A mixed day was forecast with rain showers through the day, so I chose to get out early and take my chances. I had picked out a route in the same area as last week, just south of Dorking starting in Holmwood common, up to the edge of Dorking then across Bury Hill and around old Bury Hill house. Down to Squire's great wood, before crossing to Abinger forest then South Holmwood, before dropping to Reffold's copse. Nudging over to Parkgate before returning to Holmwood common.
Parking in the first Mill road car park, avoiding the dog walker vans, before heading into the common, aiming for the circular route. Before I got there I took off into the undergrowth heading for the view point.
At the viewpoint looking toward the north downs, then dropping down, freewheeling along narrow paths through the ferns, until reaching the track leading to the north point of the common.
Across a couple of back roads, before following a lane down the side of a school.
Through Holmwood farm and a path between horse paddocks.
More open fields along the side of Dorking suburbs, and an occasional wooded section.
The path ended in the allotments area before coming out beside a care home and dropping down to the edge of Bury Hill.
Into the park below the hill then climbing up the end to reach the top path along the barrow shaped hill.
Along to the temple and on to the end of the hill. Then down on the northern side, before crossing to the driveway up to Old Bury Hill House.
Down the side of the house park, on a sunken path, and out onto a flatter path parallel to the lake (hidden behind the hedges)
Past the final ponds and out into the fields beyond.
Climbing up Logmore lane beside a wooded area - at the top this hid a café seating area under parachute shading.
Across the lane and down beside horse paddocks
The track followed a zigzag between the paddocks and across a footbridge to reach more open areas.
Alongside a grass field to Squire's farm and then climbing into Squire's Great Wood.
A curving route through the woods to Upper Merriden Cottage, then down and around the "Garden area"
Onto a trackway passing through the woods, until a path left through rhododendrons, and over a stream.
Climbing up the far side and onto another forestry track. There were many cycle tracks here and I did get a little distracted and had to cut through the beech trees to reach the back road.
Into Holmwood and a long zigzag on the forestry tracks.
The route I intended had been taken over by mountain bike runs - even down the steepest slopes and into the more tree trunk areas lower down.
Finally leaving the mountain bike tracks onto a bridlepath through the smaller trees to Redlands.
On the driveway I followed a deer for a while until it ran off, then down the driveway to Vigo farm.
Down the driveway on the other side of the farm, and over the A29. down a driveway opposite and some navigation challenges to get around the residential areas.
A track around Grandon Lodge and into the woods behind.
The path came to a super large field with fresh planting. all the tracks had been covered over and I had to walk around the edge. Down to the mainline railway and along it to the crossing over the tracks after a train had passed.
On the far side a series of grass fields, down to a stream with a bridge - several missing planks.
The other side climbed a slope past several cows - older and very calm. Up to the copse and around it to a gate.
An empty field led down to Henfold farm, through it and across another field to a back road.
Along a track leading to Reffold's Copse. Here there was a confusing sign which tried to divert me either side of a well worn track. In the end I passed it and walked on.
At the end I realised i was supposed to chose one of the alternatives, and I swerved onto the left hand one. Then along the side of fields (in the woods still) to a back road. Over this and down beside Springfield farm.
A lane behind the farm and into fields behind the cottages.
A sharp turn back to the back road, over it and down a private road.
Leaving the road beside horse paddocks, and structured grounds to Ewood cottages. Along the driveway to the farm of the same name.
Past the farm and into some woods on the farm track, leading very straight beside a number of fields.
Views across to slopes of Holmwood common. then I met the track I followed last week
I knew I could not cross the railway line at the end of the track so followed a side track to get aroudn to a bridge that went under the line and up the far side to Lodge farm.
Into the woods and a field beside Waterlands farm
Across into Holmwood common angling across to Eutrie House, an aroudn the top of its grounds.
Picking up the route from this morning to return to the car park. I had forgotten my boots this morning and had completed the walk in trainers .. luckily it was very dry. Also the rain had held off (although it did start on my return home). My feet though had suffered slightly from the undulations and needed a rest.
