GO London Hiking

Join me for a rewarding hike in the South Downs with some grand hills to climb! Starting in the village of Southease, we'll take a lofty hike up along the spine of the South Downs and circle around the beautiful town of Lewes via Black Cap. This is the heart of the beautiful South Downs National Park and pastoral England, and great for those who like hilly challenges.

The hike concludes back in Lewes where there will be an optional stop for a well-deserved drink before catching the train back to London.

🕘 Schedule & Meeting Info

• Meeting Time: 08:25 at London Victoria Station near the main ticket office. (Alternatively, you can meet us at the hike start point - please DM me so we don’t miss you)
• Train Departure: 08:54 train from London Victoria Station Journey time: 1 Hour 12m with a change at Lewes.
• Tickets (not included): Purchase a day return ticket to Southease on the day or in advance. Group save tickets buy on the day.
• Hike Start: 10:10 at Southease Station
• Estimated finish: Approx 17:30 Lewes Station
• Lunch: Please bring lunch, snacks, water, suitable clothing, and hiking footwear. We will not be stopping at a shop or a pub so have everything you need for the day.
• No dogs allowed except service dogs - please DM me in advance.

Escape the rush of the city and immerse yourself in an incredible, high-impact 29-kilometre panoramic journey across the rolling spine of the Surrey Hills National Landscape. Curated specifically for lovers of sweeping landscapes and natural symmetry.

We gather in the morning at London Waterloo to catch our train down to Dorking, stepping off the platforms and with a warm up we immediately hit the historic paths to begin our assault on the ridges.

### The Scenic Highlights: Viewpoints & Iconic Landmarks

• Denbies Hillside: Experience your first grand panoramic look over wide-open chalk downlands, offering magnificent, uninterrupted views down over the deep valley basins.
• Silent Pool & White Downs: Wander across beautifully sculpted paths and deep woodland tracks, discovering the mysterious, crystal-clear spring waters hidden at the base of the downs.
• Hackhurst Downs: Climb onto the spectacular, airy ridges of this local nature reserve to gaze down into folding green valleys tucked completely away from the modern world.
• St Martha’s Hill Summit and Gun Powder Mill: Conquer the high flats of this famous sandstone ridge, offering unparalleled 360-degree vantage points topped by the iconic, lonely stone structure of St Martha's Church and visit the remains of what was meant to be gun powder mill during World War II.

### The Flow of our Day

We will start our hike from Dorking station at around 9:14 AM with a briefing for the day and a warmup exercise before we hit the trail.

Our mid-hike lunch stop is perfectly positioned right on the grassy crest of the ridge line—allowing us to relax, chat, and refuel with a massive landscape unfolding right in front of us. From there, we keep our technical momentum going through rolling green pastures, eventual valley descents, and historical scarp passes until our linear route is beautifully complete at Chilworth.

To celebrate a magnificent day out in nature, we will finish by dropping into a wonderful, classic country pub near the end of our trail for an optional, well-deserved cold drink and a chat.

### Who is this Hike For?

Everyone who is an experienced hiker with a considerable endurance , if you like a long-distance endurance walk and love getting a full, active day out in the elements. Given the substantial 29 km distance and 930m of vertical climbing, we will manage our energy steadily to soak in the views without rushing. If you have a solid level of walking fitness, love wide-open spaces, and want a true physical achievement in nature, this is the perfect line-up for you.

Please note this is not for beginners. You need a good level of endurance to compete this walk. If for some reason you are not able to maintain the pace, I will have to request you to drop out so that group can finish the walk in a timely manner without further delay.

### 🕓 Schedule & Meeting Info

• MEETING TIME: 8:05 AM London Waterloo Station – near National Windrush Monument / Directly at Dorking main station if you wish to reach directly via a different route. Please inform us in advance.
• TRAINS: 08:23 Train from London Waterloo to Dorking Main Station / Any station of your choice to suit your travel location.
• TICKETS: Waterloo to Dorking (main) station - Return
  (Train tickets are not included; buy them on the day or in advance.)
• Since this is a linear hike, we’ll begin at Dorking (main station) and conclude at Chilworth. On our return journey, we’ll take the train from Chilworth Station to Dorking Deepdene, followed by a 2-minute walk to Dorking Main Station. You would be needed to purchase a one time ticket from Chileworth station to Dorking Deepdene. Finally, we’ll board the last train from Dorking Main Station to London Waterloo/Any station of your choice.
• HIKE START: 9:14 AM
• LUNCH: Packed Lunch
• HIKE FINISH: 18:00 (Given the 8+ hour route duration, no guarantees!)
• RETURN TRAINS: Running regularly from our finish station back to central London.

### 📍 Hike Overview

• Grade: Strenuous 🥾🥾🥾
• Distance: ~29km
• Hiking Time: 8 hrs+ (plus breaks)
• Ascent: ~930m
• Descent: ~921m
• Terrain: Linear route covering hard-packed chalk ridges, steep sandy climbs, and winding woodland tracks.
• Pace: Moderate but moving with intent, with healthy, steady stops at the major summits. We will not stop very often. Please make sure you are comfortable with walking at lengths.
• Hike Leader: Abhi – 📞 07865278687

### What to Bring

• Full kit list – Click Here
• ✅ Hiking boots or sturdy trail shoes with excellent grip
• ✅ Suitable clothing and layers for changing weather
• ✅ Packed lunch, high-energy snacks, and plenty of water
• ✅ Train ticket, contactless card, or travelcard

### Stay Connected

Dates: Sunday Aug 2nd - Saturday Aug 15th 2026

Your Brazilian adventure begins in Salvador, the vibrant coastal city of Afro-Brazilian culture, golden beaches, and colourful colonial streets. From here, a comfortable overnight bus carries you inland to Lençóis once a bustling diamond-mining town and today a charming base at the edge of Chapada Diamantina National Park. After a refreshing swim in natural pools, the afternoon is spent wandering Lençóis’ rustic cobbled streets, soaking in its historic and welcoming atmosphere.
The journey continues with a hike to the 390-metre Fumaça Waterfall, the highest in Brazil. Here, the water drifts into the vast valley below a dramatic preview of the landscapes to come. From Lençóis, a transfer takes you to Guiné, where your multi-day trek begins.
Over five days in the Vale do Pati, often described as Brazil’s secret paradise, you’ll encounter breathtaking scenery at every turn: lush green forests, vast valleys surrounded by dramatic cliffs, mesmerising waterfalls, and a kaleidoscope of exotic flora and fauna.
You’ll descend into Pati Valley, passing waterfalls into its hidden heart. You’ll climb Morro do Castelo (Lapinha Mountain) to reach the impressive Castle Cave, follow rivers and trails to a series of enchanting waterfalls, and trek to the top of Cachoeirão Canyon, where panoramic views stretch across endless plateaus, before returning to Guiné.
Evenings are spent in family home stays sharing hearty Bahian meals and stories under the stars. By the end of the trek, you’ll have immersed yourself in one of Brazil’s most spectacular wildernesses a land of mountains, canyons, rivers, and waterfalls that will leave you with long lasting memories.