Want a 3 Peaks challenge without the carbon footprint? Nike Werstroh recommends her local Surrey Three Peaks – a long day through rolling hills by train.
The rolling hills in Surrey might not be known for demanding terrain, but by tackling the most prominent hills in one day, you can have your very own three peaks challenge less than an hour from London. The Surrey Three Peaks Challenge takes place once or twice a year, but the network of trails and public footpaths will provide plenty of options for you to create your own route that includes these iconic hills.
The route described makes use of a section of the North Downs Way (NDW), Leith Hill Green Way as well as a section of the Greensand Way and various public footpaths and bridleways. It starts from Westhumble train station and takes you first to Box Hill and then continues to Leith Hill, where the 18th-century tower marks the highest point in the Surrey Hills. The third peak, Holmbury Hill not only offers some fine views, but it is also the site of an Iron Age fort. You can choose an alternative starting point along the circular route if you have your own transport.
Surrey Three Peaks: route guide
Start/finish: Box Hill & Westhumble Train Station (GR: TQ 167 518) | Distance: 35km/21.7miles | Time: 9-10hr | Total ascent: 1030 m/3379ft | Maps: OS Explorer 146
1. TQ 167 518: From Westhumble Station follow Westhumble Street and take the underpass under A24. Keep left and then go right uphill on the path opposite to Rykas café and car park. Climb steadily with some views towards the vineyard. When the chalky path splits keep slightly left. Go right after the fort and passing a café and car park, make your way to Salomon’s Memorial.
Stepping Stones below Box Hilll. Credit: Nike Werstroh
2. TQ 179 511: Enjoy the fine views and descend on the North Downs Way (NDW) through woodland. Cross the River Mole on stepping stones (if the water level is too high, take the bridge nearby). Continue on the NDW, cross the busy A24 road (it might be safer to make the detour to the underpass) then follow the NDW that rises alongside the vineyard and then bends left on a sealed road through woodland. Before long, views open up towards the Denbies Wine Estate with Box Hill in the background.
Alternative crossing over River Mole. Credit: Nike Werstroh
3. TQ 151 505: Come to a junction with signpost (you will return to this junction from the right). Leaving the NDW go left downhill alongside a fence. This path leads down to a junction, where keep right on the Leith Hill Green Way that you will follow for about an hour. At first through woodland, and the path then curves left and drops down to Landbarn farm. Pass under the railway and follow a tarmac lane passing some cottages. Cross Coast Hill Road and keep left.
Box Hill is home for common spotted orchids. Credit: Nike Werstroh
4. TQ 134 483: Go right on Rookery Drive, where you join the Greensand Way. Take the path on the left after the mill and at a junction, bear right on the Greensand Way. Walk along the track and then a tarmac lane that passes Tillingbourne Waterfall. The Greensand Way will lead you through forest to Leith Hill (alt.295m) with the tower that marks the highest point in the Surrey Hills.
Tillingbourne Waterfall. Credit: Nike Werstroh
5. TQ 139 431: From Leith Hill Tower follow the Greensand Way that drops down to Leith Hill Road, cross over and continue through forest. In the second path junction from the tarmac lane, the Greensand Way goes right, but you carry straight on, on the bridleway that leads to Horsham Road. Go left and follow the road for about 230m and then take the path on the right. On reaching Holmbury Hill Road go left and follow the lane for a few minutes. Go right up on the path by Three Springs cottage, and a few paces later keep left on the path. After a short but surprisingly steep climb reach the peak of Holmbury Hill about 1hr 15min from Leith Hill.
Leith Hill Tower. Credit: Nike Werstroh
6. TQ 104 429: Head east downhill on the Greensand Way and in the big junction – leaving the Greensand Way-take the second path from the right. Follow the wide path and near the village hall keep left and walk with the houses of Holmbury St Mary on the right. At the junction go right downhill to meet Horsham Road where keep left. A few paces later go right on a bridleway. Shortly after cross Abinger Lane and then Hollow Lane.
Holmbury Hill. Credit: Nike Werstroh
7. TQ 120 455: Continue on Friday Street for about 400m and take the public footpath on the left. At the Wotton Estate path junction go left uphill. Reach the A25 road by the pub and keep right and then turn left on a path towards the ridge. Walk across the field and then take the footpath uphill after a farm. Climb up to the ridge to meet NDW.
Denbies Estate. Credit: Nike Werstroh
8. TQ 121 493: Go right and follow the NDW all the way back to Denbies Wine Estate. Descend alongside the vineyard and take the Mole Gap trail on the left. On reaching Chapel Lane go right and a few minutes later reach the train station.
Further information
Transport: trains from London Waterloo and London Victoria to Box Hill & Westhumble train station
Tourist information: www.visitsurrey.com, www.surreyhills.org
Our experts have mapped out more of their favourite UK mountain challenges here.
