“It is the most wonderful time of the year” … Well, right now it is the “scariest” time of the year, and to get in the mood for the 31st October celebrations, I have selected for you three spooky Halloween trails accessible for London. From pumpkins market to a haunted village and a witch cave, will you dare hike them?
If there is something I was not expecting when I started hiking, is that comes to October you can see Halloween hikes being advertised online or some of the most popular trails are having a makeover to match the time of the year.
I have selected 4 hikes that are perfect to get into the spirit of Halloween. Enjoy it with your friends or family, but don’t go there alone …
At a Glance
In a hurry? Don’t worry here is a summary of the three spooky Halloween trails to hike near London.
| Region | Distance | Time | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eynsford | Kent | 3,4 mi (5.6 km) | 1 hour 45 min | Easy/ Casual |
| Pluckley | Kent | 11 mi (19 km) | 5 hours | Intermediate |
| Farnham | Surrey | 12 mi (19 km) | 4 hours 30 min | Easy/ Beginners |
| Sussex Hills | Sussex | 12.24 mi (20 km) | 4 hours 30 min | Intermediate |
Trail 1: Shoreham to Eynsford
Best for Halloween Shopping
Logistic For the Shoreham to Eynsford Walk
You start the walk at Shoreham, Kent, located in the Darent valley. I would recommend that you start with a coffee (or a drink) at the King’s Arms.
- Distance: 3.4 miles (5.6 km)
- Ascent: 38 m
- Walking Estimate: 1 hour and 45 minutes + shopping time at the farm shop
- Difficulty: Easy, Casual
- How to get there: Train from London Blackfriars to Shoreham. It takes 1 hour by direct train. Alternatively, if you want to do it the other way around and start at Eynsford you can find direct trains from either London Victoria or London Bridge and it takes 45 minutes.
- What to bring with you: A good pair of walking shoes. The walk is short but the path can get muddy at this time of the year, warm and comfortable clothing and rain protection, water (1L recommended for a 2-hour walk and money.
Highlights of the Shoreham to Eynsford Walk
- Spooky Eynsford decoration
- Eynsford ford
- Eynsford Viaduct
- Castle Farm Shop and pumpkin Market
- Lullingstone Castle
- Darent River
- Drink(s) or coffee at the Kings Arms in Shoreham
- Sunday roast at the Castle Inn in Eynsford
The walks take you from riverside to fields and as you approach the Castle Farm Shop, you can start seeing pumpkins in the fields. Continue walking and you would find the Castle Farm Shop, all looking very Halloweeny.
The yard at the front of the shop has been changed into a pumpkins market, where you can find all sorts, sizes, shapes, and colours (yes colours) of pumpkins. From the small ones you can use to make soup to the giant ones for carving, whatever you are into, you would find it here!
Put your face covering on and dare enter the farmer’s shop. At the entrance all orange and black you would find a display of all sorts of Halloween must-haves: from decorative pumpkin candle holders to sweets and chocolates, passing by fancy dress accessories, it is the perfect (and not expected stop) for a bit of Halloween-themed shopping.
After the farmer shop, make your way to Eynsford village where you come face to face with Royal Mail Halloween decorations (hope your mails don’t get missing). My recommendation is to get a comforting Sunday roast at the Castle Inn after the shopping spree. With a selection of meat and veggie roast, coming in 4 different sizes, including kids, it is the perfect place for a family lunch.
Want to go pumpkin shopping? Download the map here:
Trail 2: Pluckley Loop
Best for Ghosts hunters
Logistics for the Pluckley Loop
- Distance: 11 miles (19 km)
- Ascent: 159 m
- Walking Estimate: 5 hours
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- How to get there: Train from Charing Cross to Pluckley. The journey takes 1 hour and 10 minutes by direct train. Please note there is only one direct train per hour.
- What to pack: Comfortable clothing, hiking boots or hiking shoes, gaiters as the path might be muddy in this season, rain gear such as a waterproof jacket and over trousers, water (2L recommended), head cover, money, packed lunch, and snacks.
Highlights of the Pluckley Loop
- The haunted Pluckley village and its streets famous for ghost sightings
- Bethersden village
- Buss Farm
- Dering Wood famous for its paranormal activities
- The haunted St Nichola’s Church
The village of Pluckley, Kent, made a name for itself when it entered the Guinness Book of Records in 1989 as the “most haunted village in Britain“. Pluckley attracts many ghost hunters and thrill lovers. Among the most famous and recurring ghost sightings, you would find:
- The Red Lady, Lady Dering, who died in the twelfth century whose ghost has been witnessed roaming in the churchyard
- Susan Richardson, a gipsy woman who died in mysterious circumstances
- A schoolmaster whose ghost has been reported being hanging from a tree
All the ghosts have been spotted within a few feet of each other, by a crossroad rebranded “Fright Corner“.
Not far from the village you can find Dering Wood also called Screaming Woods. It is said, (but not proven), that 4 students went missing in these woods in 1996. The woods own their name to the report of screams that have been heard coming from deep in the forest.
End the walk at the Dering Arms pub. Formerly a hunting lodge, it is now an acclaimed pub for its seafood dishes. And of course, as it is based in Pluckley, it is said to be haunted.
Looking for a fright? Download the map here:
Trail 3: Farnham Circular
Best for Witches
Logistics for the Farnham circular walk
- Distance: 12 miles (19km)
- Ascent: 270 meters
- Walking estimate: 4 hours and a half to 5 hours
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- How to get there: Trains from London Waterloo. It takes approximately 1 hour
- What to pack: Comfortable clothing and footwear, water (2 litres recommended), gaiters as the path can be muddy, especially along the river, rain gear such as a rain jacket and over trousers, head cover, packed lunch and snacks
Highlights of the Farnham circular walk
- Farnham
- Moor Park
- Mother Ludlam’s Witch Cave
- Waverley Abbey
- Tilford village
- 800-year-old oak tree
- Bourne Woods
The trail starts at the ancient market town of Farnham, Surrey. After a short walk, you come face to face with Mother Ludlam’s Cave, also known as the “Witch Cave“. Many legends emerged over the years about Mother Ludlam, the most famous of which is dated from 1937. It says that the Devil, in disguise, tried to borrow a cauldron from Mother Ludlam, a good witch living in a cave. She recognized him, therefore he stole the cauldron and in his escape created a series of hills with his footprints, known as the “Devil’s Jump“. He ended up dropping the cauldron on the last hill, now called “Kettle Bury“. To keep the cauldron safe from the Devil, Mother Ludlam took it to Frensham Church, where it remains.
As you continue the walk, you arrive at the ruins of Waverley Abbey, demolished in 1536 after King Henry VIII’s orders. The walks end in Bourne Wood, a famous film location, featuring in the opening scene of the Hollywood blockbuster Gladiator and most recently in season 2 of the Netflix production, The Witcher. That’s the perfect show for Halloween!
Read the full hike description here.
Wants to meet a witch and a Witcher? Download the map here:
Trail 4: The Haunted Hills of Sussex
Best for Devil
Logistics for the Haunted Hills of Sussex Walk
- Distance: 12.24 miles (20.00 km)
- Ascent: 1204 feet (367 meters)
- Walking Estimate: 4 hours and 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- How to get there: Direct trains from London Bridge to Worthing. The journey takes 1 hour and 20 minutes. The tickets are quite expensive so the trick is to book two journeys: London Bridge to Preston Park and then Preston Park to Worthing. Preston Park is on the same train line so you don’t need to get off the train and change, but splitting your train booking in two will save you money (depending on the price on the day you want to go, but it is worth checking if it makes a difference). For the return, take the direct train from Lancing to London Bridge. No need to split your journey for the return the train tickets are more affordable. The journey takes 1 hour and 15 minutes. Lancing and Worthing are not on the same train line so you cannot book an anytime day return.
- What to bring: Gaiters, gaiters, gaiters, waterproofs, waterproofs, waterproofs (ok I am being annoying here but you get the idea). If the weather has not been on the bright side make sure you pack all your rain gear with you and a pair of gaiters as the path can get extremely muddy. Additionally, wear comfortable clothing and footwear, bring water (2L minimum recommended), snacks, packed lunch, head cover, sunscreen and sunglasses if the sun is out, and money for the pub at the end.
- Additional Information: There are no public toilets on this hike
Highlights of the Haunted Hills of Sussex Walk
- Worthing
- Cissbury Ring
- Chanctonbury Ring
- South Down Ways
- Steyning Bowl
- Lancing Ring
- Lancing
This final walk of the Spooky Halloween Trails rundown takes you through the Cissbury Ring and Chanctonbury Ring, the haunted hills of Sussex. So why are they haunted?
Well for a start, both Cissbury and Chanctonbury hills were created by the Devil himself. As he became jealous of the number of churches being built in Sussex, the Devil decided to flood the region. He started digging what is known nowadays as the Devil’s Dyke, throwing clods of earth on both sides, which became the two hills we are climbing in this walk.
Cissbury is at the centre of many legends and folklore. People have reported seeing fairy dancing, some say that there is a treasure buried protected by serpents and finally, sightings of the ghost of a highwayman who was executed on the hill have been reported.
As for Chanctonbury Ring, it is believed that you can summon the Devil himself there. All you need to do for the Devil to make an appearance is turn anti-clockwise seven times around a bush. He will then offer you to trade your soul for a bowl of soup. Deal?
Read the full hike description here.
Do you want to summon the Devil? Download the map here.
Final Thoughts on Spooky Halloween Trails
Whether you are just looking for a Halloween spirit day out with the family or for some thrills with your friends, these spooky Halloween trails are what you need. From ghosts to witches or simply pumpkin shopping, get into the spirit of the scariest night of the year!
Scared to get lost?
Halloween is not the right day (or night) to get lost on the trails. To ensure you make it back home safely and in one piece, download the map of the hike. All maps are in GPX format. To know how to upload them on your navigation app, follow my step-by-step guide here.
What is your spooky Halloween trail? Let me know in the comments below.
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