Saturday 6 June - Club walk in the Surrey Hills

Photo:www.denbies.co.uk

About the walk

A moderately demanding day walk of around 14km for Club members through the scenic Surrey Hills National Landscape area.  We'll start from 1km north of Dorking then take in Ranmore Common and parts of the North Downs Way. The walk is within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It also takes in the largest vineyard in England by acreage.

Starting point

10.00am meet for 10.30am start, at Denbies Wine Estate by the A24, around 1km north of Dorking town centre. Postcode RH5 6AA. We will start from outside the main entrance. There is an open air café next to the entrance open from 9.00am.

Denbies other facilities including wine shop and partner Surrey Hills Brewery are open until 5.00pm. The leader will navigate but the handiest map of the area is the A-Z “Surrey Hills Adventure Atlas” booklet in 1:25000. OS Explorer 146 also covers the area. 1:50000 maps are insufficiently detailed to be of use.

Route

• Follow footpaths west to Bagden Farm
• Climb south through woodland to Ranmore Common Road
• south to the North Downs Way, taking in extensive views and go west until White Downs
• Descend towards Deerleap Wood
• Follow paths east towards Westcott, then climb north up onto Ranmore Common and traverse the highpoint of the vineyard back to Denbies. 

Total distance approx. 14km, with 200m of height gain, around 4 hours walking time plus lunch & refreshment stops, i.e. finish time back at the car park around 4.00pm.

Food & drink

The refreshment stop will be decided after asking the group, but it’s a choice between a pub in Westcott at about the 10km point, or waiting until we get back to Denbies (or both).

Drinking water & packed lunches are advised.

Travel by public transport

Direct trains to Dorking Main Station run from Victoria (56m) and Waterloo (50m) – about 12 minutes walk north to Denbies. Also trains from Waterloo (48m) to Box Hill & West Humble – about 10 minutes walk to the south.

Car pickup to/from Dorking station could be arranged. See National Rail journey planner.

Travel by car

Use M25 J9 and go south on the A24. It’s Derby day on Epsom downs, so avoid the entire area to the north of M25 J9 !!!!!!. Ample parking at Denbies. If you are early there are facilities including a bikers café serving breakfast, plus toilets at Ryka’s Box Hill (open from 8.00am) on the left off the A24, 1km north of the Denbies exit. 

Overnight stays/dinner

The outing is structured as a day walk with no plans for dinner, so that members can make it a manageable day trip, but those wishing to stay locally could stay at Dorking Travelodge (1km south of Dorking station) and there are other options locally, including a hotel at Denbies itself.

Equipment

We are mostly on good paths, but some loose dirt or mud expected, so hiking boots or good walking shoes are recommended. Walking poles useful - average gradients are gentle, but some short sections are steeper. 

What to do next

Please register your interest by emailing the organiser Greg Clack before 30th May.

If you’re not already a LRNSC  member with Snowsport England Green Tier membership or above, please join before the walk.