ORDNANCE SURVEY 1:50,000 LANDRANGER SERIES
178 Thames Estuary, Rochester & Southend-on-Sea
179 Canterbury, East Kent, Dover & Margate
186 Aldershot & Guildford, Camberley & Haslemere
187 Dorking & Reigate, Crawley & Horsham
188 Maidstone & The Weald of Kent
189 Ashford & Romney Marsh, Rye & Folkestone
Harvey Maps publish two lightweight, waterproof 1:40,000 single sheet maps showing the whole of the NDW: North Downs Way (East) and North Downs Way (West): www.harveymaps.co.uk.
Digital Ordnance Survey mapping of the region is available from sources including www.memory-map.co.uk and www.anquet.co.uk.
The most up to date 1:50,000 scale Ordnance Survey mapping is used for the routes in this guidebook. At the time of going to press, the information on the maps included in this guide was accurate. A note of caution: the status of some rights of way may be changed over time. Most often – although not always – cyclists have been granted greater access rights with footpaths and other rights of way being ‘upgraded’ to permissive bridleways. Older copies of maps may contain information that is at odds with what is included here.
Roughly half of the 250km NDW National Trail is currently off-limits to bikes. However, at the beginning of 2013 the NDW National Trail’s Steering Group commissioned a survey to assess which parts of the trail and nearby rights of way that are currently off-limits could be made accessible.
Using this guide
Each of the routes included in this guide are graded according to the degree of physical effort they require. The grades are:
The grades reflect the length of the route, the number and severity of climbs and the nature of the terrain traversed. Aside from the dedicated downhill and free riding trails to be found around the Surrey Hills and elsewhere – route descriptions of which are not included in this guide – there is little ‘technical’ mountain biking to be found on the North Downs; hence there is no ‘difficult’ grade. The ‘hard’ and ‘very hard’ classifications in this guide focus on how strenuous the routes are. There are no ‘easy’ routes included here and, therefore, there is no ‘easy’ grade.
Splash down! Winter mud – not for the faint-hearted (Route 13)
Timings
Each route description has an estimated time for how long it should take to get around. These timings are a rough guide and the actual time will vary depending on fitness and experience, time of year, weather conditions, and possible punctures or mechanical problems, as well as ‘re-fuelling’, pub or café stops. Allow yourself extra time, the first time you ride each of the routes in this guidebook.
Distances
Distances are given in kilometres and metres throughout the route descriptions. The total distance given at the beginning of each route is given in kilometres with the equivalent in miles given in brackets. All distances given in metres are linear distances and not height gain unless specifically stated. ‘Climb for 200m along the bridleway’ means the climb is over a distance of 200m as opposed to: ‘...ascend 200m as you climb along the bridleway for 500m’.
The total route distances are also broken down into off-road and on-road distances, with the off-road total given as a percentage. These off-road/on-road distances are as accurate as possible, allowing for a few grey areas where there is some uncertainty as to whether a particular section of a route really qualifies as a ‘road’ or not!
The route descriptions are detailed and map references are given where opportunities for uncertainty with route-finding occur. Once you have ridden the routes a couple of times they will become more familiar and you can spend less time with your nose in this book! Like following recipes from a cookery book, interpreting these routes in your own way and indulging in a spot of improvisation will adapt them to your own taste.
Although the routes in this guide incorporate the most up-to-date Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 mapping available at the time of publication, it is recommended that you also carry the relevant OS map sheets. You may also wish to carry a GPS as a further guide to navigation. Should you get lost or want to find railway stations, pubs, car parks or villages that are off the route, they will allow you to see the wider context.
ROUTES AROUND GUILDFORD
Sandy path on the Pilgrim’s Way at The Chantries by St Martha’s Hill (Route 2)
ROUTE 1
Puttenham Common loop
| Start/Finish | Puttenham Common car park SU 921 461; or Guildford train station SU 992 496 |
| Distance | 18.5km (11½ miles); or 25.75km (16 miles) |
| On road | 4km (2½ miles); or 7.25km (4½ miles) |
| Off road | 14.5km (9 miles); or 18.5km (11½ miles) |
| Percentage off road | 80% |
| Ascent | 370m (1215ft); or 560m (1835ft) |
| Grade | Medium |
| Time | 2hrs 30mins–3hrs; or 3–3hrs 30mins |
| Maps | OS Explorer 145 or Landranger 186 |
| Pub | The Good Intent, Puttenham |
| Café | The Tea Shop at Watts Gallery, Down Lane near Compton |
Overview
This compact route puts together a loop of the best off-road trails available in the area, using bridleways and byways along with narrow country lanes. Excellent sandy tracks are the order of the day, not least on Puttenham Common and along the North Downs Way (NDW). Navigation can be tricky on the wooded sections, so keep your eye on the ball.
There’s relatively little climbing involved on the main route, the most significant being a 50-metre climb along the NDW to the north of Puttenham Common. However, the variant route from Guildford involves a steep 100-metre climb out of town to Henley Fort on the Hog’s Back, but this is mostly on tarmac. On the return, tree roots add an extra dimension to the steep climb up Sunnydown on a narrow path.
In the maze of ‘jungle’ trails on Puttenham Common
Directions
