alt="Image"/> (no signpost) and continue around to a T-junction with a road. Turn and climb along the road; at the brow of the hill, turn sharp off the road onto a broad byway track. Climb steadily, bear and continue on a bridleway where the byway turns sharp right. Turn at the next bridleway and continue to the road by Rodsall Manor. Turn along the road and continue around to a T-junction (SU 918 460). Turn and then to return to the car park.
Alternative finish at Guildford station
B Turn at the T-junction at SU 918 460 and take the second signposted bridleway on your right. Follow the route description in paragraphs 2 and 3, but then turn off the NDW and retrace the outward route of the alternative start.
ROUTE 2
St Martha’s Hill–Abinger loop
Start/Finish
Guildford train station SU 992 496; or Echo Pit Road car park TQ 004 484
Distance
28.5km (17¾ miles)
On road
7.5km (4¾ miles)
Off road
21km (13 miles)
Percentage off road
75%
Ascent
550m (1805ft)
Grade
Hard
Time
4hrs–4hrs 30mins
Maps
OS Explorer 145, Landranger 186
Pub
The Volunteer Inn, Abinger Hammer
Café
Abinger Hammer Tearooms
Overview
Although clocking in at less than 30km, this little gem of a route certainly packs a lot into its relatively modest distance. The route takes in a loop of the wooded and hilly country to the east of Guildford; heading east along the sandy tracks of The Chantries and St Martha’s Hill, weaving a route between the villages of Albury, Shere, Gomshall and Abinger Hammer before launching up the steep south escarpment of the North Downs and returning along the bridleways of the NDW. Three-quarters of the route is off road, much of the rest follows narrow country lanes. There are a few climbs to deal with but none so fearsome as the ever-steepening 125m pull up from Hackhurst Farm to the top of the North Downs.
Pedal power! Climbing the steep escarpment on Hackhurst Downs
Directions
1 From Guildford station, follow the one-way system around to join the A281 Shalford road. After 650m, join the cycle path running parallel to the RH side of the road; follow this for 600m before turning (NDW) and crossing back over the A281 onto a residential road. Continue up the road for 400m before turning onto a track road (NDW). Follow the track round past Echo Pit Road car park (an alternative start/finish) as it climbs to the left of Chantry Cottage. Continue on this excellent track along the edge of the Chantries woodland. Beware of an area of soft sand that may stop you in your tracks.
2 At a T-junction with a minor road (Halfpenny Lane), dogleg then and climb steeply up the flank of St Martha’s Hill following NDW signs. At a fork, the good uphill track becomes footpath only, so turn and contour around the hill on a frequently unrideable soft sand track. Once the track starts descending you may gain enough traction to stay upright. At a path T-junction, keep along the bridleway. Cross over the next , passing a Downs Link signpost on your right. At a bridleway fork, bear to go through a small car park and emerge at a road. Dogleg then onto a narrow, sandy bridleway path to follow the Pilgrim’s Way (PW). Keep at a and climb across a field before descending steeply down a sunken lane to a . Turn downhill along Water Lane.
Heading east on the Pilgrim’s Way, with Albury Downs beyond
3 At the T-junction with the A248, turn then after 300m, on entering Albury, turn onto Church Lane opposite the shop/post office. Bear at a fork and continue past the church and war memorial; the road comes to an end and a track continues (wooden bridleway signpost) before swinging right, uphill between steep embankments. Climb steeply to a T-junction with a broader track, bear and continuing climbing. At a fork in a sandy clearing, bear following a blue bridleway waymarker, then soon bear to cross a gravel track and continue uphill onto a sandy track (bridleway waymarker).
4 On emerging at a road junction, continue along Park
alt="Image"/> (no signpost) and continue around to a T-junction with a road. Turn 