The Wild Side of Reigate

Most of the walk is on broad dry tracks, through a mixture of open and wooded countryside, initially with fine views of the North Downs and subsequently magnificent views from the top of the Downs above Reigate towards the South Downs. From the top of Pilgrims Way we contour east around the base of the North Downs, cross the A217 and continue on another track with a short steep ascent up some steps with a handrail to join a track in Gatton Park. After a while we can enjoy the handiwork of Capability Brown and the Millenium stone circle. There is then a long easy ascent up to the Junction 8 National Trust car park and shop for a coffee. We then head west along the top of the Downs, past the Reigate Fort, built when the "Entente" was not so "Cordiale", past the memorial to a crashed WW2 Flying Fortress, across an open area to pick up a broad track to our left which descends (poles could be helpful) from the Downs and takes us back to Pilgrims Way.