Walks from Horley

Recommended: Views of the North Downs. A direct, mostly off-road route leaving the busy A23 for residential streets and Cycleway 21, a mix of paved and unpaved (asphalt and gravel) surfaces, through Whitebushes and a rural section with bluebells, green fields and views of the North Downs and before a final pavement stretch on the 40mph Orchard Drive into Horley. A non-public footpath into Horley can be overgrown. Follows Cycleway 21; passes 'Asylum Arch Road' and East Surrey Hospital. Local shops at Whitebushes roughly two-thirds of the way.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 2h30–4h30

Lunch: A handy shop at Whitebushes about two-thirds along; multiple shop, pub and eatery options at both ends.

Warnings: Orchard Drive into Horley is a 40mph road, though it has a pavement. A non-public footpath at the Horley end was very overgrown and only just passable.

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: 4h30–9h30

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.

A pleasant, mostly hard-surfaced route through arable landscape, much of it on National Cycle Route 21, mixing suburban footpaths between houses with semi-rural paths; nothing remotely wild. Possibly suitable for wheels end-to-end in dry conditions, but it can flood and waterlog and mud is hard to avoid after rain. Passes near Earlswood and Salfords stations, which can be used to break the walk.

Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.

Time: 3h–6h

Lunch: There is a corner shop in Whitebushes on Spencer Way, and pubs and a restaurant on the sides of Earlswood Common in the middle third.

Warnings: A short section on Crossoak Lane has no footpath and a national speed limit; this can be avoided via a marked footpath off Lake Lane. The route is prone to flooding after heavy rain, including the bridge over Salfords Stream.

Walk details: Slow Ways.