Hike Together

FREE HIKE 23km | North Downs Way Dorking to Guildford

Sat, Jan 17 · 9:20 AM GMT

Dorking (Main) railway station, Station Approach, RH4 1TF, GB

📈 Grade: 🥾🥾🥾 Level 3/5 (Moderate)

📍 MEETING POINT:

• 09:20 Dorking Main railway station

🚶 WALK STARTS:

• 09:30 Dorking Main railway station

🏁 WALK FINISHES:

• About 16:00 to 17:00 Guildford town centre || Guildford Railway Station (depends on group pace)

Join us for a leisurely (5 to 5.5km/h walking speed) winter walk following the North Downs Way from Dorking to Guildford, a route rich in history, scenery, and quiet countryside. Beginning in Dorking, we first follow a section of the ancient Pilgrims Way. While today it is a peaceful gravel track, in 1170 this route carried medieval pilgrims travelling from Winchester to Canterbury Cathedral to visit the shrine of Thomas Becket following his martyrdom.

Soon, the trail climbs onto the North Downs Way, leading us into tranquil woodland paths with occasional viewpoints opening out across the surrounding landscape. The steady ascent is rewarding rather than strenuous, easing us into the rhythm of the walk.

We continue through West Hanger and Netley Park, where shaded woodland, birdsong, and winter wildlife create a calm and immersive atmosphere. These quieter sections offer a welcome contrast to the open ridges and invite a slower pace.

Our lunch stop is at West Hanger, where picnic tables are available and there is the option to purchase a hot drink from the kiosk. It is an ideal place to rest, refuel, and enjoy the peaceful setting.

Refreshed, we continue on toward Newlands Corner, a much-loved beauty spot offering panoramic views, a café, toilets, and open picnic areas. This is another excellent pause point to take in the wide Surrey Hills scenery.

Leaving Newlands Corner, the path crosses Albury Downs before climbing steadily to St Martha’s Hill. At the summit, the historic hilltop church and sweeping views over the North Downs and Tillingbourne Valley provide one of the most memorable highlights of the day.

From here, we descend toward Guildford across Pewley Down, a beautiful stretch of open chalk downland with far-reaching views and a real sense of space. It is one of the finest viewpoints along the southern edge of the North Downs and a fitting approach into town.

Our journey concludes at Guildford Castle, with time to explore the historic surroundings, wander into the town centre, and optionally round off the day with a celebratory drink at one of Guildford’s welcoming local pubs, including an optional visit to Wetherspoons in the town centre.

✅ WHO CAN JOIN:
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Adults aged 21 and over
👶 No children
🐾 No pets (allergies and phobias)

📅 RSVP POLICY:
Please RSVP only if you can attend, and update your response if your plans change. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations may limit future sign-ups. On the day, we will check in with attendees individually. Anyone who does not arrive will be marked as a no-show.

⚠️TRAVEL NOTICE 17 JAN 2026:
On 17 January 2026, there will be a bus replacement service operating between Guildford and Dorking due to rail engineering. Please take this into consideration when planning travel, particularly if you are arriving by car or relying on return trains from Guildford back to Dorking.

📍MEETING POINT OPTION 1 [TRAINS FROM LONDON]:
Outbound: Buy a single ticket from London Waterloo to Dorking Main: £5.25 (£7.90 without Network Railcard or group discount)
Return: Buy a single ticket from Guildford to London Waterloo: £11.75 (£17.70 without Network Railcard or group discount)
Total travel cost for the day from Central London: about £17

• 08:00 London Waterloo ticket office
• 08:10 Leave the ticket office and board the train
• 08:23 Train departs London Waterloo
• 09:18 Train arrives at Dorking Main

📍 MEETING POINT OPTION 2:

• 09:20 Dorking Main railway station

🚶 WALK STARTS:

• 09:30 Dorking Main railway station

🏁 WALK FINISHES:

• 16:00 Guildford town centre || Guildford Railway Station

🍔 LUNCH:
Our lunch stop is at West Hanger, where picnic tables are available and there is the option to purchase a hot drink from the kiosk. It is an ideal place to rest, refuel, and enjoy the peaceful woodland setting.

🌳 TOILETS:

• Discreet nature stops
• Newlands Corner Visitor Centre
• Guildford

👣 STAYING TOGETHER:
Please keep others in sight and avoid straying too far ahead or behind. If you are at the front, pause at junctions. If you are at the back, stay close enough to see someone ahead. It is everyone’s responsibility to help keep the group together. We will stop periodically, usually at junctions, to regroup, rest, and reconnect. Please try to keep the group leader within your line of sight whenever possible.

⚠️ TERRAIN, CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTY:

• Distance: ~23 km (14 miles)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Total ascent/descent: 529 m / 543 m
• Maximum/minimum elevation: 222 m / 34 m
• Estimated duration: ~6 hours (including breaks)
• Walking speed: About 5 to 5.5 km/h on flat terrain. A steady, comfortable pace suitable for conversation; not a Sunday stroll, but not an endurance pace either.
• Terrain: A few short, steep ascents and descents on uneven paths. Mostly flat woodland trails, with sandy and gravel tracks and some quiet country lanes. Not particularly strenuous overall. After rain, expect some mud, slippery muddy sections, and a few chalky stretches underfoot.

🎒WHAT TO BRING:

• Packed lunch and snacks
• At least 2 L of water
• Sturdy hiking boots
• Layers and waterproof clothing
• Sun protection / winter gear (as appropriate)
• Any personal medication and a basic first aid kit
• Fully charged phone and power bank
• Head torch

🚂 RETURN TRAINS TO LONDON:
Trains back to London Waterloo (fast): 16:49, 17:00, 17:19, 17:49 (back in London within about 35 minutes). Additional trains run back to Dorking Deepdene

📞 CONTACT:
Message the event host AdrianB directly via Meetup with any questions.

⚠️ DISCLAIMER:
By joining, you confirm that you’ve read and accepted the group policy on the About page. You are responsible for your own safety, and neither the host nor the group can be held liable for injury, loss, or damage.

The Greensand Way- Part1️⃣ | Free Hike 23km (14mi)

Sat, Jan 24 · 9:50 AM GMT

Haslemere Station, Lower St, Haslemere GU27 2PE, Surrey, GB

📈 GRADE 🥾🥾 🥾 🥾Level 4/5
——
⛳️ MEETING POINT & TIME:
Option 1️⃣
👉🏻 London Waterloo train Station – Main ticket office | 08:30
👉🏻Train departure | 08:45 - Direct Train
Option 2️⃣
👉🏻 Outside Haslemere train station | 09:50
——-
📍HIKE START: This is a Point-to-Point (not circular) Hike ⚠️
- Haslemere train station | 10:00
🏁HIKE FINISH
- Witley train station | ~16:30-17:00
——
🌿 What Is the Greensand Way?
The Greensand Way is a long-distance footpath in southeast England stretching about 108 miles (174 km) from Haslemere in Surrey to Hamstreet in Kent. It mostly follows the Greensand Ridge, a geological formation of greensand rock that runs broadly west–east south of the North Downs, offering gently rolling hills, ancient woodlands, farmland and some gorgeous views.
——
📖 SUMMARY:
⭐️This is the Greensand Way- Part1 ⭐️- A classic Surrey Hills day with big views, sandy woodland trails, and one of the UK’s most dramatic natural landmarks.
We will start in Haslemere, easing into the route on Greensand Way paths as we climb toward the Temple of the Four Winds: A perfect first viewpoint and photo stop.
From there we continue over Gibbet Hill, one of the highest points in the area, before dropping into the spectacular bowl of the Devil’s Punch Bowl, where sweeping ridgeline views and heathland scenery make it feel wild and surprisingly remote.
After soaking up the Punch Bowl, we’ll follow a mix of pine forest, open heath and quiet tracks as we gradually make our way to Witley, finishing at the station for an easy journey home.
——
🌟HIGHLIGHTS:

• Temple of the Four Winds — iconic viewpoint over the Surrey Hills
• Gibbet Hill — one of the area’s best high points with wide panoramas
• Devil’s Punch Bowl — dramatic landscape, ridgelines and heathland views
• Greensand Way trails — sandy paths, woodland shade and open stretches

——
📈 TRAIL DETAILS:

• This is a Point-to-Point (not circular) Hike ⚠️
• Haslemere ➡️ Witley
• Distance: 23 km (14 miles)
• Total Ascent: 672 m
• Total Descent: 706 m
• Max Elevation: 278 m
• Duration: ~6 hours (with breaks)
• Difficulty: 🥾🥾🥾🥾Level 4/5
• Pace: 4–5 km/h (~2.5–3.1mi/h)

——
💷 COST:
Free
This hike is completely free to join but participants need to purchase their own transport tickets.
——
🎟️ TRAIN TICKET INFORMATION:
I would recommend you get

• Super Off-Peak Return London Waterloo 🔁 Haslemere *via Witley with a Network Railcard is £17.65 (instead of £26.60).
• 💡If you’d like to join other hikers using a Network Railcard, please arrive earlier so we can organise small groups. Note that each card can cover up to 4 people.
• Visit National Rail for details

——
🎒WHAT TO BRING:

• 1-2L Water
• Packed lunch and snacks
• Comfortable walking/hiking shoes
• Weather-appropriate clothing (layers, waterproofs, hat, sunscreen)
• Optional: trekking poles, camera

——
✅WHO CAN JOIN:
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Our hikes are open to adults aged 21 and over.
• 👶 For safety reasons, we’re not able to include children.
• 🐾 We love animals, but pets (including dogs) can’t join our hikes.
• ☑️ Everyone is welcome to RSVP, but to keep things fair for all members:
- If someone often cancels last minute or misses hikes without notice, they may be placed on a waitlist or removed from the group for future events.
- We do a quick check-in on the day of the hike, which helps us keep track and make sure spaces are available for those who really want to join.
——
⚠️SAFETY:
As adults, you are fully responsible for your own safety and decisions throughout the walk.
——
📌NOTES:

• This is a group hike led by volunteers. Everyone is welcome to join.
• A few wrong turns? That’s part of the fun!
• While you're free to “hike your own hike,” we encourage group participation, get to know one another, make new friends, and enjoy the journey together.

——
🚨DISCLAIMER:
Event Participation Disclaimer
By signing up for an event we host, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

• The organisers are not qualified hiking leaders, certified first aiders, or formally trained in navigation, survival, or any related disciplines.
• These hikes are informal, self-guided gatherings of like-minded individuals.
• The hosts expressly disclaim all responsibility and liability for any injuries, accidents, or safety incidents that may occur during participation.
• Participation is entirely voluntary, and all attendees are solely responsible for their own safety and well-being.
• These events are non-commercial and are organised purely as a recreational hobby, with no business or financial interests involved.
• Hiking and outdoor activities inherently carry risks of personal injury. By choosing to participate, you accept these risks and take full responsibility for your own actions and decisions.

——
🚨GENERAL GROUP POLICY:

• Voluntary Participation: Attendance is at your own risk. The group and hosts bear no liability.
• No Professional Duty of Care: Hosts are volunteers, not trained guides or medical professionals.
• Insurance Is Your Responsibility: If desired, you must arrange your own personal insurance.
• Respect Nature: Follow Leave No Trace principles at all times.
• Emergency Preparedness: You are responsible for organising your own emergency plan.
• Weather and Safety: Events may be cancelled or changed if conditions are deemed unsafe.
• Self-Assessment Required: You must honestly assess your fitness and ability to keep pace with the group.
• No Guaranteed Rescue: While help may be offered, full rescue capabilities should not be expected.
• No Minors Without Guardians: Participants must be over 21.
• Right to Refuse Participation: Hosts may turn away any individual who appears unprepared or poses a safety risk to others.
• First Aid Preparedness Encouraged: It is highly recommended that each participant carries a small first aid kit for minor injuries such as cuts, scrapes, bites, and blisters.

——
🚨FINAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT:
By attending this event, you confirm that you are participating voluntarily and at your own risk. Neither the host nor the group accepts responsibility for any injury, loss, or damage incurred.

Hastings Country Park and Alexandra Park Buckshole Reservoir Circular - 20K

Sat, Jan 31 · 10:15 AM GMT

Hastings Train Station, Hastings,, West Sussex, GB

📈 Grade: 🥾🥾🥾Level 3/5 - with some muddy slippery ups and downs.

SUMMARY:
🥾 ~20km | Circular Walk | Ascent: ~690m | Duration: ~6 hours
📍 Start: Hasting Train Station at 10:15
🚆 For trains and group/discounted tickets from London, please see below.
🏁 Finish: Hasting Train Station main entrance (outside Costa coffee), approx. 17:00-18:00
⚠️ Chalk grassland, wet woodland, clifftop coastal paths, gravel tracks, stairs, hilly and uneven terrain. The route can be very muddy and slippery during the rainy season, so proper waterproof hiking gear and boots are essential

ABOUT:
Starting from the historic town of Hastings in East Sussex, this circular walk leads into the countryside through attractive woodlands, clifftop and coastal routes, offering scenic views along the way. There are public toilets at the start and the end of the walk (as well as at the lunch stop at the Visitor Centre). We begin/finish our walk at Hastings Train Station and conclude at a pub near the train station.

DESCRIPTION:
The walk begins in the historic town of Hastings, located within the High Weald. We head towards the beach and then the Hastings Country Park, with stunning coastal views featuring a unique and diverse range of habitats, including ancient chalk grassland, chalk scrub, wet woodland, a chalk stream, ponds, woodlands, stairs and clifftop paths. Our route then leads us to Fairlight Glen, taking in the stunning views of the English Channel. Some parts of the path can be muddy and slippery. We then head towards the Bale House Visitor Centre, where we stop for lunch. The Visitor Centre offers limited options for lunch, so it's better to bring your favourite packed lunch or snacks. After lunch, we continue our hike back to the Country Park, Warren Glen. Along the way, we will see several cascades, including the Dripping Well and other notable features, such as Eccelsbourne Reservoir. We then walk through Hastings towards the Alexandra Park Buckshole Reservoir, showcasing exquisite gardens and lakes. We then walk back towards the Hastings train station and conclude at a welcoming pub close to the station, where we can relax and reflect on the day’s journey.

🌟 HIGHLIGHTS:

• Town of Hastings
• Hastings Country Park (including Fairlight Glen, Warren Glen, Dripping Well and Ecclesbourne Glen), which is a part of the High Weald National Landscape
• Alexandra Park Buckshole Reservoir
• Views of the English Channel and Hastings pier

🚂 TRAINS [FROM LONDON]

🚄 High-speed option 1 (Southeastern and Southern rail service)

• Catch the 08:40 from London St Pancras International to Hastings, changing at Ashford International.
• Arrive at Hastings at 10:10.
• Journey time 1 hour 30 minutes.
• £25.30 return with network railcard discount

🚆 Slow-speed option 2 (Southeastern rail service):

• Catch the 08:13 from London Bridge.
• Arrive at Hastings at 10:05.
• Journey time 2 hours.
• £22.40 return with network railcard discount

🚆 Slow-speed option 3 (Southern rail service):

• Catch the 07:54 from London Victoria.
• Arrive at Hastings at 09:58.
• Journey time 2 hours.
• £16 with an advance Southern Rail ticket purchased in advance, or £13 with DaySave,
• Or £25.80 return with network railcard discount

📍 MEETING OPTIONAL POINT 1:
AdrianB will take the high-speed train option 1, meeting at the London St Pancras International ticket office at 08:00. Then will leave the meeting point at 08:20 to head to the platform and board the train, as high-speed services requires boarding at least 20 minutes in advance.

📍 MEETING OPTIONAL POINT 2:
Hastings Train Station (outside the main entrance, in front of Costa Coffee) at 10:15

📍MEETING POINT AND TIME:

• Walk starts: 10:15 sharp from Hastings Train Station
• Walk finishes: Approx. 17:00 to 18:00 at Hastings train station. We will then finish the day at a pub near the Hastings train station.

⚠️ TERRAIN, CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTY:

• Total distance: approx. ~20km (~12.5miles)
• Ascent: ~690m
• Grade: Moderate
• Pace: Approx. 4.5km/h (~2.5mph)

🎒WHAT TO BRING:

• Packed lunch and snacks
• At least 2 L of water
• Sturdy hiking boots
• Layers and waterproof clothing
• Sun protection/winter gear (as appropriate)
• Any personal medication and a basic first aid kit
• Fully charged phone and power bank
• Head torch

📞 CONTACT:

Message the event host, Saeideh, directly via Meetup with any questions.

SAFETY:

• As adults, you are fully responsible for your own safety and decisions throughout the walk.
• ⚠️Chalk grassland, wet woodland, muddy gravel tracks, stairs, clifftop coastal, hilly and uneven terrain.

NOTES:

• This is a group hike led by volunteers. Everyone is welcome to join.
• A few wrong turns? That’s part of the fun!
• While you're free to “hike your own hike,” we encourage group participation, get to know one another, make new friends, and enjoy the journey together.
• Food options are limited en route, bring lunch.

DISCLAIMER:
Event Participation Disclaimer
By signing up for an event we host, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

• The organisers are not qualified hiking leaders, certified first aiders, or formally trained in navigation, survival, or any related disciplines.
• These hikes are informal, self-guided gatherings of like-minded individuals.
• The hosts expressly disclaim all responsibility and liability for any injuries, accidents, or safety incidents that may occur during participation.
• Participation is entirely voluntary, and all attendees are solely responsible for their own safety and well-being.
• These events are non-commercial and are organised purely as a recreational hobby, with no business or financial interests involved.
• Hiking and outdoor activities inherently carry risks of personal injury. By choosing to participate, you accept these risks and take full responsibility for your own actions and decisions.

GENERAL GROUP POLICY:

• Voluntary Participation: Attendance is at your own risk. The group and hosts bear no liability.
• No Professional Duty of Care: Hosts are volunteers, not trained guides or medical professionals.
• Insurance Is Your Responsibility: If desired, you must arrange your own personal insurance.
• Respect Nature: Follow Leave No Trace principles at all times.
• Emergency Preparedness: You are responsible for organising your own emergency plan.
• Weather and Safety: Events may be cancelled or changed if conditions are deemed unsafe.
• Self-Assessment Required: You must honestly assess your fitness and ability to keep pace with the group.
• No Guaranteed Rescue: While help may be offered, full rescue capabilities should not be expected.
• No Minors Without Guardians: Participants must be over 21.
• Right to Refuse Participation: Hosts may turn away any individual who appears unprepared or poses a safety risk to others.
• First Aid Preparedness Encouraged: It is highly recommended that each participant carry a small first aid kit for minor injuries such as cuts, scrapes, bites, and blisters.

FINAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT:
By attending this event, you confirm that you are participating voluntarily and at your own risk. Neither the host nor the group accepts responsibility for any injury, loss, or damage incurred.