I have been asked to lead another AAC walk, and decided to go for the Mole valley walk and add in a bit of Box Hill. For the real thing this will start at Leatherhead station, but this is a busy town and lots of paid for parking so I chose to start the recce at the Norbury park car park just off the A246/ A24 roundabout. This is a free car park and on the proposed return route.
From here I would go up the river to Leatherhead, and through the town to the railway station. then back into town and out along the back lanes to Leatherhead golf club. At Cherkley wood turn right along Mickelham downs and down to White Hill car park. Next up Box hill via Juniper top and across to the fort then pick up the path down to the stepping stones and over them. Up to Denbies then across to Westhumble and onto the Mole valley trail. Along the trail back to the car park.
I drove around and parked up - at this point in the morning I was the only one, so selected a spot I thought would be shady. Then down to the river and under the A246 road
Along the edge of a field as it pulled from the river and on to a more road than track.
Then down the drive past Fetcham grove to where it crossed the river. then along the path beside it.
This path started off dirt, but improved as it got closer to the town. Over the bridge and into the town.
U[the street and then away from the pedestrianised high street.
The stations has car parks on both sides - so on the day I will have to be precise with instructions.
Now the real walk would begin.. from the east side down the road to the town car park at the bottom. Through the car park and into the park behind it.
The mirror car park on the far side of the park led back t the road I had just walked and into the town.
Along the pedestrianised part and along to the church.
A zigzag around the churchyard and down the lane behind.
The lane continued along to a sharp turn and then back along a second lane past Downside Manor.
The lane ended and mutated into a path as it followed the manor boundary. This ended at the A24, which was very busy and it took time to cross. On the far side the path is kind of hidden slightly down a private road.
The path continued along the edge of the golf course, and over the driveway passing the gatehouse.
Still in the same direction I continued on the path as it followed the edge of the golf course until I could take a path into the wood once it ended.
Climbing up through the woods - Cherkley Wood - as it roamed around before joining a wider track over the high point. The path emerged from the wood and along a wide open swathe.
The swathe ended near the trig point, and I followed a small path into the woods dropping slightly to join a bridleway.
The bridleway opened out to see Box Hill, before it dropped steeply down a series of steps to Headley Road.
Across and through the car park onto the track leading up to Juniper top
A smaller clearing on the way before climbing up to a wider one as it climbed up the ridge.
As the clearing ended and I went back into the woods on a foresters track that traversed around to Flint Hill. There I picked up one of the NT trails to head for the top car park.
past the top opening and through the car park.
Across to the visitors centre and on to the fort. Around this and up the far side crossing to the hill edge.
Along the track that followed the edge until I could turn down the stepping stones path.
There are multiple steps down the path as it dropped all the way down the steep slope.
As it levelled out at the bottom, I took the stepping stones path.
Up to the car park on the far bank, and up to the A24. Opposite is the drive to Denbies farm.
However I walked along the A24 to go up the path to the Denbies Vineyard
Along the driveway (or rather a path beside it) to the visitors centre. I walked around this to find the café - but this was a bit posh and I suspect not what the walking group would expect.
back walking picking up the Mole Valley trail. This worked across to and through the village of Westhumble.
At the back road I followed it down to the pub to see if this would be a good substitute for the café. Then I returned up the back road to the crossing of the railway.
Back at the Mole Valley trail, the path cuts very sharply along the edge of the railway.
The path opens into a field where I followed along the fence beside the railway. A footbridge crosses the river, with the railway line above.
Over the bridge and looking up to Norbury park house.
Over a field to some farm buildings, where the trail merged onto the driveway.
At Cowslip farm the track cut sharply left , then right and over the river - still looking at the house above.
Into the woods of Norbury Park and onto a larger forest trail. This curved around traversing the slope with an opening looking over fields to the Priory and the houses of Givons grove.
At Icehouse combe the track zigzagged under the railway after it emerged from a tunnel.
Out of the woods and along the edge of fields and a small climb to a field.
Across the field on a direct path to the car park and the car waiting for me.
A short bite and drink before heading home.
