FREE HIKE 20km | Leatherhead Circular – ⚡Fast Pace

📈 Grade: 🥾🥾🥾🥾 Level 4/5 (Moderate to Strenuous)

Join us for an energising, brisk-paced, sociable circular hike starting and finishing at Leatherhead railway station. We begin with a scenic stretch along the River Mole, where the terrain can be muddy in places, before heading into the beautiful woodland of Norbury Park, with rolling paths and sweeping views across the Mole Valley and Surrey Hills. From there, we follow the picturesque route across the stepping stones and climb steadily to the summit of Box Hill, pausing for lunch near the Box Hill Visitor Centre to enjoy the panoramic scenery and good company. We then loop back to Leatherhead to complete the circuit. After the hike, those who wish can join us for a relaxed drink at Wetherspoons - Edmund Tylney before heading home.
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🛑 IMPORTANT
This is a fast paced hike designed strictly for experienced and very fit walkers. We will maintain a continuous brisk pace throughout the day with minimal stopping, including at summits. Regrouping will be limited and short. Please only join if you are fully confident that you can keep up without delaying the group. Proper hiking boots or walking shoes with good grip and ankle support are mandatory. Trainers are not permitted, as they significantly increase the risk of slips, sprains, and more serious injuries, particularly on uneven or muddy terrain. As a benchmark, you should be able to climb approximately 135 metres, such as the ascent of Box Hill (base to peak), in around 20 minutes with minimal stopping during the accent. This hike is most suitable for trail runners and highly experienced, high fitness hikers.
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OVERVIEW
📏 Distance: 20 km
💪 Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
⛰️ Ascent / Descent: 420 m ↑ / 428 m ↓
⏱️ Walking time: Approx. 5 hours
🕒 Total time: Approx. 6 hours including breaks
🚶 Pace: Fast. Not a Sunday stroll. Expect steady, continuous movement, aiming for 6 km/h on easy sections
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MEETING POINT AND TIMINGS
📍 09:30 Meet outside the main entrance of Leatherhead railway station
🚶 09:40 Start
🏁 16:00 End at Leatherhead town centre
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📍 LONDON GROUP TRAVEL (OPTIONAL)
Buy a return ticket to Leatherhead. Estimated fare £9.50 with a Network Railcard discount. AdrianB will be at the meeting point for those who wish to travel together.

08:15 Meet at London Victoria railway station ticket office
08:30 Leave meeting point to board train
08:40 Train departs London Victoria
08:47 Train departs Clapham Junction
09:29 Arrive at Leatherhead
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From Dorking:
09:15 and 09:20 arrivals at Leatherhead
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FOOD AND FACILITIES
🍔 Lunch: Bring a packed lunch
🚻 Facilities available at Box Hill Visitor Centre
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🎒 WHAT TO BRING
Packed lunch, snacks, and sufficient water
Proper hiking boots with grips. No trainers
Weather-appropriate layers and proper waterproofs
Fully charged phone
Personal medication and basic first aid
Trekking poles recommended for muddy ascents and descents
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📅 RSVP & 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.
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✅ WHO CAN JOIN
Adults aged 21 and over
No children
No pets
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👣 STAYING TOGETHER
Please keep others in sight and avoid moving too far ahead or falling too far behind. Faster walkers should wait at junctions.
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⬅️ EXIT POINTS
The route remains within approximately 5km (3 miles) of railway stations at Leatherhead, Dorking, and Box Hill & Westhumble, providing exit options for anyone who needs to leave the hike early or is unable to maintain the group pace.
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CONTACT
📞 For pre-event questions, please message the event host via Meetup. On the day of the walk, if required, you may contact AdrianB via WhatsApp on +44 (0) 7438 812 663.
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⚠️ 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. Neither the host nor the group can be held liable for injury, loss, or damage.