Holmwood and Abinger Common

Logistics

• Start: Holmwood station (station code HLM, postcode RH5 4RB)
• Finish: Holmwood station (station code HLM, postcode RH5 4RB)
• Distance: 16.06km
• Total ascent: 454m
• Naismith time: 3h 59m
• London terminus: Victoria (no Sunday service: instead, bus every two hours from Dorking)
• Ticketing: Day return to Holmwood (Dorking on Sundays for onward bus)
• Intermediate transport: none
• Facilities: Café at Leith Hill Tower (4.24km); pub at Abinger Common (8.30km); pub and convenience shop at Coldharbour (13.37km)

Description

This walk has no real truncation options, except to turn for home at Coldharbour and miss all the forest, and has a fair amount of ascent. But it is glorious — and is largely tree-clad — and there are only two major climbs. The first is to Leith Hill, childhood home of Ralph Vaughan Williams and the summit of Surrey; the second is an ascent of the valley to Coldharbour. Be sure to carry water, and emergency food supplies, on this walk. The woodland is a delight at any time of the year, though in winter, you will need to be sure to set out early, to be back at Holmwood before the heat of the day is switched off at 2pm.

Downloads

• Full details, including directions
• Map

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