We are the West London Ramblers. We open the way for everyone in our local community to enjoy the pleasures of walking.
This is a country walk with good views of the area including the famous Devil's Punchbowl and Gibbet Hill, the second highest point in Surrey with views across the Weald. As these names imply, the area had a rather sinister reputation in the past, and some of the history is explained on boards along the route. Hindhead Common has been reunited and is much improved since the A3 road was rerouted through a tunnel. The area is home to abundant wildlife, including ponies, and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
The walk is mostly through woods, which will be welcome if the weather is hot, and is on good tracks with some hard surface. There are no stiles. The going is a bit uneven underfoot in places and there are a number of steep ups and downs. For that reason, wear boots and bring walking poles if you have them. Bring 2L of water if it is hot. There is almost no mud at the moment but that could change if we have rain.
There are no dropout points but some shortcuts back to the visitor centre are available. Return to Haslemere station is via a section of the Greensand Way, a long distance footpath.
Part of the walk is on National Trust land. We will have lunch near the visitor centre café where drinks and snacks can be purchased, but please consider bringing a packed lunch in case of long queues.
Toilets are available at Haslemere station and at the café which we pass twice on the walk.
Take the 10:00 Portsmouth Harbour train from London Waterloo arriving Haslemere at 10:54. Buy an off peak day return to Haslemere.
Meet outside the station entrance on Lower Street.
