Temple of the Winds Surrey Sussex Borders Explorer - 16 miles (26 kilometres)
Details
Today’s Love To Hike is a circular 16 miles (26 kilometres) route that starts and finishes in Haslemere. It explores the countryside to the south of Haslemere including a section of the Sussex Border Path and the beautiful woodlands and heathland of Black Down Hills.
The highlight of the route is the Temple of the Winds, named after a Bronze Age circular bank. This little known spot has one of the best views looking south across the South Downs National Park. And at this time of year, the autumn colours will be at their best.
There are 600m of climbing.
Lunch: Picnic.
Toilets: There are toilets at the station.
Drivers: Haslemere station is located on the B2131 between Haslemere and Liphook.
Price: £12 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 south west towards Marley Common where we join the Sussex Border Path which we follow all the way to Black Down.
Black Down is a landscape of wavy hair grass, purple heather, and pine trees, where you get a true sense of 'wild'. It is also the highest part of the South Downs National Park.
Once on Black Down, we make our way to the Temple of the Winds which is 270m above sea level.
The views have inspired many for generations including the famous eighteen century Poet Laureate, Lord Alfred Tennyson: ‘You came and looked and loved the view, long known and loved by me, Green Sussex fading into blue with one grey glimpse of sea.’
From the Temple of the Winds, we turn west and begin a large clockwise loop that eventually takes us back almost to Marley Common via Shalford Copse, Cognor Wood, Golden Valley, Stanley Common, and Lynchmore Common. Once close to Marley Common, we turn north as we make our way back to the station.
LUNCH
Lunch will be a picnic at a suitable spot between 1230-1300.
TRAINS
Depart: London Waterloo at 0830 and arrives in Haslemere at 0920. You can also join this train at Woking (0854) and Guildford (0902).
Return: Return trains to London leave Haslemere at 01, 10, and 30 minutes past the hour and take between 51 and 64 minutes depending on the number of stops.
Train fare: The off-peak return fare from London Waterloo to Haslemere is £27.10. With GroupSave, the price per person for a group of 3 to 9 is reduced by 34% to only £17.89.
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 under the clock tower at London Waterloo by 0815.
DRIVERS
Haslemere station is located on the B2131 between Haslemere and Liphook.
WHAT TO BRING
· Hand sanitiser.
· Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots that have been broken-in, ideally with ankle support. No trainers.
· Waterproof jacket.
· Water: 2 litres minimum.
· Pre-packed picnic lunch and snacks (it’s a long hike after all).
· Day pack.
· Zip-off trousers.
· Sunglasses if sunny.
· Gaiters or waterproof over trousers if rain is expected.
PRICE
£12 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 £12 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:
- 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.
- You are in good health, ‘fit to hike’ and capable of keeping the pace for the duration of the hike.
- 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.
- 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.