Surrey Hills Marathon - 26 miles (42 kilometres)

Today’s Love To Hike is the fourth in the Super Seven series of monthly marathons. It is also the first of two back-to-back marathons over the August Bank Holiday weekend.

The circular 26 miles (42 kilometres) route explores the beautiful Surrey Hills countryside to the south and south west of Dorking. There are 1,110m of climbing making it the hilliest in the Super Seven series.

Highlights include stretches of the Greensand Way, Holmwood Common, Leith Hill, Holmbury Hill, Pitch Hill, Winterfold Hill, Holmbury St. Mary and Friday Street.

Lunch: Picnic

Toilets: There are toilets at Dorking station (but not Dorking Deepdene station) and at pubs in Coldharbour Common and Holmbury St. Mary.

Drivers: Car park at the station.

Price: £18.00 per person for a full day’s hike guided by Giles Brokensha.

Note: The price of the hike excludes transport, parking and lunch.

Mobile for the day: 07916 336702.

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/527954508076020/ - please join.

ROUTE

From the station, we head towards Betchworth Park to cross the golf course and join the Greensand Way for a short stretch heading east. The Greensand Way is a long distance path of 108 miles (174 kilometres) which starts at Haslemere, Surrey and ends at Hamstreet, Kent.

At Brockham, we leave the Greensand way heading south across fields and farmland to arrive at the south eastern corner of Holmwood Common.

We cross Holmwood Common to reach South Holmwood from where we head uphill into Abinger Forest en route to Coldharbour, where there are toilets at The Plough Inn.

From Coldharbour, we head for Leith Hill which at 294 metres is the second highest point in south east England. From Leith Hill, there are glorious panoramic views northwards to London and southwards to the English Channel. At the top of Leith Hill, there is also the famous Gothic tower built in 1766.

We re-join the Greensand Way at Leith Hill for another short stretch this time heading west which we follow to Holmbury Hill, Pitch Hill and Winterfold Hill. After leaving the Greensand Way, we head towards Holmbury St. Mary (toilet stop) followed by the hamlet of Friday Street.

From Friday Street, we snake north easterly to rejoin the Greensand Way at Westcott. We follow the Greensand Way heading north to join Pilgrims' Trail where we turn east. We remain on Pilgrims' Trail back into Dorking to pass Denbies vineyard shortly before arriving back at the station.

LUNCH

Lunch will be a picnic at a suitable place between 12:30-13:00. There will also by a short mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack stop. You are advised to eat little and often throughout the day (i.e. every 60 minutes) and to keep yourself well hydrated at all times. It makes a big difference.

TRAINS

Depart: Leaves London Bridge at 0800 to arrive at Dorking Deepdene (which is next door to Dorking station where there are toilets) at 0835. You must change trains at Redhill (arrive at 0835 to depart at 0843). You can also join the first train at East Croydon (0815).

Return: Return trains to London leave Dorking at 17, 32, 34 and 46 (Dorking Deepdene) minutes past the hour arriving back in London around 60 minutes later depending on the route.

Train fares: The off-peak return fare from London to Dorking Deepdene is £14.10. With GroupSave, the price per person for a group of 3 to 9 is reduced by 34% to only £9.31.

GroupSave: When travelling off-peak in groups of 3 or 9 people, each passenger saves 34%. If you would like to form a group, just post a comment on this site and arrange to meet at London Bridge station by 0745.

DRIVERS

Dorking station is located on the southwards carriage way of the A24 just before the town of Dorking. There is a pay and display car park. Alternatively, you can park for free in Chichester Road which is on the opposite side of the A24 just to the north of the station.

Any driver willing to offer a lift, or any passenger seeking a lift, please post a comment on the site with your location and contact details. Passengers, please remember to offer your chauffeur a contribution towards fuel and parking costs.

WHAT TO BRING

· Hand sanitiser.

· Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots that have been broken-in, ideally with ankle support. No trainers.

· Waterproof jacket: whatever the weather, we hike.

· Water: 3 litres minimum.

· Pre-packed picnic lunch and plenty of snacks: it’s a long hike.

· Day pack.

· Long trousers.

· Sunglasses and sun screen if sunny.

· Waterproof over trousers if rain is expected.

· Dry base layer for the journey home.

· Camera.

PRICE

£18.00 per person payable in advance upon booking for a full day’s hike guided by Giles Brokensha.

BOOKING

To book, click on the ‘Yes’ button just below ‘Are you going?’ in the top right hand corner. You can pay from either your PayPal account or with your debit or credit card.

CANCELLATIONS

When you cancel seven or more days before a Love To Hike, you receive a £18 credit towards any future Love To Hike event.

DISCLAIMER

When participating in any outdoor activity, there is always the risk of injury and death. When hiking with Love To Hike, you acknowledge that:

1. You are fully aware of all of the risks involved and accept full responsibility for whatever may happen to you during or after the hike.
2. You are in good health, ‘fit to hike’ and capable of keeping the pace for the duration of the hike.
3. You shall wear sturdy hiking boots that have been broken-in, are in good condition (not brand new), and clothing that is appropriate for the time of year and any weather conditions that may arise during the hike.
4. You shall not hold responsible, nor pursue any legal, injury or financial compensation claim against Love To Hike and or the hike leader for anything that may happen to you during or after the hike.