After a couple of days of strong wind and showers, with more forecast
for later in the year, waking up to clear skies was too much of a temptation.
Parking in whitehill car park, after going past Rikka's as there was only a
truck parked there. This did mean an adjustment to our route plans, taking the
middle ridge up to the visitors centre. Leaving the van we set off up the main
bridleway we had followed last time we were here. However we took the first
branch to the right after entering the national Trust open access woodlands.
Climbing very steeply up slippery paths caused by a mud layer on top of a base.
Leaving the bridleway before it descended into Pinehurst, taking a footpath that
climbed up to the ridge and came out by the Broadwood's tower. Views across the
valley below to Norbury park on the other side.
Following the ridge line upwards, the slope eased up as there was a clearing in
the trees, with views across to the Surrey Hills and Leith hill.
Now we followed the trail along the flat top to the ridge past all the woodland
exercise trail equipment - the natural play trail.
Arriving at the open spaces of the
donkey green, where we veered off to the left and picked up the north downs
way, as it tracks the road.
Veering away from the road the NDW takes us away from the village and back on
the slippery paths through the brush.
The trail had been undulating quite a bit by descending on a traverse before a
steep climb back up. Here was one the other way around .. a descend
followed by a rising ascent.
Having gone around the top of a quarry the far side had some views at last. Then
a descending chalk slide to a lime kiln and quarry.
More views over the the lime kiln, and a mystery structure that could be part of
the archaeology.
The track opened out onto a track and then past a row of houses, before it
merged onto the B2032. This was not nice as we were close to fast moving
vehicle's, however after the pavement ended there was a side trail that
paralleled the road.
Leaving the road onto a path beside the houses that opened out into a field
boundary, with views across the fields to the ridge continuation and Reigate
hill.
A sharp left turn and we returned to the ridge base and a very steep climb up to
a wider track contouring the side of the ridge.
A long slippery track continued along the side of the ridge undulating slightly.
Occasional views south, but generally bounded by the shrubs
Passing the Hearthstone mine we left the NDW (which headed up to the top of the
ridge). There was another descent down steps and then along beside a series of
pits, and the slope opened out to grassland up to Colley Hill
Entering the residential extension of Reigate with houses backing up to the
slope. This road converted into a track between two walls
Continuing past more houses buried into the slope (and some massive puddles -
one deeper than my boots that had to be crossed on tip toes). Continuing past
the scout camp and along to the main road.
A few meters up the pavement and we reached the path that contoured around and
up the hill. Initially sustained climbing before easing up towards the top.
The NDW follows a road/ trackway along the flat of the ridge. We took time out
to wander around the Reigate Fort (I don't remember it being open the last time
I was here).
The outline of the fort and some buildings remain, including the magazine, and
some stores.
From the outer rampart you could see over the weald to the south, and the south
downs.
Returning to the NDW (there was only one gateway/ entrance to the fort) and
continuing along the ridge top we past two memorials from WWII ... the
site of a B52 crash and a bunker.
The track continued through woodland before opening out at the Inglis memorial.
Suddenly there were a lot of people and dogs running all over.
Pausing to take a photo of the view south, and also along the ridge to Colley
Hill and beyond back to Box hill.
Contouring around Colley hill so we retained the view, then passing a gate out
of the NT area and onto a track
The track turned down the hill (to meet up with the point where we had left the
NDW earlier). We followed a muddy footpath between houses which eventually
opened out to see across the valley below. A convenient bench allowed for a
refreshment pause looking across the valley.
A large field opened up, with benches an picnic tables and a treacherous path
across the slope ... I was nearly across before it caught me out and mud
plastered my trousers. On the other side into the woods with relief.
Merging into a byway that climbed up past the old BBC development labs
(now Phizer labs) and lots of "private - keep out" signs
The byway came out at a roundabout, with a footpath disappearing into the bushes
on the far side. The path lost its way in the brush and we ended up following
the wrong trail into a garden, before exiting onto the proper track over a fence
(note the path did not follow the map). Coming out on a track the other side of
a couple of fields, beside a number of new houses built like H blocks.
The byway followed some muddy sections through wooded areas, drying up slightly
as we approached Headley, and its common
A huge parking area and open grassland swathes allowed us to take a direct route
in the direction of the car park.
Along the way there was a pond that Bertie could not pass without washing the
mud splatters off his undercarriage. We continued in the same direction
The vista opened out before us as it dropped down steeply to a valley.
Views beyond over towards Box hill, however once at the bottom of the valley we
climbed steeply up the other side, to get to the buildings of an outdoor centre.
The path contoured around, but we missed where we should break off and ended up
descending too far, before cutting back and climbing the fence onto the
driveway.
The driveway took a sharp right turn but our track continued forward and up a
farm track climbing up and over a shoulder with a strange light through a brief
rain shower.
Leaving the farm track we climbed up and into t he National trust area at the
north edge of Box hill.
Climbing up to the end of Juniper top ridge, within the NT area, arriving at a cleared area as we met the path up the ridgeline to Juniper top
Finally back at the car park and the van, ready for lunch. Now it was full and several stopping to eat their own food.
