Walks from Dorking

Highly recommended: Vineyard, wooded hills, chalk downland, open grassland. Very beautiful. Magnificent views at Box Hill. Begins fairly quiet, but anticipate a constant Londoner horde near Box Hill itself.

Hilly: two fifths on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.

Woodland: half under tree cover.

Salomons Memorial Viewpoint (3h45 in)

Box Hill Café & Visitor Centre (National Trust; 3h45 in)

Time: 6h (4h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

2 lunch spots: Mickleham (2h15 in) — the King William IV (excellent; reservations recommended), or the Running Horses

2 end-of-walk rewards: Box Hill Café & Visitor Centre, or the Stepping Stones

Warnings: Relatively busy. Can be muddy.

Source: Trains2Green.

Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.

Restored landscaped gardens, rhododendron woods, surfaced parkland paths, open fields with Downs views, wooded valley trails, village green and town centre.

Time: 5h30 (4h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

North Downs chalk escarpment, Greensand Hills, wooded ridges, open downland, river valleys, semi-natural woodland reserve and ponds.

Denbies Hillside (National Trust)

Time: 6h (4h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Mainly level riverside path, sandstone Greensand Way, picturesque Surrey villages and parkland grounds.

Time: 5h (3h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

River Mole beneath Box Hill, the villages of Pixham and Brockham, and St Michael's Church at Betchworth (seen in Four Weddings and a Funeral).

Box Hill: An iconic chalk hill rising above the River Mole, renowned for its views and woodland.

St Michael's Church, Betchworth: A historic village church that featured in the film Four Weddings and a Funeral.

Time: 3h30 (2h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Lunch: Royal Oak, Brockham.

Walk details: Surrey Hills National Landscape (turn-by-turn directions).

North Downs Way along the chalk ridge with stunning views, orchids and butterflies in season, and WWII pillboxes.

The North Downs Way: A National Trail following the chalk ridge of the North Downs with panoramic views.

Time: 4h30 (3h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Warnings: No toilets at either station.

Walk details: Surrey Hills National Landscape (turn-by-turn directions).

River Mole through the Mole Gap in the North Downs, the grounds of Thorncroft Manor, Norbury Park woodland and the Denbies Wine Estate (England's largest vineyard).

Norbury Park: A country estate of woodland and downland between Leatherhead and Dorking.

Denbies Wine Estate: England's largest vineyard, spread across the chalk slopes near Dorking.

Time: 4h (2h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Lunch: Running Horse, Leatherhead.

Walk details: Surrey Hills National Landscape (turn-by-turn directions).

Greensand Ridge, heathland, hilltop moorland, woodland trails, suburban streets and a high street.

Time: 7h30 (6h walking, 1h30 lunch)

Warnings: Can be muddy.

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Similar walk: Blackwater Valley Nature Walks.

Recommended: A lovely lowland walk through Abinger Roughs. A direct, fairly flat lowland walk through quiet fields at the foot of the North Downs and mostly on good sandy/greensand surfaces and partly on the National Cycle Network. Some gentle hills but nothing steep; gates but no stiles; largely avoids winter mud. Largely follows National Cycle Route 22. Both ends have stations (roughly one train an hour between them).

Woodland: a third under tree cover.

Abinger Roughs and Netley Park (National Trust)

Time: 4h (2h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

1 lunch spot: the Gomshall Mill

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A good view of the chalk hills of the North Downs. A mostly flat, pleasant route through farmland and past historic spots, with only two minor hills and some cheeky steep footpaths leaving Dorking. There are lots of stiles, some in poor repair and hidden in hedgerows, a couple of fields of cows and plus muddy patches in places. A nicer approach into Horley than the original via the River Mole. The start point is about a 20-minute walk from Dorking Station. Passes livestock fields with sheep, cows, horses and a llama near Tamworth Cottage, and views of the River Mole near Horley.

Time: 6h (4h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

2 lunch spots: the Seven Stars, or the Plough

1 end-of-walk reward: Ye Olde Six Bells

Warnings: Short sections of road walking with sporadic but very fast traffic, though verges are wide. A very overgrown and inaccessible path just past Brittleware Farm. Many stiles, some in poor repair and hidden in hedgerows; livestock fields with cows and the potential for a bull; an electric fence to cross near Horley.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Varied with good views; Really lovely walk. Mostly follows the Greensand Way over Cretaceous sandstone, whose sandy soils leave few puddles and little mud even after rain. Steep in places at the Dorking end with some long inclines, then easier walking. Varied and with good views; includes woodland sections and many stiles. Mainly follows the Greensand Way. Can be split or supplied at Brockham and Betchworth, which have shops and public transport.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 5h (3h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Lunch: Pubs in Brockham, Betchworth and Skimmington make useful refreshment stops.

Warnings: Watch navigation where Sandy Lane meets Old Road near Wonham, to avoid turning up a private road by mistake.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Plenty of scenic views; views and waterside paths; a delightful walk along the river Mole and through Denby's wine estate. A varied, delightful walk along the River Mole, starting uphill through Denbies vineyard, then field and grassland paths parallel to the railway and river, through livestock fields, gravel paths and a hillside woodland. Several stiles and kissing gates and bridges; some steep but manageable parts. Can be muddy and slippery in wet months. Follows the well-signposted Mole Gap Trail, which traces the River Mole through the North Downs. A picnic spot lies midway.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Denbies Wine Estate: England's largest vineyard, spread across the chalk slopes near Dorking.

Time: 4h (2h30 walking, 1h30 lunch)

Lunch: A number of pubs lie near the route if you need a refreshment stop.

Warnings: Many kissing gates and stiles. Steps can be slippery and field sections muddy in wet weather. The route transits fields actively used for grazing, so dogs should be kept under close control.

Walk details: Slow Ways.