GSW Hascombe to Winterfold and back, Local

 There was a section of the Greensand way that was incomplete on the Western end, between Hascombe and up to the ridge at Winterfold. It was about a day and a bit, so had been waiting for the right day.

The mud had been drying for a couple of weeks and wind of the weekend had settled down, although it was supposed to be cloudy, it would be warm for the season. This logic found Bertie and I turn up to the old Vicarage car park near Hascombe to set off and see how far we could get, with a couple of options to short cut the circuit and return early.

Leaving the car park and walking along the vista beside the road up to the White Horse pub (same as last time we were here), and from there following the road to the side of the pub.

Around the village pond, and along the road to its terminus at upper house

Up the side of the house and climbing into the wooded hills, up to the ridge where an occasional view across to the ridge opposite (no name) that hides Hascombe Hill.

Crossing over into a pine tree copse before dropping down to the back road at Scotsland farm.

Climbing slightly opposite the farm along the edge of a woodland area, before turning across a pasture field

Into the woods of Wintershall, where strange religious icons hung on the trees, before moving into the fields of Gatestreet farm. Wintershall holds open air nativity plays and such, whereas Gatestreet is an organic farm and venue.

Gatestreet had fluffy pigs and white storks among the usual farm animals.

Taking the track away from the farm, circling around the Gatestreet fields, before a small navigational mistake, where I followed the wrong footpath sign and went south past Lea farm (more residential than agricultural, I think). We had to retrace our steps before we returned to Gatestreet farm.

On the right road, and past a modern box monstrosity sitting on the slope beside the road.

The next few fields were filled with Christmas trees (a diversification from livestock). Before it ended at the A281, which we had to leap over between the traffic.

A few steps up the road and then through the farm yard at Rooks hill - this must be the farm changing crops as the barns were empty and unused.

Keeping in the same direction and down to and across the Downs link trail on the old railway.

To one side is the old canal ..  this will link up to the bit at Rust Common (where we will come back later). The other side it has been ploughed up. then across the river

Up the other side and through the fields leading up to Plonk's Hill area of Shamley Green.

Across the road before heading up past the church and graveyard. Then more pasture fields - this time a fully fenced path

Onto private drives and tracks as we cut across to Franklin's farm. There was a lot of construction going on here with another modern monstrosity, behind the more traditional farmhouse.

The following section was the worst mud of the day as climbed up to Willinghurst farm through woodland, at one point is was the complete width of the track, however it was not too deep luckily. Escaping the woods into open fields eased the situation, except we nearly missed the GSW as it cut up the slope rather than follow the more heavily marked path

Now on a more defined path as we traversed along the side of Great Copse. Bertie was disturbed by some shooting down at Willinghurst house.

We met up with our previous routes as we merged just before the car park (up the steps on the other side of the road). We instead took the path down the side of the road.

Cutting down steeply away from the road, and then onto pasture fields

Back with the road for a short while before coming out onto the top of Smithwood common - a large open grassland area.

We crossed the common following various unmarked paths that led in the general direction of where we wanted to go..

Looking up at the vapour trails in the sky (with lock down these had been much reducved) I just missed a red kite as it soared over the trees

Coming out to the B2128 - the back road to Cranleigh - we crossed over and went down the very straight Rowly Drive, continuing as it changed into the drive for Rowly farm..

A strange routeing around Rowly farm, and we came out on a straight track between pasture fields - this was an alternative section of the Wey South path that bypassed a section of the Downs link.

The path curved back to the canal after East Whipley farm - this section had water in it to Bertie's pleasure, and we followed it towards Run Common

Some stepping stones over the canal, to avoid doubling back down the other side after going to the bridge.

Through the woods and across the Downs link, before coming out into the fields of Whipley Manor

The drive way from Whipley Manor led to the farm (and retail park) beside the A281. We had a pause for refreshment sat on a bench beside the farm, and then continued on the other side down the back road 

The map showed a path cutting back towards Tilsey Farm, but this was so overgrown we had to find a way around, before everything got better as it opening into a field, rising to the farm drive. Following this through the farm yard and onwards towards the hills beyond.

A double bend through a wooded area and into more open fields, always heading to the hills beyond rising all the time. Then a wide track that traversed the slope (still going up slightly)

A steep track took us up Nore Hanger, with a few zigzags in the trees to the summit plateau, where we turned south

Along the ridge heading towards Hascombe Hill, and the track running down the valley to Hascombe place farm which we would follow

Down the track through the valley, initially a bit rough but soon changed into a farm track.

We took a track south a bit too early and ended up fighting through the brush, before coming out on the intended track by following deer trails (we would have been unable to do this in summer). We followed the large trails in the woods back to the car park and lunch. I think I will be back to do the horseshoe of the ridges around here.