Surrey 3 Peaks Challenge
The Surrey 3 Peaks: Box Hill, Leith Hill, Holmbury Hill
The Surrey 3 Peaks Challenge is not just a test of endurance, but it’s a great way of being able to explore much of this picturesque countryside, with its outstanding views and variety of landscapes.
I’ve done this challenge a few times, in contrasting seasons, and from alternative starting points. The most popular route is from Ryker’s Cafe, at the foot of Box Hill, heading anti-clockwise via Holmbury Hill, as you’ll see from my OS Maps route below.
However, today i’m going to take you on an alternative route, in a clockwise direction starting off from the Visitor Centre at the top of Box Hill, heading via Denbies Vineyard.
Description
Peaks: Box Hill, Leith Hill, Holmbury Hill
Total elevation: 1,100m
Distance: 33km / 20 miles
Main highlights: Box Hill, Salomon’s Memorial, Denbies Vineyard, Leith Hill tower, Holmbury Hill, panoramic views, variety of landscape, completing an epic challenge!
Start point options:
Ryker’s Cafe, RH5 6BY, What3Words Intro.Signal.Shorts
Box Hill, main car park KT20 7LB, What3Words wipes.slip.spoon
Leith Hill, Shoe Tree car park RH5 6LX, What3Words focal.attend.format
Holmbury Hill, Hurtwood car park RH5 6NU, What3Words goals.quiz.cure
Facilities: Box Hill Visitor Centre (cafe, toilets, info point at Shepherd’s hut), Ryker’s Cafe, Leith Hill (4 car parks, Kiosk at Leith Hill tower - if open), Holmbury Hill (parking). Unless you go off-piste, the only toilet facility is really at Box Hill or Ryker’s Cafe
Gear to bring: Rucksack/trail vest, waterproof clothing, boots or sturdy walking shoes, navigation (GPS, GPX route), chargebank, first aid kit, headtorch, snacks, hydration system or water bottle/s
Marc’s OS Maps route: https://explore.osmaps.com/route/12671763/surrey-three-peaks-challenge?lat=51.221392&lon=-0.441454&zoom=10.9480&style=Standard&type=2d
Route Description
START: From the Visitor Centre in Box Hill, we make our way to Salomon’s Memorial viewpoint, and take the path to our right in the direction of the Stepping Stones walk. We head down towards the River Mole, and eventually come to a busy stretch of road, the A24, carefully making our way across. We then head straight into the beautiful grounds of Denbies Vineyard.
We walk right through the heart of the Denbies Estate, working our way uphill to the treeline, and then bear left at the top of the hill in Ashcombe Wood. It’s a gentle track that still works its way in a slight incline, and we get a great view looking back down the Vineyard to our left. To our right the wide expanse of the Surrey countryside and it’s rolling hills are in full sight. Eventually Leith Hill Tower peeks through a gap in between some trees in the far distance. At this point it seems very far away!
We cross over Ranmore Road, and shortly after make a right turn onto an easy path, that crosses over the railway track. So far so good. We’re making great progress, and the going is fairly easy. We keep taking this path, which runs in between fields either side, past Miltor Brook, and then look out for a right turn when we reach the lake! Continue on, through Logmore Green, and it’s now shortly after that we begin a long a steady climb.
At Wolven’s Lane we turn left, and we’re now entering a copse, which is quite dense in places. After a few hundred yards look out for a path on your right, which leads us towards Tower Copse. Turn left onto a track, and it’s a very long steady climb from here up towards Leith Hill Tower, which will be on our right at the top of the hill. Congratulations! Your first of 3 peaks is done!!
Leith Hill Tower
Leith Hill trig point…1st peak done!
No time to rest, as we continue on, maintaining our elevation as we wind our way on an easy going track through the woods towards Holmbury Hill. The track descends, and eventually we come to Leith Hill Road, and cross over, as we enter Stonymoor Wood. Some of the path becomes quite narrow and steep in places as we head up past Rosiers Wood, before we come to Horsham Road. Turn left, and then first right, and we’re now on another narrow and steep climb. Keep going! We’re not too far now from our 2nd summit!
We come onto Holmbury Hill Road (you see, i told you we weren’t far away!). Make a right turn onto a track which leads us up to the Holmbury Hill memorial. congratulations! 2 summits in the bag!
The memorial and trig point are nestled in a clearing, that offers some amazing views (if the weather is clear)
Holmbury Hill summit!
Now for the home stretch, and to our 3rd and final summit!
With our backs to the memorial (as in the photo above) we take the path to our right, towards the fort. The path weaves left, and in a gentle decline through the trees and into the woods. This is a long but relatively straight section, a relief from our exertions so far!
When we reach Felday Glade, branch left and right staying on the path, which runs all the way down to Horsham Road. We turn left then right back onto a path that runs uphill within the very pleasant fields either side.
Eventually we reach Abinger Lane, and cross into Hollow Lane, before heading into another track. This path runs straight until just after Pugs Corner, where we cross over a weir, and turn left, following the weir to our left for a short time. Turn right after a few hundred yards onto a marked path that heads uphill and then evens out, until we reach Guildford Road.
Turn right at the road, and then left towards Vale Farm. We continue in a straight line for a while, and cross over the railway line.
It’s at this point where there’s a sharp ascent! It seems to go on forever, and I must admit it takes some effort to climb all the way up to the ridge! Thankfully there’s a bench at the top, which offers some fantastic views, and some much needed respite!
After a short recovery, we head right along the ridge, as we pass an old fort…
Customary knobbly knee pose, perched on top of the old look out point!
It’s a great feeling walking up along the ridge, with the views on our right, and the very much welcomed breeze serving to cool us down! We continue on and through some woods, and come out when we reach Ranmore Common, following the path along the road, before eventually bearing left and back into the woods.
It’s a long walk on an easy track in the woods, but it’s not too long before we come back to Denbies Vineyard, which is on our right. it’s a welcome sight, as we know we’re now in touching distance of our finish line!
We avoid going back down through the Denbies Estate, instead continuing straight on through the trees, working our way downhill, before reaching Chapel Lane. Continue on, and head towards Box Hill and Westhumble Station. Passing through the station, we follow the road until we reach the London Road (A24). We’re very close now.
Cross the road very carefully, and pass the Hotel, and then Ryler’s Cafe (option to get an ice cream?). Just one last push now…
Turn right through a gate, and make our way steeply uphill. It’s a long steady climb, but eventually you come to a junction on your right, and take the turn onto Hilltop. If you look right you get a great view of Denbies Vineyard
View of Denbies Vineyard from Box Hill, Hilltop
Keep going and the path bears right, before eventually joining the top of the Stepping Stones walk. Go through the gate, and make your way to Salomon’s Memorial, and the 3rd and final summit of the Surrey 3 Peaks!
Congratulations! Another epic challenge in the bag!
Salomon’s Memorial, Box Hill, and the finish of the Surrey 3 Peaks Challenge!
I hope you' enjoyed my blog. Until next time…
Happy Hiking!
Marc
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