Hilly Denbies Vineyard, Box Hill & Stepping Stones 14km / 8.5 mile hike

As a hiking business, we are exempt from the rule of 6. By signing up to our event you are agreeing to our COVID-19 guidelines as outlined here:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Sly8wbiT3VabjhkDjX_f6AFFG2pcoU-e5sK0OPjSy74/edit?usp=sharing

GRADE: Intermediate 14 kilometres / 8.5 miles mainly on country and woodland paths and hilly. Total ascent about 415m / 1300ft. About 4 hours of hiking plus picnic lunch.

Despite being relatively short, this hilly circular hike is anything but boring.

We start at Dorking station and quickly make our way into Denbies, the biggest vineyard in the country, climbing the first gentle hills of the day. We then join a short stretch of the North Downs Way, then walk through the pretty village of Westhumble, and after crossing the railway line and the A24, make a short stop at public toilets at the foot of Box Hill.

From there, we head into the charming little village of Mickleham, where we walk past the pretty church, some parts of which are over a thousand years old, and then climb up Mickleham Downs, where, in the shade of old yew trees, we have our well-deserved lunch. We then descend a steep hill which takes us to the back of Box Hill.

The longest (long but gentle) climb of the day leads along Juniper Bottom, and takes us up that famous Box Hill, from which we enjoy great panoramic views over Mole Valley, and where we stop at the National Trust Visitor Centre. There are toilets there, coffee, ice cream, and a tap with drinkable water.

The last highlight of the day, after another long and relatively steep descent, are the Stepping Stones on the River Mole. We cross the river here, and then make our way back to Dorking station, where the hike ends.

MEETING TIME: 10:55 outside Dorking Main station.

COST: £10.00 organiser fee paid on RSVP

TRAINS:
There is a train from London Waterloo at 10:02 which arrives at Dorking Main at 10:55, journey time 53 min. You can also join this train at Vauxhall at 10:06, or at Clapham Junction at 10:11.

Please use toilets on train, as currently there is only 1 toilet open (for both men and women) at Dorking station, and if we all use it, the hike will start much later than planned.

TICKETS: You’ll need to buy a Day Return ticket to Dorking, which costs £12.50, or £8.25 with Network Railcard.

Due to Covid-19, we currently cannot travel together and organise group tickets. If you choose to do so on your own, please remember to follow all current government safety and social distancing guidelines.

https://ojp.nationalrail.co.uk/service/timesandfares/London/Dorking/251020/0945/dep/251020/1600/dep

WALK STARTS: 10:55 from outside Dorking Main station

LUNCH: We will stop for a picnic lunch around 13:00. Please bring packed lunch and plenty of water to keep hydrated, as we won’t be stopping to buy them.

WALK ENDS: Approximately 16:00 outside Dorking Main station, but it always depends on the pace of the group we have on the particular day. It may be a bit earlier or a bit later.

RETURN TRAINS: There are several trains an hour from Dorking to London.

CONTACT: Phone number for the day: 0799 0489 040

WHAT TO BRING:
FACE COVERING, SANITISER, lunch, snacks, water, suitable clothing and hiking footwear.
Click here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FLjSAczjgbZ26OKE4Iy_zX2IFqkybdXCmK9AkVfqI1w/edit?usp=sharing

TERMS and CONDITIONS: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XSic4Aj9VJguTQuiWrTd6I1A-EmvmQCqCHggB0omlX8/edit?usp=sharing

To view our full calendar: https://www.meetup.com/GO-London/events/

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GoLondonAdventure/

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoLondonHiking/

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