North Downs Way — Gomshall to Dorking Section

This North Downs Way section starts at Gomshall station, reached from London Waterloo via Guildford in about 55 minutes, 35km south of London; no permit is required for this free National Trail section. The 12km route climbs moderately along the chalk ridge to around 180m, with sustained but non-technical uphill sections and no exposure or scrambling. Surfaces mix woodland track with chalk and clay path, which becomes very muddy in winter; most of the route is shaded through Abinger Roughs and Ranmore Common woodland, with occasional open ridge sections giving views north. Key landmarks include Abinger Roughs ancient woodland, Ranmore Common roughly 6km in, which serves as a natural turn-around point, and open ridge stretches with views across the Weald on clear days. The village of Shere, near the start, is regarded as one of Surrey's prettiest villages and offers tea rooms, a pub, and a historic church as a pre- or post-walk stop. There are no water sources directly on the ridge itself, so walkers should carry sufficient water for the middle section. No wilderness shelter is required given the trail's proximity to villages throughout, and National Trail acorn waymarks mark most junctions, though a map is useful on some unsignposted Ranmore Common tracks. The route ends at Dorking Deepdene or Dorking North station, with a 50-minute train back to London. Most walkers complete the 12km in three and a half to four and a half hours.