Walks from Woking

Largely flat Basingstoke Canal towpath, summer water lilies and wildflowers, linking Farnborough, Brookwood and Woking; varying lengths.

Lunch: Station coffee shops at Farnborough and Brookwood, a café in Brookwood, the Rose and Thistle pub at Frimley Green, and many options in Woking.

Warnings: Lords-and-ladies plants along the route are poisonous.

Walk details: Blackwater Valley Nature Walks (tips, photos, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Heathland, Horsell Common and a Peace Garden; Chobham Common, Rhododendron Walkway, Basingstoke Canal into Woking.

Woodland: half under tree cover.

Chobham Common: The largest National Nature Reserve in the South East, a fine example of lowland heath.

Horsell Common: Sandy common made famous as the Martian landing site in H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds.

Time: 3h30–7h

Warnings: Longcross has no facilities and trains roughly twice an hour; buy single tickets as the stations are on different lines.

Walk details: Walking Post (tips, photos and local insights).

Recommended: A really easy-to-follow and direct and pleasant route making the most of the Basingstoke Canal and Wey Navigation towpaths. The first section out of Woking is mostly paved; the stretch along the Wey is rougher ground and can be muddy in places after rain. A gradual rise as the locks raise the canal level; away from traffic and mostly quiet. Follows the Basingstoke Canal and Wey Navigation towpaths.

Waterway: nine tenths along the Basingstoke Canal.

Woodland: two fifths under tree cover.

Time: 2h30–5h

Lunch: There are no refreshments along the way, but it is not a long route.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Lovely countryside along the Wey Navigation; Lovely views across water meadows. A generally flat, easy-to-follow route along the River Wey Navigation towpath through lovely countryside and water meadows, with well-kept locks and bridges, a few steep ramps where the towpath crosses roads and steps and stiles. One section can become muddy and slippery; the final mile or so into Woking is more urban. Follows the River Wey/Wey Navigation towpath, owned and managed by the National Trust. An hourly bus from Send allows the route to be split. A short detour can be made to Send Church.

Waterway: nine tenths along the River Wey.

Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.

Time: 3h30–7h30

1 lunch spot: the New Inn

Warnings: A section between Send and Old Woking can be muddy and slippery with little to hold onto; walking poles and waterproof boots recommended in wet weather. An awkward stile near Woking by the cricket ground. The river dominates the route, so check flood warnings before walking if in doubt.

Walk details: Slow Ways.