Arboretum Colours 🌸, Twin Peaks & Riverside Calm | 24km, (15mi)

📈 Grade: 🥾🥾🥾 Level 4/5 (Moderate, some steep ascents)
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🧠 How it will feel
Regular hikers → comfortable overall, with a few steep ascents
Casual walkers → challenging, especially on the climbs
Newcomers → a tough and demanding day
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🛑 IMPORTANT: This hike is not suitable for beginners and is best suited to regular hikers.
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Step into spring with a scenic and energising hike through rolling hills, peaceful woodlands, and some of Surrey’s most rewarding viewpoints, including two of the area’s standout hilltop climbs.

Join us for a varied and engaging adventure through the stunning Surrey Hills National Landscape, combining woodland trails, quiet country lanes, and sandy gravel paths that keep the journey interesting from start to finish.

A highlight of the walk is a visit to Winkworth Arboretum, where a public right of way leads us straight through the grounds. Managed by the National Trust, the arboretum is home to a diverse collection of trees and shrubs from around the world, carefully arranged across a picturesque landscape of lakes, woodland and seasonal colour. A great chance to enjoy the scenery up close, with an optional stop for facilities before we continue.

We then head towards Bramley, before taking on the steady climb up Chinthurst Hill. This wooded hill is known for its distinctive tower at the summit and offers rewarding views over the surrounding countryside. At the top, we will pause for lunch and take in the scenery.

The route continues to Chilworth before the main challenge of the day: the climb up St Martha's Hill. It is steep and will get the heart pumping, but the panoramic views at the top make it more than worth the effort.

On the return, we explore a different side of Chantry Wood, an ancient woodland known for its tall beech and and pine trees, peaceful atmosphere, and well-maintained trails. It offers a quieter, more immersive forest experience and keeps the route feeling fresh and varied.

The final stretch takes us through Shalford Park, finishing with a relaxed riverside walk along the River Wey.

We wrap up in Guildford, where pubs and cafés offer the perfect setting to unwind, refuel, and celebrate a great day out while waiting for the train home.
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OVERVIEW
📏 Distance: 24 km (≈15 miles)
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate
📈📉 551 m ascent / descent
📊 Steepest Gradient: 15° (one short but very steep section)
🟩 Terrain: Woodland paths, countryside trails, with moderate and steep hills
🚶 Pace: 4.5 to 5.5 km/h (a steady pace throughout, not a race but not a slow stroll)
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MEETING POINT AND TIMINGS
📍 09:50 Meet at Farncombe railway station
▶️ 10:05 Hike starts
🏁 17:00 Finish in Guildford town centre

⏱️ Walking time: approx. 6 hours
🕒 Total time: approx. 7 hours including breaks and regrouping stops
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📍 OPTIONAL LONDON GROUP TRAVEL
Buy a return ticket to Farncombe. AdrianB will be at the London Waterloo meeting point.
£13.85 with Network Railcard discount.

08:25 Meet at London Waterloo (next to ticket office)
08:35 Walk to platform
08:47 Depart Waterloo
09:47 Arrive Farncombe

🚂 TRAINS

From London Waterloo
08:47 → 09:47 Farncombe
This train stops at: Clapham Junction and Guildford, then Farncombe
£13.85

From Portsmouth Harbour
08:48 → 09:59 Farncombe
£13.85
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🚗 BY CAR
It is recommended to park at the end point in Guildford town centre, then get a train to the Farncombe start point.
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FOOD AND FACILITIES
🍔 Lunch: Bring a packed lunch
🚻 Facilities: Limited. Toilets are available at Winkworth Arboretum only.
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🎒 WHAT TO BRING
Packed lunch, snacks, and sufficient water
Proper hiking boots or shoes with good grip
Weather-appropriate layers and waterproofs
Sun protection
Fully charged phone
Personal medication and basic first aid
Optional trekking poles
A smile, good vibes, and a sense of adventure
More snacks than you think you need
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📋 RSVP POLICY:
RSVP only if you plan to attend. If your plans change, update your RSVP as early as possible so organisers can plan safely and fairly. Repeated no-shows without prior notice may result in removal from the group or limits on attending future events.
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✅ WHO CAN JOIN
Adults aged 21 and over
No children
No pets
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👣 GROUP PACE & PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES
This is a friendly, social hike where we walk together and enjoy the experience as a group.

Please stay with the group rather than heading off ahead, as the aim is to connect and share the journey together.

A back marker may not always be present, so please keep the group in sight and stay within a reasonable distance.

To help keep things running smoothly, faster walkers should wait at junctions. If needed, feel free to pass slower walkers and continue with the main group.

Organisers may pause at suitable points to regroup.

We do our best to keep everyone together, but we can’t stop frequently for individuals who are unable to maintain the pace. In these situations, you may need to continue at your own pace.

If you choose to move ahead or leave the group structure, you’ll be considered to be continuing independently and responsible for your own route and safety. If you do so without informing an organiser, it will be assumed you’re managing independently.

By attending, you agree to follow these guidelines.
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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, and neither the host nor the group can be held liable for injury, loss, or damage.