If you like a challenge why not tackle one of Surrey's long distance routes? These are usually linear (end to end) but we have created shorter circular sections on the North Downs Way and shorter linear sections of the Greensand Way.
North Downs Way National Trail
The North Downs Way National Trail links Farnham with Dover in Kent and offers walkers 153 miles of spectacular scenery, picturesque villages and glorious rolling countryside. Parts of the trail follow the ancient Pilgrims Way that ran from Winchester to Canterbury. Surrey's section of the trail is approximately 53 miles from the trail's start at Farnham to where it crosses into Kent just east of Woldingham.
For those who prefer a circular route we have worked with our National Trail colleagues to create nine shorter circular or linear routes off the trail in Surrey. See our page North Downs Way circular and linear walks.
Cyclists can also enjoy the North Downs Way Riders Route that provides 2 to 3 challenging days of cycling covering the 153 miles of the trail.
Greensand Way long distance route
The Greensand Way is named after the sandstone ridge that runs through Surrey. Pause to enjoy the view from Leith Hill, the highest point in southeast England or take time out to explore the historic houses and village pubs along the route. Starting in Haslemere, the 55 mile Surrey section traverses many of Surrey's hills, to cross into Kent just beyond Limpsfield. The whole route is 108 miles long and ends on the Kentish coast.
We have split the route into ten shorter linear linking sections, often starting or finishing near car parks or railway stations, for those wanting to walk a shorter section.
Thames Path National Trail
If you'd like a waterside walk, you might like to try the Surrey section of the Thames Path National Trail as it winds south through Spelthorne by the riverside towns of Sunbury and Laleham, from Staines Bridge to Sunbury-on-Thames. It also winds northward from Staines up to Runnymede and the historic Magna Carta site. The whole route starts in the Cotswolds and ends at the Thames Barrier in London.
Thames Down Link long distance trail
The Thames Down Link is a 15 mile walking route linking the Thames Path National Trail in Kingston with the North Downs Way National Trail at Westhumble. The route links large areas of public open space including the Hogsmill Open Space in Kingston, Horton Country Park Local Nature Reserve in Epsom and Ewell and Ashtead Common National Nature Reserve in Mole Valley.
Downs Link multi-user long distance trail
The Downs Link bridleway runs for 37 miles from the North Downs at St Martha's Hill to the South Downs near Steyning, West Sussex. It follows the route of a disused railway line and it's open to walkers, horse riders and cyclists. Much of the route is level and on a hard surface but please note that the start at St Martha's to where it joins the disused railway line outside Shalford, is steep in places, uneven and not suitable for family cycling. Please see the West Sussex Downs Link Website for further details of the route.
The Leith Hill Greenway multi-user route
The Leith Hill Greenway is a 12 mile (15 km) multi-user route taking users between Box Hill in Dorking to Leith Hill in the Surrey Hills on a mainly off-road, accessible route. Users should note that there are two road crossings and that the route is steep in places. Greenways are a network of largely off-road routes linking people to facilities and open spaces around towns and villages.
