Leatherhead, Mole Gap & Box Hill: Hills, Steps & Mud | 19 km (12 mi) | Free Hike

📈 Grade: 🥾🥾🥾🥾 Level 4/5 (Moderate to strenuous)
ℹ️ If you’re on the waitlist and are want to attend then contact the event host. Don’t rely on the waitlist moving automatically.
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🧠 How it will feel
Regular hikers → comfortable overall, with a few steep ascents
Casual walkers → challenging, especially on the climbs
Beginners→ a very tough and demanding day
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🚨 PLEASE NOTE: This hike is for experienced hikers who can maintain a moderate pace throughout and get moving again quickly after steep climbs. Please sign up only if you’re committed to attending and fit enough for the challenge. This hike is not suitable for beginners.
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Join us for a Sunday social hike starting and finishing in Leatherhead. Don’t let the shorter distance fool you: expect steep climbs, steep descents and a moderate pace throughout.

We’ll start along the Mole Gap Trail before heading through the Norbury Park woodlands. Then it’s on to the Box Hill steps.

The climb up Box Hill is steep, so expect your heart rate to rise. The steps are a proper workout, but reaching the top is a rewarding part of the route. We’ll stop for lunch at the Box Hill Visitor Centre.

After lunch, we’ll descend Box Hill’s steep slopes and loop back towards the Mole Gap. The return route may take us through cattle fields with deep, squishy mud. If it’s not mud, it might be something the cows left behind! The mud will try to keep your boots for itself, so proper hiking boots and gaiters are strongly recommended. You may want shoe covers for the journey home, or you’ll be taking half of Mole Valley back with you.

We should reach Leatherhead by mid to late afternoon. There’ll be an optional stop at the local Wetherspoons for a quick drink before heading home.
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HIGHLIGHTS
🥾 Sunday social hike starting and finishing in Leatherhead
🌳 Route through the Mole Gap Trail and Norbury Park
⛰️ Steep climb up the Box Hill steps
🥪 A well-earned lunch stop at the Box Hill Visitor Centre
🔥 Moderate pace and a proper hill challenge
🟤 Squishy, muddy cattle fields on the return route
🌄 Lovely views along the way, if you can keep up!
🍻 An optional post-hike drink at the local Wetherspoons
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OVERVIEW
📏 Distance: 19 km (≈12 miles)
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous, due to the steep hills
📈📉 Elevation: 309 m ascent and 308 m descent
🚶Pace: Around 4.5–5.5 km/h (2.8–3.4 mph, not a slow walk).

The terrain includes concrete paths, uneven tracks beside fields, wide and narrow woodland trails, cattle fields, grassy slopes and lots of steps on the climbs. Woodland sections may have exposed tree roots, and paths can be slippery and muddy after rain.
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📍 LONDON GROUP TRAVEL (OPTIONAL)
For those travelling from London: Buy a return ticket to Leatherhead. The fare is £9.90 with a Network Railcard or £14.40 without one.

08:15 Meet at the London Bridge ticket office
08:30 Leave the meeting point and walk to the platform
08:37 Train departs towards Dorking
09:29 Arrive at Leatherhead
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MEETING POINT AND TIMINGS
📍Meet at the entrance to Platform 2 at Leatherhead railway station at 09:35.
▶️ Start: as soon as check-in is complete (around 09:45).
🏁 Finish: Leatherhead town centre at approximately 15:30–16:00.
⏱️ Estimated walking time: Approximately 4.5 hours
🕒 Estimated total duration: 5.5 hours, including breaks and stops
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🚗 BY CAR
Parking at Leatherhead railway station.
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FOOD AND FACILITIES
Lunch will be at the Box Hill Visitor Centre, which has a café serving snacks and hot and cold drinks, as well as toilets and indoor and outdoor seating.
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🎒 WHAT TO BRING
Packed lunch and snacks
At least 2 litres of water, and more in hot weather
Proper hiking boots or shoes with good grip
Weather-appropriate clothing and waterproofs
A fully charged phone
Personal medication and basic first-aid supplies
Optional trekking poles
More snacks than you think you need
A smile, good vibes and a sense of adventure
🔦 Head torch
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✅ WHO CAN JOIN
Adults aged 21 and over
No children
No pets
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📅 RSVP & ATTENDANCE
Please RSVP only if you genuinely plan to attend. If you can no longer come, cancel as early as possible so someone else can take your place.

A no-show means RSVPing but not attending, or cancelling shortly before the start time. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations without a valid reason may lead to removal from the group.

If you are stuck on the waitlist and would like to attend, please message the event host directly.
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👣 GROUP PACE & PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES
This is a social group hike, and everyone is expected to stay reasonably connected with the group rather than rushing far 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 to allow the group to regroup.

If you choose to leave the group structure or continue at a significantly different pace, you will be considered to be hiking independently and will be responsible for your own route and safety.

By attending, you agree to follow these guidelines.
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EXIT POINTS
Box Hill & Westhumble railway station (halfway)
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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:
You are responsible for deciding whether this hike is suitable for you and for taking reasonable care of your own safety. Please read the group policy before attending. The host and group accept no responsibility for injury, loss or damage.