Surrey Hills Away Day: Box Hill & Denbies (13 miles / 21km - Strenuous, Booking Required)

This walk is for up to 20 people, including the leader.

An away day to get some hillwalking practice ahead of our Wales weekend, taking in the challenging Box Hill Hike and a loop through Denbies Wine Estate, starting from Dorking in Surrey (easily accessible by train or car from Stag Walkers territory). All are welcome, whether or not you are coming with us to Wales, but please note that the walk is suitable only for experienced walkers of above average fitness. Please be prepared and bring sufficient food and water for the hike.

The route is mainly around the wooded slopes of Box Hill, with areas of chalk grassland and heath, quaint villages, and some amazing views.

Starting from Dorking Deepdene railway station, we’ll quickly head along the road towards Box Hill. We’ll cross the River Mole on a replacement memorial bridge for Ramblers members who died in World War Two. We then tackle the first of many steep slopes as we climb 275 steps through yew woods. At the top we’ll enjoy an excellent view over Dorking and have a snack, with a chance to visit the National Trust facilities.

Heading back a little downhill, we’ll join the waymarked Box Hill Hike and follow this anticlockwise. The undulating route takes us along the southern edge of the hill then north through Box Hill village and into Headley Heath, the largest area of acid heathland on the North Downs. After going up and down some more paths through the woods, we turn westward and come to a long expanse of grassland named The Gallops, which was once used for exercising racehorses.

Following our packed lunch stop, we’ll walk down to Mickleham and stop for a quick drink at a pub. We then climb back uphill and travel south, heading into and out of a narrow valley before reaching the flint tower Broadwood’s Folly. From here it’s just under a mile to the Visitor Centre where we have the opportunity of an ice cream stop.

Having completed the Box Hill Hike, for the last few miles of our walk we’ll loop round over the open hillside of Burford Spur and back down to the River Mole, up to Westhumble village and into Denbies Wine Estate. This has the largest vineyard in England; it also has a great view of Box Hill, giving us a chance to look back on where we’ve been. To finish, we’ll head into Dorking and along a riverside path back to our start point, with the chance of a final pub stop depending on time.

Please note this walk is not suitable for dogs.

For information about walking with the group, including our dog policy, please visit the Stag Walkers website.

Booking your place: Please book your place using the free Meetup website/app. Join the Stag Walkers Meetup group and click the 'Attend' button on the event page.

Please do not turn up for a walk without booking, as places are limited.

If the walk is fully booked, please click 'join waitlist' then please check back regularly as you will likely get a place. The waitlist gives priority to single bookings so if you wish to bring a guest, we recommend booking separately.

Unless you opt in to further communications, we will only use contact information you provide to get in touch about the walk.