FREE HIKE 23km | North Downs Way Dorking to Guildford
Details
📈 Grade: 🥾🥾🥾 Level 3/5 (Moderate)
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
- 08:15 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:
🚶 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.