The wall to wall sunny & hot days has relaxed for a few days and there was even a chance of rain today, however This was not due until the afternoon. I planned a shorter walk for the morning hoping that by leaving early I would miss the bank holiday crowds. The aim was to park on Winterfold heath and follow the greensand way west for a bit before turning south through Willinghurst estate to Smithwood common. Then through Alderbrook estate and Cranleigh golf club heading East across the bottom of the Greensand ridge. Continuing along Sherborne Lane to Radnor house, up to Holmbury Hill and back on the Greensand way to return west. Along the ridge back to the car park.
I parked in the #6 car park at the top f the steep hill climb next to a French camper that was just waking up, and set off down the path west. This crossed the back road and continued above Willinghurst house.
Leaving the Greensand way and down through Willinghurst farm, and onto its drive. Turning across a field with views down to the South downs that cut over to the Fishing grounds.
A shuffle aroudn the various lakes (already stacked with fishers).
Into the fields beyond, that led through various paddocks to the back lane I had driven up slightly earlier.
A zigzag up the lane to access the Smithwood common, crossing this on a curving path. This crossed a driveway (private) but a path led back into the open access after looking around.
There was no path close to the road, but a rising one met another that descended again to the edge of the common. A little way along the back road and a path (Not the first gate as this was locked and private) cut through the fields of Alderbrook park. This was a straight line - much straighter than that on the map).
At the end of the estate the path moved into some woods beside a wooden sculpture, then a field leading to Wyphurst Home farm.
Through the farm - the path here is not obvious and I ended up going through disused stables. Down the driveway and over a back road and up some steps into the golf course.
Through the Cranleigh golf course car park and driving range, before finding a continuation into some woods (with a good Bluebell swathe)
Around High Canfold stud onto a gravel road.
Passing Wykehurst farm the gravel drive changed into tarmacked. On to Coneyhurst farm (residential I think) and then down a residential lane to Shere road.
Over the road and along a mettaled road beside training paddocks. As this approached Radnor Place farm the footpath diverted off the road, and inside the fields beside it.
Through the fields and onto Sherborne lane - really just a grassy path, it has not been used for vehicles in a while.
Up beside a school and Radnor house. Then over Three Mile Road onto a path between fences leading to the back road above the Holmbury house. Along the road for a short distance before turning onto the bottom of a steep slope.
The path starts up the slope relatively easily, however the MTB riders have taken this over and converted it to a series of very steep switchbacks climbing steeply up to the viewpoint and trig point on the end of Holmbury Hill (and iron age fort)
The view to the South Downs from the viewpoint.
In the misty murk I could pick out Dunsfold Aerodrome, before picking up the Greensand way heading West.
Another view point, and back into the trees.
Descending as the ridge here drops down to the narrows towards Peaslake. The Greensand way drops between horse field sand over a small bump. Passing Coverwood farm beside the fields.
A second descend through more horse fields and a narrow fenced off section beside lake house.
Over Ewhurst road and into the grounds of Duke of Kent School. The path rises up the next slope ahead beside the school buildings.
At the top of this slope (not as steep as the previous climb!). onto the wide tracks in the woods curving aroudn to Pitch Hill.
The view point and trig point on the top of Pitch Hill. Before continuing along the Greensand way.
Down to Ride Way beside the car park, crossing over the lane and up a narrow gully to climb up the other side.
Beside Ewhurst Windmill and along its drive to the back road.
Over the car park at the road junction and up Reynards Hill to the viewpoint.
Looking to the South Downs from this viewpoint, then continuing along the Greensand way.
The path meanders aroudn the top of the ridge towards the next car park at Winterfold Hill.
A slight climb and along more open heathland - but no views.
Coming back to the car park we had started in, just before a slight rain started.
