Emily Hartley
Start with one stretch, not the whole path
The North Downs Way stretches roughly 153 miles from Farnham in Surrey all the way to the white cliffs at Dover, tracing the chalk ridge that gives this corner of England its rolling, open character. That distance can sound daunting, but nobody expects you to walk it in one go. Think of it as a long ribbon of day walks, and Surrey happens to hold some of the gentlest and most rewarding sections.
The route is waymarked with the National Trail acorn symbol, usually a white acorn on a brown background, and it is generally well signed at junctions. Even so, paths branch constantly, especially where bridleways, farm tracks and footpaths meet. Carrying a paper map at 1:25,000 scale, plus a charged phone for backup, is the single easiest way to avoid a long detour at the end of a tiring day.
Pick a Surrey section that suits your legs
For a first outing, aim for six to nine miles with a station at each end. That gives you a linear walk without retracing your steps, and an easy escape route if the weather turns or your feet complain.
- Guildford to Gomshall — around eight miles via St Martha's Hill and the wooded slopes above the Tillingbourne. Sandy, well-drained tracks for much of the way.
- Gomshall to Box Hill & Westhumble — roughly seven miles through Shere and the edge of the Downs, finishing with the famous viewpoint and a direct train home.
- Farnham to Puttenham — a shorter half-day option, about six miles, crossing heathland and quiet lanes with a couple of good pub stops.
- Dorking to Reigate Hill — around eight miles of open ridge with wide views and plenty of benches.
Check train times before you set off, particularly on Sundays, when services on the Guildford to Redhill line can be sparse.
Get your footwear and kit right
Chalk and flint are hard on the feet, and Surrey's paths mix dusty downland, tree roots, sticky clay and long grass. Waterproof trail shoes suit most beginners on dry summer days, but if you have weak ankles or plan to walk between October and March, a lighter walking boot with decent tread will serve you better. Whatever you choose, break it in on short local walks first.
Socks matter more than most people expect. Choose wool or synthetic blends rather than cotton, which holds moisture and invites blisters. Pack plasters or blister patches, a spare pair of socks, a light waterproof jacket, and at least a litre of water per person. A single walking pole is genuinely useful on the steeper chalk descents, especially when the surface is greasy.
Check the weather and the ground underfoot
Look at the forecast the evening before and again on the morning. Chalk drains quickly, so the ridge is usually walkable within a day of rain, but the shaded, clay-heavy paths in the valleys can stay muddy for weeks. Steep sections such as the climb up to Box Hill or the pull towards St Martha's Hill become slippery after prolonged rain, and exposed ridges are noticeably windier and colder than the towns below.
In high summer, expect nettles, brambles and long grass on narrower paths, so long trousers are sensible. Ticks are present in Surrey's rough grassland and woodland edges, so check yourself and your dog after the walk. In winter, daylight is short: plan to finish well before dusk, and carry a small torch just in case.
Plan rest stops before you need them
The pleasure of a section walk lies as much in the pauses as the miles. Good stopping points include the café at Newlands Corner, the churchyard at St Martha's Hill with its wide views over the Wey valley, the village greens and pubs at Shere and Gomshall, and the visitor centre and tea rooms around Box Hill. Denbies hillside near Dorking offers benches with a view across the vineyard to the ridge.
Stop before you feel exhausted rather than after. Twenty minutes with a sandwich and your boots loosened can transform the second half of a walk. On warmer days, drink steadily rather than in one long gulp at the end.
Respect farmland and keep dogs under control
Almost every Surrey section crosses working farmland, and the goodwill of farmers keeps these paths open. Follow the Countryside Code: stay on the waymarked route even when a shortcut looks tempting, use stiles and kissing gates properly, and always close gates behind you unless they are clearly propped open.
- Do not walk through growing crops or let children trample field margins.
- Keep dogs on a short lead around livestock, and near sheep at any time of year — a loose dog can cause serious harm, and a farmer is entitled to act if livestock are worried.
- Use a lead during nesting and lambing seasons, roughly March to July, and wherever signs ask for it.
- Bag dog waste, carry it to the next bin, and never leave it hanging in a hedge.
- Take litter home, including fruit peel, which can harm grazing animals.
Start with a familiar short stretch, learn how your body and your boots behave, and let the Downs reveal themselves gradually. That is how most people fall for this path — one gentle six-mile afternoon at a time.
