The weather has improved and I wanted to get out for a final walk before heading off to the Austrian alps next week on the spring tour. I wanted to find somewhere that might have drained from this weeks rain, so chose to go up to Leith Hill with the idea to drop down the north side and up tot he North downs along the ridge and back up to the greensand ridge before returning to Leith Hill.
I parked in Leith Place - at the NT car park, as this allowed the van in and I could use the membership card. then off up the trail to Leith Hill tower. There is a trail from the car park up the steep slope to meet the track form a higher car park.
Up to the tower - the café was open but I just paused for a look north - where I was heading.
And south to the South Downs.
Dropping down to the large path junction above Abinger, then down the large track past Snakes Hill, and Whitbury gate
At Warren farm, I took the path up the hill past Tilling Springs.
This path was crisscrossed with fallen trees just to add to the excitement. Over the wood path to the Warrens lane.
Down the lane avoiding the puddles - until I remembered a path in the woods from a previous visit - this was much better with less mud.
Back on the track, as it descended.
Past the strange trig point - not on a summit. and some views over to the North Downs towards Box and Reigate hills.
At the end of Sylvanus wood a zigzag around Coast Hill Farmthen picking up the path over the hedge from a back road - exceedingly muddy then onto a by-way Avoiding the puddles dropping down to the A25.
Over the A25 and onto a path leading down towards the bottom of the north downs.
Down a slope opposite a church in a walled area. Down the slope in a descending traverse to Vale farm.
Through a small wood then another muddy path down to the railway.
Over the railway and a very steep slope to climb up tot he ridge.
The top of the ridge was marked by the first pillbox of the day, and I tunred onto the North Downs Way.
The next Pillbox as the path traversed the south side of the ridge with occasional views across to the Greensand ridge.
The third and fourth Pillboxes soon followed as I kept tot eh NDW where it continued just inside the edge of the woods
A dip down to and over the Whitedown road and up the other side.
Now the path changed to chalk rather than mud as it continued in the same manner - passing the fifth pillbox.
The last one for today, and this even had an information notice.
Into a field above New barn farm, where I dropped down the steep slope.
The final track was cut up by tractors before crossing the railway once again. Then into the Rough - another NT woodland.
Across the NT woods and into the grass fields on the other side.
DOwn to and over the A25 again and through Paddington farm.
The farm track climbed up behind and over a Bridleway before dropping down to Rakes Hollow.
The Volunteer pub in Sutton Abinger marked a point where I had to follow roads.
Crossing over the valley to climb up the track (Radnor Lane) to the Youth Hostel (under refurbishment) - there is a large car park here for future note,
Climbing gently up the slopes of the north side of the Greensand ridge.
A long climb up the gentle slopes as the path grew narrower towards the top.
Merging onto the Greensand way - a larger track before dropping down another steep slope to cross Holmbury Hill Road.
down the side of grass fields and over the B2126 before going down the drive to Upfolds farm.
Around the farm and into Great Foxmoor wood
At the farm - now residential through the yards and along a grass field to Tanhurst Lane. Up this before crossing into the gardens of Leith Hill palace and hance back to the car park.
