Have you ever wondered what long distance trails near Guildford you could walk? Discover something different from the local paths you usually take. We often create circular trails using bridleways and footpaths in order to be able to hike a longer section of a particular L.D. trail. Here are 5 long distance trails near Guildford that you could try.
North Downs Way
Start: Farnham (Surrey); Finish: Dover (Kent); Distance: 208km (130miles)
It is a waymarked long distance National Trail through pleasant countryside between Farnham and Dover with an optional visit to Canterbury.
With good transport links to London, some sections of the North Downs Way are very popular. From Guildford we walked the North Downs Way between Farnham and Dorking myriad times and used these sections for various day walks in many occasions. This is our number one choice among the other long distance trails near Guildford. It is the easiest to get to and the easiest to combine with others.
Greensand Way
Start: Haslemere (Surrey); Finish: Hamstreet (Kent); Distance: 173km (107miles)
The trail following the sandstone ridge takes two areas of outstanding Natural Beauty, the Surrey Hills and the Kent Downs. The highlights in Surrey, such as the Devil`s Punch Bowl, Holmbury and Leith Hills can easily be accessible from Guildford. Like other long distance trails near Guildford, sections of the well trodden Greensand Way can be used as part of a day walk. In fact it is highly likely that you come across with a Greensand Way on a day walk.
The Fox Way long distance trail
Start: Ripley but as it encircles Guildford, you can start anywhere you like.; Distance: 63km (37miles)
Studying the map, looking for trails near Guildford we came across The Fox Way that encircles the town. This long distance trail runs through woodland, meadows and charming villages as well as along the River Wey.
It is (infrequently) signposted with a fox head with a crown. When I first saw the sign I believed that the trail was named after the woodland creature and when googling about the trail I was hoping to find a myth or an interesting story that put the crown on the fox`s head but the explanation was more down to earth. The trail was devised by and therefore named after Richard Fox and Win King. Just like the other long distance trails near Guildford, sections of The Fox Way can be used for a day walk.
Downs Link
Start: St Martha`s Hill (Surrey); Finish: Shoreham; Distance: 59km (36miles)
The trail follows a disused railway line between Guildford and Shoreham. The railway was closed in the mid sixties and today the trail is mainly used by walkers and cyclist. The tree lined path runs in places very close to the Wey and Arun canal, with bridges arching over the path.
The Downs Link connects the North Downs Way long distance trail near Guildford, the South Downs Way, the Greensand Way and the Wey-South Path.
Wey-South Path
Start: Guildford/Millmead Lock; Finish: Amberley; Distance: 55km (34miles)
The Wey and Arun canal was constructed between 1813 and 1816 and was to provide efficient route from London to Portsmouth to carry goods, however the arrival of the railways in the area provided faster transport and the Wey and Arun Canal was abandoned in 1871.
Hundred years later restoration works started. The trail that follows the line of the `London`s lost route to the sea` was devised in the early seventies. It passes through woodlands and open landscapes. Two other trails, the North Downs Way and the South Downs Way near Amberley cross the WeySouth Path.
And there you go, these long distance trails near Guildford provide you with a really good backbone for your ‘adventures’ in the area. Get an OS map and create your own brilliant day out using these amazing trails.
