🌲Surrey Hills Winter Hike | Leith Hill & Dorking | Free Hike 25 km (15.5 mi)
Details
📈 Grade: 🥾🥾🥾🥾 Level 4/5 (Moderate, very steep hill)
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🧠 How it will feel
Regular hikers → comfortable overall, though some climbs are steep
Casual walkers → challenging, especially on the steep climbs
Newcomers → a very tough and demanding day
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Join us for a winter walk through the Surrey Hills, starting and finishing in Dorking. We’ll follow open fields and peaceful woodland trails through rolling countryside, with a few steep climbs along the way. This full-day hike is best suited to experienced walkers looking for a rewarding winter challenge.
Our toughest climb takes us through ancient woodland to Leith Hill, the highest point in southeast England. At the summit, we’ll enjoy the views from Leith Hill Tower before warming up with tea, coffee or cake at the cosy café.
The return route winds through woodland and past Denbies Wine Estate. We’ll keep a steady, comfortable pace, with time to catch our breath and enjoy the scenery.
The final hour may be in the dark, along wide, straightforward paths, so a head torch is essential. Back in Dorking, you’re welcome to join us for an optional drink at a pub beside the station before heading home.
🌇 Sunset on Sunday 15 November is at about 16:13 GMT. Please bring a head torch!
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OVERVIEW
📏 Distance: 25 km (15.5 miles)
🥾 Difficulty: Moderate
📈📉 Elevation: 453 m of ascent and 453 m of descent
🚶 Pace: We’ll walk at a steady, sociable pace of around 4.5–5.5 km/h (2.8–3.4 mph). If you usually walk faster, please be prepared to adjust. This isn’t a race or an endurance walk, but it won’t be a slow, leisurely stroll either. If you prefer to maintain a faster or much slower pace, this hike may not be the right fit for you.
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MEETING POINT AND TIMINGS
📍 Meet: Dorking Main railway station entrance at 09:40
▶️ Start: As soon as check-in is complete, around 09:50
🏁 Finish: Dorking Main railway station at approximately 17:00-17:30
⏱️ Estimated walking time: Approximately 6.5 hours
🕒 Estimated total duration: Approximately 7.5 hours, including breaks and stops
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📍 OPTIONAL LONDON GROUP TRAVEL
For those travelling from London: A return ticket to Dorking Main costs £10.50 with a Network Railcard or £15.80 without one. If you wish to travel as a group from London Victoria and do not have a Network Railcard but would like to benefit from a discounted fare, please arrive at the meeting point on time. The organiser or another group member may be able to include you in a group booking.
08:10 Meet at London Victoria, next to the ticket office
08:25 Walk to the platform
08:40 Depart London Victoria
09:37 Arrive at Dorking Main
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🚗 BY CAR
Parking is available at Dorking railway station. [Website]
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FOOD AND FACILITIES
🍔 Lunch: Around 13:00. Bring a packed lunch, snacks and water.
🚻 Facilities: Nature stops only; there are no toilets along the route.
Note: It may be chilly at the top of Leith Hill, so consider bringing a hot drink, a hat and gloves. A sit mat is also useful in case the benches are wet.
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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 plan to attend, and cancel as early as possible if your plans change. Repeated no-shows or last-minute cancellations without a valid reason may lead to removal from the group.
If you’re on the waitlist and are sure you can attend, please message the event host directly. I’ll do my best to fit you in.
Waitlist: Waitlists are managed manually and may not update automatically. Once the attendance cap is reached, the event is effectively full. The host may move people from the waitlist based on their attendance history and reliability, helping to allocate places available for members who are likely to attend.
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👣 GROUP PACE & PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES
This is a social hike. Please stay within sight of the group and wait at junctions if you walk faster. A back marker may not always be present. If you leave the group or walk at a very different pace, you’re responsible for your own route and safety. By attending, you agree to these guidelines.
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EXIT POINTS
Coldharbour and Westcott. Call a taxi to return to Dorking.
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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.