After my failed attempt to hike to Leith Hill from Box Hill the weekend before, I set off again with the goal to get to Leith Hill this time around. I felt like I had done a sufficient amount of preparation in the sense that I had printed off two different hiking descriptions, a shorter one as well as a slightly longer one, and I was ready to rumble.
The abundant sunshine was already promising better views than the weekend before, when I stood on top of Box Hill in the mist. But by the time I finally got of the Underground in Victoria Station, I had missed the train to Holmwood, the closest station to Leith Hill at 4 km distance from the latter. I was in no mood to sit at the station for an hour to wait for the next train, so I decided to jump on a train to Dorking instead. Dorking station is 9 km away from Leith Hill.
On the train, I researched my way from Dorking to Leith Hill. Surprisingly, I couldn’t find any hike descriptions for this route initially, but I did find an entire, detailed description of a long-distance hiking path called the Greensand Way, which seemed to lead through Dorking and to Leith Hill. I was very much hoping it would be signposted in some way, because that would make my solo-hiking adventure a lot easier.
After going the now familiar route from Dorking Station towards Leith Hill, I found and joined the Greensand Way in Westcott. I had navigated myself through Dorking and to the local Holy Trinity Church, a landmark on the plan I had for the Greensand Way, which looked very close to the path. After searching a little, I finally found a signpost with a yellow sign that said Greensands Way just taking a left off the main road, going up a street behind the church. I did a little dance of joy, more reassured now that I wouldn’t miss Leith Hill this time around.
The Greensand Way walking route starts in Haslemere, Surrey and ends, 174 km later, at Hamstreet in Kent near the coast south of Ashford. I used maps 5 and 6 of the walk description to navigate my way backwards, since the walking description is formulated in the other direction. But I merely used the description to make sure that I was still on the right track, since the walkway is amazingly well signposted. The directional signs either read “Greensand Way” or “GW”, rather than just “Public Footpath” or “Public Bridleway” like in many other locations.
The path took me through the forest along a little stream called Pipp Brook, through meadows, past the beautiful Tillingbourne Falls and finally, on to Leith Hill. Leith Hill is at 294 metres the second highest point in southeast England, after Walbury Hill near Newbury, Berkshire (297 metres). The 18th century Gothic Leith Hill Tower has been fully restored in 1984 and is open to the public for viewing; it also houses a little café where I treated myself to a cappuccino after all that hiking. It was a beautiful day, and I could see for miles across the beautiful countryside of Surrey.
On my way back I followed the Leith Hill from Holmwood Station Walk via Coldharbour, one of those I had originally printed off. In this area, there are many signposts for various trails pointing into all different directions, but by carefully following the hiking description and checking on my phone that I was going in the right direction, I managed to stay on track, literally and arrived at Holmwood Station by 5 pm.
