Devil’s Punch Bowl Heavenly Heather and Bilberry Bonanza – hilly 25km / 15 miles

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GRADE: Intermediate/Advanced 25 km/15 miles on good paths, 650m total ascent, about 7 hours of hiking, including picnic lunch and bilberry picking.

This lovely circular hike explores stretches of the Greensand Way, a long distance path of 174 km / 108m which starts in Haslemere and ends at Hamstreet, Kent, as well as the Devil’s Punch Bowl, a large natural amphitheatre near Hindhead and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

We walk through beautiful woodland, at this time of year full of delicious bilberries, and through colourful heathland with a good mix of various heathers and bracken. If we find a particularly abundant bilberry spot, we make a short stop or two to enjoy them – they’re yummy!

We cross two peaceful streams quietly meandering amongst trees, and follow a couple of ancient sunken lanes lined by big old trees. We visit Gibbet Hill and pass a celtic cross marking a place where there once was a gibbet used for hanging bodies of executed criminals, and walk along a stretch of the old M3, skirting the edge of the Devil’s Punch Bowl, and now transformed into a haven for wildlife. Finally, we also visit the National Trust Visitor Centre, where there are toilets and a cafe with very tempting ice cream.

MEETING TIME: 10:35 outside of Haslemere station.

COST: £10.00 organiser fee pay on RSVP

TRAINS: There is a train from London Waterloo at 9:30 which arrives at Haslemere station at 10:32, journey time 1h 2 min. Tickets cost £20.70, or £15.65 with a Network Railcard / GroupSave.

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/HSL/090820/0900/dep

WALK STARTS: 10:35 from Haslemere station

LUNCH: We will stop for a picnic at the Devil’s Punch Bowl National Trust Visitor Centre around 12:30-1:00pm. Please bring packed lunch and plenty of water to keep well-hydrated.

WALK ENDS: Approximately 17:30 at Haslemere station

RETURN TRAINS: There are trains to London Waterloo 17 and 42 minutes past each hour.

CONTACT: Phone number for the day: 0799 0489 040

What to bring: Face covering and sanitiser (compulsory) lunch, snacks, water, suitable clothing and hiking footwear. Click here:
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