Hilly Woldingham and East Surrey Circular Hike - 17km / 11miles, 440m ascent

GRADE: Intermediate; 17km / 11 miles and hilly – 440m / 1450 feet of ascent

This scenic circular route takes us through miles of peaceful, hilly countryside lying within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and high on the North Downs, mostly within the civil parish of Woldingham and with a short incursion into the neighbouring Chelsham and Farleigh, in the beautiful county of Surrey.

ROUTE:
From Woldingham Station, the path takes us south, gradually ascending as we cross fields and woodland until we reach the North Downs Way, a long-distance National Trail spanning over 153 miles / 246km from Farnham in Surrey to Dover in Kent. From here, the route takes us downhill and eastwards, providing sweeping views over the countryside intersected by the M25 and the pretty town of Oxted lying at the foot of the North Downs ridge.

We soon leave the North Downs Way behind to begin the second ascent, following another long-distance route, the Vanguard Way, which connects East Croydon in Outer London with Newhaven on the south coast over 112km, or 66 miles, of its route. The Vanguard Way takes us north and then north-west, and also up and down some more blood-pumping , appetite-whetting hills.

After about 11 kilometres, we arrive at a countryside pub in Chelsham where we stop for our well-deserved lunch and rest.

Refreshed and filled with new energy, we then follow bridleways that take us past the Halliloo Plantation, a fairy-tale-like landscape of hard to match beauty. The hike ends at Woldingham Station.

COST: £10 organiser fee paid on RSVP

MEETING POINT and TIME: Woldingham Station, 09:56am

HIKE STARTS: 10:00am from Woldingham Station

TRAINS: 09:20am from London Victoria arriving at Woldingham at 09:56am, journey time 36 minutes. You can also join this train at Clapham Junction at 09:27 or East Croydon at 09:40am.
Return ticket from London Victoria to Woldingham is £13.70, or £9.10 with Network Railcard (£30 a year, 1/3 off most rail fares for you and additional 3 adults or 4 kids) or with Group Saver (3 – 9 people travelling together)

RETURN: on Saturday 26 April, Trains to London Victoria leave Woldingham at 29 and 59 minutes past the hour and take 33 minutes.

LUNCH: Packed lunch, picnic – please bring your lunch, a few snacks and around 2l of water/tea (for the hike and your return journey).

HIKE FINISHES: approximately 16:00 at Woldingham Station. Finish times depend on pace of the group on the day, which is influenced by a number of variable factors. This is a rough estimate, not a guarantee. Consider yourself committed for the day.

HIKE LEADER: Eliza 07990 489040
What to bring: lunch, snacks, water, suitable clothing and hiking footwear. Click here for recommended kit list:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FLjSAczjgbZ26OKE4Iy_zX2IFqkybdXCmK9AkVfqI1w/edit?usp=sharing

Terms and conditions:
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Refund policy:
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