/Descent: 296 m / 294 m
• Maximum/Minimum Elevation: 109 m / 50 m
• Estimated Duration: ~6.5 hours (including breaks)
• Pace: ~4.5 km/h (a steady, comfortable pace suitable for conversation)
• Terrain: A mix of woodland trails and uneven paths with a few short, steeper ascents and descents, but mostly flat overall.

🎒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 and a renewed sense of motivation to kick-start the new year.

🚂 RETURN TRAINS TO LONDON:
Regular trains run from Farnham to London Waterloo via Guildford or Woking.

📞 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.

📈 Grade: 🥾 Level 3/5
...
📍 MEETING POINT:
10:50 Harpenden Railway Station, main entrance
...
🚶 WALK STARTS:
11:00 Harpenden Railway Station, main entrance
...
🏁 WALK FINISHES:
16:30 St Albans City Railway Station
...
Join us for a leisurely and scenic walk from Harpenden to St Albans, taking in some of the finest countryside and historic landscapes Hertfordshire has to offer.

We begin along the Nickey Line, a peaceful path following a disused railway line that once connected Harpenden with Hemel Hempstead. Its flat, gently curving route makes for an easy and enjoyable start to the walk.

Leaving the Nickey Line, we continue through open fields and classic Hertfordshire countryside before arriving in the riverside village of Wheathampstead. Set on the River Lea, this historic village was once known for brewing and malting and is a perfect spot for a short pause.

From here, the route opens out across Nomansland Common, an expansive stretch of traditional common land with open skies, grazing animals, and a surprisingly remote feel. We then continue through Heartwood Forest, enjoying wide rides, woodland paths, and varied scenery, before passing through the quieter Langley Wood.

Our final stretch takes us through the elegant grounds of St Michael’s Manor Gardens, finishing at the magnificent St Albans Abbey.
...
After the hike, there is an optional opportunity to relax and socialise at a local pub or café before the journey home.
...
🍔 LUNCH:
Around 12:00 in Wheathampstead we will stop for approximately 45 minutes. There is a small selection of pubs, cafés, town seating, a Tesco Express for snacks, and a bakery.
...
✅ WHO CAN JOIN:
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Adults aged 21 and over

👶 No children, for safety reasons
🐾 No pets, due to allergies and phobias within the group
...
💰 COST:
The hike is free
...
🚂 TRAINS - LONDON DEPARTURE:
Buy a return ticket from London St Pancras International to Harpenden for £9.10 with a Network Railcard or using GroupSave.

• 10:00 Optional meet at London St Pancras International main ticket office
• 10:15 Leave the meeting point and head to Platform B
• 10:23 Train departs London St Pancras International
• 10:49 Arrival at Harpenden

...
🚂 TRAINS - BEDFORD DEPARTURE:

• 10:16 Train departs Bedford (BDM)
• 10:51 Arrival at Harpenden

...
🚗 🅿️ BY CAR:
Optional: You can park at Harpenden station car park and take the 5-minute train journey back from St Albans to Harpenden at the end of the hike, or park in St Albans and catch the train to the meeting start point in Harpenden.
...
↩️ RETURN TRAINS
There are regular trains from St Albans City towards London and Bedford via Harpenden.
...
🚻 TOILETS:

• Lunchtime pub or café stop in Wheathampstead
• Natural facilities available during the walk

...
⚠️ TERRAIN, CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTY

• Distance: Approximately 18 km (11 miles)
• Difficulty: EASY/MODERATE
• Ascent and descent: 206 m up, 219 m down
• Elevation: High point 134 m, low point 81 m
• Average pace: About 4.5 km/h, up to 5 km/h where possible
• Walking time: Around 4 hours
• Total duration: Approximately 5 hours including breaks and stops

This route includes a mix of wide and narrow woodland paths, well-marked gravel tracks, and sections of uneven chalky or stony ground, with a few short muddy stretches. The terrain is mostly flat with a few gentle inclines. This walk is suitable for beginners who are comfortable walking around 11 miles at a steady, relaxed pace and is intended as a sociable and enjoyable day out rather than a physical challenge.
...
🎒 WHAT TO BRING

• Packed lunch, snacks, and at least 2 litres of water
• Sturdy hiking boots
• Layers and waterproofs
• A warm layer such as a fleece or insulating jacket
• Sun protection
• Personal medication
• Basic first aid and blister plasters
• Optional walking poles (recommended for some descents)
• Fully charged phone
• Head torch
• Portable phone charger or power bank
• Dry bags or a waterproof cover for your backpack
• Whistle for emergencies
• Offline maps or GPS
• Some cash or a bank card

...
📅 RSVP and Attendance
RSVP only if you plan to attend. Please cancel as early as possible if you can no longer make it so others can join. A no-show means you RSVPed but did not attend or cancelled just before or after the start time. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations without a valid reason may lead to removal. Reliable regulars who end up on a waitlist may message the host for priority consideration.
...
👣 Staying Together
A dedicated back marker is not always present, so please keep others in sight and avoid moving too far ahead or falling too far behind. Faster walkers should wait at junctions. The hike leader will pause at key points to regroup and reduce the chance of anyone becoming separated from the group.
...
📞 CONTACT:
Please message the event host AdrianB directly via Meetup with any questions.
...
⚠️ DISCLAIMER:
By joining, you confirm that you have 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.
...
🍃 We look forward to welcoming you on the trail.

• 09:20 Dorking Main railway station

🚶 WALK STARTS:

• 09:30 Dorking Main railway station

🏁 WALK FINISHES:

• 16:00 Guildford town centre || Guildford Railway Station

Join us for a leisurely winter walk following the North Downs Way from Dorking to Guildford, a route rich in history, scenery, and quiet countryside. Beginning in Dorking, we first follow a section of the ancient Pilgrims Way. While today it is a peaceful gravel track, in 1170 this route carried medieval pilgrims travelling from Winchester to Canterbury Cathedral to visit the shrine of Thomas Becket following his martyrdom.

Soon, the trail climbs onto the North Downs Way, leading us into tranquil woodland paths with occasional viewpoints opening out across the surrounding landscape. The steady ascent is rewarding rather than strenuous, easing us into the rhythm of the walk.

We continue through West Hanger and Netley Park, where shaded woodland, birdsong, and winter wildlife create a calm and immersive atmosphere. These quieter sections offer a welcome contrast to the open ridges and invite a slower pace.

Our lunch stop is at West Hanger, where picnic tables are available and there is the option to purchase a hot drink from the kiosk. It is an ideal place to rest, refuel, and enjoy the peaceful setting.

Refreshed, we continue on toward Newlands Corner, a much-loved beauty spot offering panoramic views, a café, toilets, and open picnic areas. This is another excellent pause point to take in the wide Surrey Hills scenery.

Leaving Newlands Corner, the path crosses Albury Downs before climbing steadily to St Martha’s Hill. At the summit, the historic hilltop church and sweeping views over the North Downs and Tillingbourne Valley provide one of the most memorable highlights of the day.

From here, we descend toward Guildford across Pewley Down, a beautiful stretch of open chalk downland with far-reaching views and a real sense of space. It is one of the finest viewpoints along the southern edge of the North Downs and a fitting approach into town.

Our journey concludes at Guildford Castle, where there is time to explore the historic surroundings, wander into the town centre, and optionally finish the day with a celebratory drink at one of Guildford’s welcoming local pubs.

✅ 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 with attendees individually. Anyone who does not arrive will be marked as a no-show.

⚠️TRAVEL NOTICE 17 JAN 2026:
On 17 January 2026, there will be a bus replacement service operating between Guildford and Dorking due to rail engineering. Please take this into consideration when planning travel, particularly if you are arriving by car or relying on return trains from Guildford back to Dorking.

📍MEETING POINT OPTION 1 [TRAINS FROM LONDON]:
Outbound: Buy a single ticket from London Waterloo to Dorking Main: £5.25 (£7.90 without Network Railcard or group discount)
Return: Buy a single ticket from Guildford to London Waterloo: £11.75 (£17.70 without Network Railcard or group discount)
Total travel cost for the day from Central London: about £17

• 08:00 London Waterloo ticket office
• 08:10 Leave the ticket office and board the train
• 08:23 Train departs London Waterloo
• 09:18 Train arrives at Dorking Main

📍 MEETING POINT OPTION 2:

• 09:20 Dorking Main railway station

🚶 WALK STARTS:

• 09:30 Dorking Main railway station

🏁 WALK FINISHES:

• 16:00 Guildford town centre || Guildford Railway Station

🍔 LUNCH:
Our lunch stop is at West Hanger, where picnic tables are available and there is the option to purchase a hot drink from the kiosk. It is an ideal place to rest, refuel, and enjoy the peaceful woodland setting.

🌳 TOILETS:

• Discreet nature stops
• Newlands Corner Visitor Centre
• Guildford

👣 STAYING TOGETHER:
Please keep others in sight and avoid straying too far ahead or behind. If you are at the front, pause at junctions. If you are at the back, stay close enough to see someone ahead. It is everyone’s responsibility to help keep the group together. We will stop periodically, usually at junctions, to regroup, rest, and reconnect. Please try to keep the group leader within your line of sight whenever possible.

⚠️ TERRAIN, CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTY:

• Distance: ~23 km (14 miles)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Total ascent/descent: 529 m / 543 m
• Maximum/minimum elevation: 222 m / 34 m
• Estimated duration: ~6 hours (including breaks)
• Pace: ~4.5 km/h (a steady, comfortable pace suitable for conversation)
• Terrain: A few short steep ascents and descents, uneven paths, woodland trails, sandy and gravel tracks, country lanes.

🎒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

🚂 RETURN TRAINS TO LONDON:
Trains back to London Waterloo (fast): 16:49, 17:00, 17:19, 17:49 (back in London within about 35 minutes). Additional trains run back to Dorking Deepdene

📞 CONTACT:
Message the event host AdrianB 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.