The Tracks Nobody Knows: Swinley Pine Forest by the back way | 24.5km (15 mi)

📈 Grade: 🥾🥾🥾 Level 3/5
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📖 ABOUT:
A Hike Together original that you won't find in any guidebook. We cross Swinley Forest from end to end, Martins Heron to Sandhurst, using the hidden tracks the waymarked trails don't show you. Soft pine-needle paths, sandy rides winding between tall Scots pines 🌲 quiet clearings and, with a bit of luck, a deer or two 🦌 Swinley is one of the largest stretches of Crown Estate woodland in the South East and once we leave the car parks behind we'll have most of it to ourselves.
Around halfway we stop for lunch at a café tucked away in the middle of the woodland, with proper toilets 🚻 and hot drinks ☕ so bring a packed lunch or treat yourself. In the afternoon the pines open out onto the heathland of Wildmoor Heath 🌾 before the final stretch into Sandhurst, where we finish at a pub with a lovely rear beer garden 🍺 for a well-earned drink before the train home 🚆

The going is mostly firm forest tracks and sandy heath paths with gentle, rolling climbs. Nothing steep, but at 24 km it's a full day on your feet, so bring a bit of stamina and a good breakfast 🥾😊
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🌟 HIGHLIGHTS:
Miles of Scots pine – Swinley Forest at its quietest, well away from the car parks
Hidden tracks – pine-needle paths and sandy rides you won't find on the waymarked trails
Wildlife – roe deer, woodlark and dragonflies if we're lucky
Surrey Hill – the high point of the forest with views over the tree tops
Wildmoor Heath – lowland heath nature reserve, lizards and dragonflies in season
Lunch at café and toilets roughly halfway
Pub finish – a lovely rear beer garden to toast the day
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SUMMARY:
🥾 24.5km (15mi) | Point to point | Ascent: 355m | Descent: ~366m | Max elevation: 140m | ~7 hours
🚆 Train from London Waterloo station
⛳️ Meeting Point: 2 Options
1- London Waterloo, in front of the ticket office / opposite platform 15 | 08:50 (Train is at 09:18)
2- Martins Heron - Outside train station | 10:15
📍 Hike start: outside Martins Heron train station | 10:25
🏁 Hike finish: Sandhurst (Berks) train station | approx. 17:15
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🚊 TRAIN TICKET INFORMATION
🎟️Off-Peak Day Return London Waterloo ⇆ Sandhurst (Berks), route *via Wokingham. Buy it to Sandhurst and simply get off at Martins Heron on the way out – it's on the same line, so the one ticket covers the whole day.
With Network Railcard: £13.45 (Standard: £20.20)
➡️Outbound: London Waterloo 09:18 → 10:18 Martins Heron (direct, 1 h)
⬅️Inbound: Sandhurst (Berks), Any Off-Peak Return → London Waterloo (1 change at Wokingham)
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💷COST: Free
This hike is completely free to join but participants need to purchase their own transport tickets.
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🎒WHAT TO BRING:
2L Water
Packed lunch and snacks
Comfortable walking/hiking shoes
Weather-appropriate clothing (layers, waterproofs, hat, sunscreen)
Optional: trekking poles, camera
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✅WHO CAN JOIN:
Our hikes are open to adults aged 21 and over.
For safety reasons, we're not able to include children.
We love animals, but pets (including dogs) can't join our hikes.
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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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☯️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.
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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.