🍇 Vineyards, Woodlands & River Trails | North Downs Way | 24 km (15 mi)

📈 Grade: 🥾🥾🥾 Level 3/5 (Moderate)
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🧠 How it will feel
Regular hikers → Moderate
Casual walkers → Moderate to Challenging
Newcomers to long-distance hiking → You may find this difficult
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OVERVIEW
📏 Distance: 24 km (≈15 miles)
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate
📈📉 Elevation: 258 m ascent / 269 m descent
➡️ Point-to-point (Start: Dorking, End: Guildford)
🚶 Walking pace: We will walk at a steady, purposeful, yet conversational pace of around 4.5–5.5 km/h.
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Join us for a relaxing summer social hiking adventure as we follow the beautiful North Downs Way from Dorking to Guildford, discovering tranquil, shaded woodland trails, rolling countryside, and some of Surrey's finest landscapes.

This hike is all about enjoying the journey, sharing great conversations, meeting new people, and spending time in nature. It isn't a race or an ultra-endurance challenge, but a relaxed, moderately paced day out where you can unwind, enjoy the scenery, and make the most of the outdoors.

There will be a few stops throughout the day to regroup, enjoy a drink or snack, take in the scenery, and chat along the way.

Our adventure begins in Dorking, passing through the famous Denbies Vineyard, where the vines will be in full summer growth before we join the North Downs Way. A short climb leads us towards Ranmore Common, where the surrounding woodland and sweeping countryside begin to unfold. From here, the route meanders beneath a leafy canopy, following a mixture of wide forest tracks, open paths, and the occasional narrower, uneven footpath. On some of the less-frequented trails, where nature has been left to flourish, you may encounter the occasional bramble or nettle, adding to the route's natural character.

As the day unfolds, we'll pause for a relaxing picnic lunch before arriving at Newlands Corner, the perfect place to refill water bottles, grab a coffee or ice cream, or simply sit back and admire the views.

Continuing onwards, we'll cross open countryside before making the gentle climb to the historic St Martha's Church. The trail then winds through distinctive sandy woodland before gradually descending to the picturesque River Wey, providing a memorable final stretch into Guildford.

Although the route includes two short climbs, neither is particularly strenuous. We'll take them at a comfortable pace, with plenty of opportunities to pause and appreciate the surrounding landscapes.

After the hike, there'll be the option to visit the local Wetherspoons for a well-earned drink and perhaps a bite to eat, providing the perfect opportunity to unwind, relax, and round off a fantastic day in the Surrey Hills.
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🌟 HIGHLIGHTS
🤝 Relaxed and sociable atmosphere with plenty of opportunities to meet fellow hikers.
🍇 Wander through the famous Denbies Vineyard in full summer growth.
🌳 Explore tranquil, shaded woodland along the North Downs Way.
🌄 Enjoy rolling Surrey countryside and panoramic views.
☕ Relax at Newlands Corner with coffee, ice cream, or refreshments.
⛪ Visit the historic hilltop St Martha's Church.
🌊 Follow the picturesque River Wey into Guildford.
🍻 Optional post-hike drinks and food with the group.
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🚂 TRAINS
Catch the 09:02 train from London Waterloo, arriving in Dorking Main at 09:54

Catch the 09:35 train from Guildford, arriving at Dorking Deepdene at 09:52.

Catch the 09:26 train from Gatwick, arriving at Dorking Deepdene at 09:49.

🎟️ TICKETS FROM LONDON
OUT: Buy a single from London Waterloo to Dorking £5.25
RTN: Buy a single from Guildford to London Waterloo £11.75
Total ticket cost for the day: £17.00

Note: If you try to buy a return ticket from London to Guildford via Dorking, it may be more expensive.
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📍 MEETING POINT AND TIMINGS
⛳️ 10:00 - Meet at the entrance to Dorking Main railway station
▶️ We'll set off as soon as check-in has been completed.
🏁 About 17:00 – Finish in Guildford town centre

⏱️ Estimated moving time: 5.5 hours
🕒 Estimated total duration: 7 hours, including breaks and regrouping stops
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📍 OPTIONAL LONDON GROUP TRAVEL
The event host AdrianB will be present as a focal point for group travel.
08:30 – Meet at the London Waterloo ticket office
08:45 – Leave the meeting point and board the train
09:02 – Train departs from London Waterloo
09:54 – Arrive at Dorking Main railway station

🚆 RETURN JOURNEY
Regular trains run from Guildford to London, Dorking, and other surrounding destinations.
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FOOD AND FACILITIES
🍔 Lunch: Bring a packed lunch and snacks.
🚻 Toilets, drinking water, coffee, refreshments, and an optional pub stop are available at Newlands Corner, approximately 15 km into the hike.
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🎒 WHAT TO BRING
Packed lunch, snacks, and 2 litres of 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 supplies
Optional trekking poles
A smile, good vibes, and a sense of adventure
A few more snacks than you think you'll need
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📅 RSVP & ATTENDANCE
RSVP only if you genuinely plan to attend. If you can no longer make it, please cancel at least 48 hours in advance, or as early as possible, so that someone else can take your place. A no-show is when you RSVP but do not attend, or cancel shortly before or after the event starts. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations without a valid reason may result in removal from the group and reduced priority for future events. Reliable members who find themselves on the waiting list are welcome to message the host for priority consideration. Please note that the order of the waiting list does not always determine who will be offered a place. Organisers may prioritise reliable members based on their previous attendance history and overall reliability.
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👣 GROUP PACE & PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES
This is a social group hike, and we ask everyone to stay with the group rather than rushing ahead or falling behind. Please keep the group in sight and remain within a reasonable distance, as a back marker may not always be present. Faster walkers should wait at junctions, and organisers may stop at suitable points for regrouping. If you choose to leave the group structure or continue at a significantly different pace, you will be considered to be hiking independently and responsible for your own route and safety. By attending, you agree to follow these guidelines.
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EXIT POINTS
Around 9 km: Leave the route and walk approximately 20 minutes to Gomshall railway station.
Around 18 km: Leave the route and walk approximately 20 minutes to Chilworth railway station.
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📞 CONTACT: For questions, please message the event host via Meetup. On the day of the walk, 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 any injury, loss, or damage.