The Devil's Punch Bowl & Grayswood Surrey Explorer - 17 miles (27 kilometres)

Today's Love To Hike Plus is another of the faster-paced Love To Hikes for those who prefer to hike 15% faster than the normal Love To Hike pace, and consequently finishes at least one hour earlier.

The circular 17 miles (27 kilometres) route starts and finishes in Haslemere, Surrey. It explores the glorious countryside and woodlands around the village of Grayswood and to the north of the Haslemere. It includes Grayswood Common, Hindhead Common, sections of the Greensand Way, the spectacularly beautiful Devil’s Punch Bowl (a large wooded natural amphitheatre), and Gibbett Hill, the second highest point in Surrey.

There are 835m of climbing.

Lunch: Picnic.

Toilets: There are toilets at Haslemere station and the National Trust Visitor Centre.

Drivers: Haslemere station is located on the B2131 between Haslemere and Liphook.

Price: £12.00 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/

ROUTE

From the station, we head east and onto the Serpent Trail which leads us into the woods heading north east. When we come to two ponds, we begin an anti-clockwise loop of Frillinghurst Wood which takes to the east of Grayswood and back to the ponds.

From the ponds, we head west to Grayswood Common before crossing the railway line. Heading north, we arrive at Hurthill Copse and then Boundless Copse. Shortly afterward, we turn west to cross over to Hindhead Common and onto the eastern rim of the Devil's Punch Bowl.

We head north and gently downhill along the Greensand Way, a long distance path which starts in Haslemere and ends at Hamstreet, Kent.
We pass Highcombe Farm and at Little Cowdray Farm, we turn west. Shortly afterwards, we cross a picturesque stream that flows serenely through the woods.

At Ridgeway Farm, we turn south and begin climbing gently uphill into Vanhurst Copse and Highcomb Copse. We follow the western rim of the Devil's Punch Bowl to arrive at the National Trust visitor centre, where there are toilets and a cafe.

From here, we head eastwards and onto Gibbett Hill, the second highest point in Surrey, which has glorious panoramic views.

Gibbett Hill was once a dangerous area due to highwaymen and thieves. The hill takes its name from a gibbet, a gallows-type structure, from which the bodies of executed criminals were hung to deter other would-be criminals.

From Gibbett Hill, we follow the Greensand Way downhill and back to Haslemere 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 (0855) and Guildford (0903).

Return: Return trains to London Waterloo leave Haslemere at 00, 32 and 37 and take an hour.

Train fare: The off-peak return fare from London Waterloo to Haslemere is £28.40. With GroupSave, the price per person for a group of 3 to 9 is reduced by 34% to only £18.74.

GroupSave: If you would like to form a group, please post a comment on this site and arrange to meet safely 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 is a long hike after all

· Day pack

· Zip-off trousers

· Sunglasses if sunny

· Hat and gloves if cold

· Gaiters or waterproof over trousers if rain is expected

PRICE

£12.00 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 £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:

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.