Looking for fresh air, peaceful scenery and some headspace? Look no further with this selection of the best Surrey Hills walks. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and England’s most wooded county with its iconic rolling peaks, and outstanding views, the Surrey Hills is a perfect place to explore on foot. Whether you’re a hardened hiker or a leisurely stroller looking for some challenging climb, the Surrey Hills has something to offer everyone. So lace up your walking boots and let’s get going!
En bref
In a hurry? No problem! Check the table below for the key data on the Best Surrey Hills walks. I go into more detail for each walk in this article. You find the GPS maps of the walks at the end of this post.
| Distance | Montée totale | Temps de marche | Difficulté | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Box Hill | 7.4 miles (12 km) | 1063 ft (324 m) | 3 hours 30 min | Défi |
| Silent Pools | 11.5 miles (18.5 km) | 1145 ft (349 m) | 4 heures | Intermédiaire/ difficile |
| Le bol à punch du diable | 11.62 miles (18.7 km) | 814 ft (248 m) | 4 heures 45 minutes | Intermédiaire |
| Winkworth Arboretum | 9.85 miles (15.85 km) | 820 ft (250 m) | 4 heures | Intermédiaire |
| Farnham Circular | 12 miles (19km) | 328 ft (100 m) | 4 heures 30 minutes | Intermédiaire |
| Gomshall to Dorking | 15.8 mi (25.4 km) | 748 ft (228 m) | 6 hours 40 min | Défi |
| Guildford Circular | 13.4 miles (21.7km) | 1243 ft (379 m) | 5 heures 45 minutes | Défi |
What are the Surrey Hills
The Surrey Hills designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, stretches across 422 km2 (163 sq mi) from Farnham on the West to Oxted on the East. Mainly composed of chalk hills, the Surrey Hills area also covers the Greensand Ridge, an escarpment formed of sandstone and woods.
The hills cover a quarter of the county of Surrey, the highest one being Leith Hill, rising at 294 metres (965 ft) above sea level. And if you wanted to get even higher you can climb the 78 steps of Leith Hill Tower!
The Surrey Hills is an area rich in history and folklore legends. For hikers, which I am sure you are, the site offers plenty of options for walks with a vast web of pathways and bridleways. You find famous national trails passing through the Surrey Hills such as the North Downs Way, the Greensand Way et le Pilgrim Way.
Contenu connexe : Difference Between Footpath and Bridleway
You also find waterways such as the River Wey, the River Tillingbourne, the River Mole and last but not least the well-known spring of the Silent Pools.
Bonne découverte !
The Best Surrey Hills Walks
So now we covered the basics, let’s get the selection of the best walks in the Surrey Hills.
1 – Box Hill
Box Hill walk is by far the most strenuous and demanding hike of this Walks in the Surrey Hills selection. With 3 hills to climb and a total ascent of 1063 ft (324 m), you are in for a challenge. But you are rewarded by the impressive views when on get to the top! This is a walk that is really worth the effort.
Lire le guide complet ici.
Logistics of the Box Hill Walk
- Distance: 7.4 miles (12 km)
- Montée: 1063 ft (324 m)
- Point culminant : 587 ft (179 m)
- Point le plus bas: 112 ft (34 m)
- Estimation de la marche : 3 hours and 30 minutes
- Difficulté: Un défi à relever
- Comment s'y rendre:
- Direct trains from London Waterloo to Box Hill & Westhumble Station. The journey takes 90 minutes.
- Il s'agit d'une promenade circulaire, vous pouvez donc réserver un billet aller-retour à la journée.
- Ce qu'il faut emporter :
- Des vêtements et des chaussures confortables. Vous monterez et descendrez des collines escarpées, il est donc fortement recommandé d'utiliser des chaussures de marche ou des bottes.
- Sac à dos
- Déjeuner à emporter et collations
- Vêtements de pluie si vous partez un jour de pluie
- Couvre-chef, crème solaire et lunettes de soleil si vous partez par temps clair
- Les bâtons de randonnée sont conseillés
- Informations complémentaires
- There are public toilets at the Box Hill National Trust cafe
- There are visitors toilets at Denbies Wine Estate
- Il s'agit d'une promenade sans marches
- Où manger et boire :
- National Trust Box Hill, Surrey
- Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, Surrey
- The Stepping Stone, Westhumble, Surrey
Highlights of the Box Hill Walk
- Westhumble Village
- Norbury Park
- Mickelham Village
- Broadwoods Folly
- Box Hill
- Salomons Memorial
- Box Hill Stepping Stones
- Denbies Wine Estate
2 – The Silent Pools
Do you want to mix hiking and taking a dip? This is the walk for you then! This circular walk from and to Guilford takes you to the scenic Silent Pools, a natural spring source. The water is crystal clear thanks to the presence of chalk in the spring, making it an ideal spot for wild swimming. Cherry on top? The water from the spring is used for manufacturing gin, and the distillery is right behind the pools. A G&T, please!
Lire le guide complet ici.
Logistics of the Silent Pool Walk
- Distance: 11.5 miles (18.5 km)
- Montée totale: 1145 ft (349 m)
- Point culminant : 610 ft (196 m)
- Point le plus bas: 98 ft (30 m)
- Estimation de la marche: 5 hours
- Difficulté: Intermediate/ Challenging
- Comment s'y rendre:
- Direct trains from Waterloo Station to Guildford. It is a circular walk so you can take a day return ticket to Guilford
- By car from London to Guildford Station
- Ce qu'il faut emporter :
- Vêtements et chaussures confortables
- Sac à dos
- Packed lunch & snacks
- Water (at least 2 litres recommended)
- Hiking poles recommended due to the terrain
- Swimwear and a quick dry towel if you are planning to take a dip in the silent pool
- Informations complémentaires
- There are public toilets available at Newlands Corner and customer toilets at Pool Bar by the Silent Pool
- There is a coffee shop in Newlands Corner in case you do not want to bring a packed lunch
- Où manger et boire :
- The Pool Bar, Albury, Surrey
- Le Britannia, Guildford, Surrey
Highlights of the Silent Pool Walk
- Guilford Castle
- St Martha’s Church
- Newlands Corner
- The Optohedron Sculpture
- Silent Pool
- The River Wey
3 – Devil’s Punch Bowl
Once upon a time, the Devil himself was digging in Sussex to flood the region and its churches. But as dawn was approaching, the Devil got scared to be discovered and jumped into Surrey, creating the Devil’s Punch Bowl where he landed.
You don’t believe me? Go and check it by yourself with this walk taking you to the National Trust site of the Devil’s Punch Bowl.
Lire le guide complet ici.
Video: Watch this short video to learn more about the legend behind the Devil’s Punch Bowl
Logistics of the Devil’s Punch Bowl Walk
- Distance: 11.62 miles (18.7 km)
- Montée totale: 814 feet (248 m)
- Point culminant : 883 ft (270 m)
- Point le plus bas: 144 ft (44 m)
- Estimation de la marche: 4 heures et 45 minutes
- Difficulté: Intermédiaire
- Comment s'y rendre:
- Direct trains from Waterloo to Milford. The journey takes 1 hour.
- For the return take a direct train from Haslemere to Waterloo. The journey takes 1 hour and 10 minutes.
- Milford and Haslemere are on the same line so you can book an anytime day return to Haslemere and get off at Milford.
- For those who prefer to drive, please note that this is a linear walk. Therefore, you would need to take the train back from Haslemere to Milford for 2 stops. Moreover, the train only stops at Milford if it is not a fast train to Waterloo, which might be an inconvenience.
- Ce qu'il faut emporter :
- Des vêtements et des chaussures confortables,
- Gaiters, gaiters, gaiters (did I say gaiters?) as the path can get extremely muddy after a few days of rain
- Trekking poles for the climb are advisable. You can also use them to assess how deep the mud puddles are.
- Headcover as it gets windy at the top of the hill
- Snack & packed lunch
- Money for the stop at the National Trust Coffee Shop and the pub at the end.
- Informations complémentaires
- There are public toilets at the National Trust Devil’s Punch Bowl site
- There is a coffee shop at the National Trust Site in case you do not want to bring a packed lunch
- Où manger et boire :
- National Trust Cafe, Hindhead, Surrey
- L'auberge du Cygne, Haslemere, Surrey
Highlights of the Devil’s Punch Bowl Walk
- Milford
- Thursley
- The Unknown Sailor Memorial
- Gibbet Hill
- Le bol à punch du diable
- Haslemere
- The Swan Hill Pub
4 – Winkworth Arboretum
This is a walk better done in Autumn. During this season the trees at the Winkworth Arboretum are painted in beautiful red, yellow and orange shades, reflecting on the water of the lake. Don’t miss this kaleidoscopic show of colours for grown-ups and kids alike with this walk taking through villages and the town of Godalming.
Lire le guide complet ici.
Logistics of the Winkworth Arboretum Walk
- Distance : 9.85 miles (15.85 km)
- Montée totale: 820 ft (250 m)
- Point culminant : 545 ft (116 m)
- Point le plus bas: 118 ft (36 m)
- Estimation de la marche: 4 hours
- Difficulté: Intermédiaire
- Comment s'y rendre:
- Train from London Waterloo to Witley. It takes 1 hour by direct train.
- For the return, take a direct train from Godalming to Waterloo. The journey takes just under 1 hour.
- The inbound and outbound journeys are on the same train line so you can book a day return ticket.
- Please note that there is a train approximately every 20 minutes on Saturdays and twice per hour on Sundays.
- Ce qu'il faut emporter :
- Chaussures et vêtements confortables
- Gaiters as the path can be really muddy during the Autumn season
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and head cover, if you are going on a bright day as some parts of the hike, are exposed
- Vêtements de pluie si vous partez un jour de pluie
- Eau (au moins 2 litres recommandés),
- Snacks, lunch and money for a coffee at the Winkworth Arboretum and the pub at the end
- Informations complémentaires
- Public toilets are available at the Winkworth Arboretum
- Où manger et boire :
- Arbor Tea Room, Winkowrth Arboretum, Surrey
- The Star Inn, Godalming, Surrey
Highlights of the Winkworth Arboretum Walk
- Witley
- Hambledon
- Winkworth Arboretum
- Godalming
- The Star Pub and its amazing Halloween Decoration
5 – Farnham Circular
Take a walk down history lane with this lovely circular walk from and to Farnham. Starting at the site of the Battle of Moor Park, passing in front of white witch Mother Ludlam’s cave, wandering through the ruins of Waverley Abbey and end ending at the exact spot where the opening scene of the movie Gladiator was filmed, this walk takes you places. Ready for a history class?
Lire le guide complet ici.
Logistics of the Farnham Circular Walk
- Distance: 12 miles (19km)
- Total Montée: 328 ft (100 m)
- Point culminant: 358 ft (110 m)
- Point le plus bas: 164 ft (50 m)
- Estimation de la marche: 4 heures et demie
- Difficulté: Intermédiaire
- Comment s'y rendre:
- Trains from London Waterloo. It takes approximately 1 hour
- Il s'agit d'une promenade circulaire, vous pouvez donc réserver un billet aller-retour à la journée.
- Ce qu'il faut emporter :
- Chaussures et vêtements confortables
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and head cover, if you are going on a bright day
- Vêtements de pluie si vous partez un jour de pluie
- Eau (au moins 2 litres recommandés),
- Snacks & packed lunch if you are not planning on stopping at the pub for lunch
- Informations complémentaires
- Il n'y a pas de toilettes publiques sur cette promenade
- Customer Toilets are available at the Barley Mow Pub in Tilford
- Où manger et boire :
- The Barley Mow, Tilford, Surrey
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
6 – Gomshall to Dorking
Do you like The Holidays? I mean the movie starring Jude Law and Cameron Diaz (not the actual time off work). Well if the answer is yes, you would live this walk from Gomshall to Dorking passing by the quintessence of the traditional English village, Shere, where the movie was shot. Shall we go on a holiday to the Surrey Hills then?
Lire le guide complet ici.
Logistics of the Gomshall to Dorking Walk
- Distance: 15.8 mi (25.4 km)
- Total Montée: 748 ft (228 m)
- Point culminant: 719 ft (219 m)
- Point le plus bas: 167 ft (51 m)
- Estimation de la marche : 6 hours and 40 minutes
- Difficulté: Un défi à relever
- Comment s'y rendre:
- Train from London Waterloo to Guildford and change Guildford for a train to Gomshall. The journey takes around 1 hour depending on the waiting time at Guildford.
- Alternatively, you can also take a train from London Blackfriars to Redhill and change at Redhill for a train to Gomshall. The journey takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes depending on the waiting time in Redhill
- For the return take a direct train from Dorking Main to London Waterloo. The journey takes 55 minutes. Direct train from Dorking to London Victoria takes 1 hour.
- Gomshall and Dorking are served by different train operators, therefore you would need to book 2 separate journeys
- Ce qu'il faut emporter :
- Chaussures et vêtements confortables
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and head cover, if the sun is out as the path is quite exposed
- Rain gear if the clouds are out for the same reason as above
- Eau (au moins 2 litres recommandés),
- Snacks & packed lunch if you are not planning on having lunch at the cafe in Newlands Corner
- Money for the farm and gift shop at Denbies Wine Estate
- Informations complémentaires
- There are public toilets at Newlands Corner
- Visitors toilets are available at Denbies Wine Estate
- Où manger et boire :
- Newlands Corner Cafe, Albury, Surrey
- Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, Surrey
Highlights of the Gomshall to Dorking Walk
- North Downs
- Shere village
- St Peter & St Paul Church, Albury
- Newlands Corner
- Denbies Wine Estate
- St Barnabas Church
- Dorking
7 – Guildford Circular
We end our rundown of the best walks in the Surrey Hills with the jewel of the region, Guildford. Starting and finishing in the medieval market town, take the time to wander on the High Street passing by the Guildford Guildhall or even venture around the ruins of the Castle. Leave the town centre and explore the surrounding hilly countryside from St Marta Hills to the Chilworth Gunpowder Factory before heading back to the city for a well-deserved drink.
Bon appétit !
Lire le guide complet ici.
Logistics of the Guilford Circular Walk
- Distance: 13.4 miles (21.7km)
- Total Montée: 1243 ft (379 m)
- Point culminant: 564 ft (172 m)
- Point le plus bas: 98 ft (30 m)
- Estimation de la marche: 5 heures 45 minutes
- Difficulté: Intermédiaire
- Comment s'y rendre:
- Train direct de Londres Waterloo à Guildford. Le trajet dure 45 minutes
- Il s'agit d'une promenade circulaire, vous pouvez donc réserver un billet aller-retour à la journée.
- Ce qu'il faut emporter :
- Chaussures et vêtements confortables
- Crème solaire, lunettes de soleil et couvre-chef par temps ensoleillé, car le sentier est assez exposé.
- Vêtements de pluie en cas de pluie, pour les mêmes raisons que celles évoquées ci-dessus.
- Eau (au moins 2 litres recommandés),
- Collations et panier-repas
- De l'argent pour le pub à la fin
- Informations complémentaires
- Il n'y a pas de toilettes publiques sur cette promenade
- Où manger et boire :
- Le Britannia, Guildford, Surrey
Highlights of the Guildford Circular Walk
- Guildford
- Colline Sainte-Marthe
- Blackheath
- Usine de poudre à canon de Chilworth
- Ferme Lama
Maps of the Best Surrey Hills Walks
Do you want to do these walks? Simply download the GPS maps by clicking on the link below the images. If you need assistance uploading the maps onto your navigation app, follow my step-by-step guide ici.
Final thoughts
Final Thoughts on the Best Surrey Hills Walks
After exploring the best walks in the Surrey Hills, we can confidently say that there are plenty of options for anyone who wants to enjoy the idyllic scenery of the region.
With the right attitude and the right walking companion, you’ll discover something unexpected and unique that will remind you why the Surrey Hills are so special. So get out there and don’t forget to take lots of photos to capture the memories! So get outdoors and hit the trails – you won’t regret it!
And if you are looking for more trail ideas, why not check the Best Coastal Walks near London or the selection of the Best South Downs Walks?
And you, what is your favourite Surrey Hills walk? Let me know in the comments below.
Vous aimez ces promenades ? Épinglez-les !
[…] Related Content: Best Surrey Hills Walks […]