Allermuir Hill and Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh

North face of Arthur’s Seat from Whinney HIll

Allermuir Hill and Arthur’s seat are two very different hills, linked only as being short walks very accessible from Edinburgh Centre. For us they were two “bonus peaks” that we squeezed in on our Edinburgh Crescent County Top trip.

Allermuir Hill

Member of: Marilyn
Parent Peak: Scald Law NHN = Turnhouse Hill
Elevation: 493m
Date climbed: 25th September 2022
Coordinates: 55° 52' 57'' N, 3° 14' 14'' W
Route Start / End: Midlothian Snowsports Centre, Hillend, Biggar Road, Edinburgh, EH10 7DU
Route Distance: 4.0 km (2.5 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 240m
Subsidiary tops on route: None .. but Caerketton Screes could easily be added to the route
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Pentland Way
Other routes touched (cycle): None
OS Trig Pillar: TP0816 - Allermuir Hill
Map: Edinburgh Map | Musselburgh & Queensferry | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 350
Links: Wikipedia (Pentland Hills), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Having completed Blackhope Scar earlier in the day and with some time to spare, I picked Allermuir as our bonus walk as it was close to our hotel in Dalkeith. We parked at the Midlothian Snowsports Centre and to the track heading west towards the Pentland Way. We chose to ascend via the col between Allermuir and Caerketton Screes. In hindsight, and with better planning, I would have ascended before Caerketton Screes to bag that summit too in the way to Allermuir.

From the Trig Pillar at the summit of Allermuir you get a great view over to Edinburgh, including Arthur’s Seat, the Firth of Forth and, in the other direction, the Pentland Hills. We were there on a very windy afternoon so didn’t hang around on the summit for long so descended following the Pentland Way to the north-east then back to the Snowsports Centre.

Arthur’s Seat

Member of: Marilyn
Parent Peak: Allermuir Hill (to be verified) TBC NHN = Caerketton Hill
Elevation: 251m
Date climbed: 26th September 2022
Coordinates: 55° 56' 38'' N, 3° 9' 42'' W
Route Start / End: Parking area near Duddingston Lodge, Old Church Lane, Duddingston, Edinburgh, EH15 3PY
Route Distance: 3.7 km (2.3 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 195m
Subsidiary tops on route: Crow Hill (238m), Nether Hill (237m), Whinney Hill (174m), Dunsapie Crag (146m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
OS Trig Pillar: TP0893 - Arthurs Seat
Map: Edinburgh Map | Musselburgh & Queensferry | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 350
Links: Wikipedia, Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Arthur’s Seat is an icon of Edinburgh, an extinct volcano dominating Holyrood Park to the east of the city centre. We had completed Meikle Says Law in good time and were keen to fit it in on the way back to the airport. Rather than a simple out-and-back from the closest car park, we ended up having enough time for a small circuit covering 4 smaller peaks on the east side of Holyrood.

Most people access Arthur’s Seat from the west, closest to the city centre. Instead we found a small, quieter car park in the east at Duddingston Village. The simple out-and-back option would have taken us less than 40 minutes and we did the whole circuit in only an hour and a quarter. With more time I would have included Salisbury Crags and Haggis Knowe on the west of the park to do the full Holyrood Circuit. I reckon that the full route would have taken around 2 and a half hours.

Bagging Arthur’s Seat was a satisfying conclusion to our Edinburgh County Tops weekend. We had a a clear day and had a good view to several of the peaks that we bagged over the weekend and the city itself.

Richard gowerTrek, Trig Pillar, Midlothian, ScotlandComment
Edinburgh Crescent County Tops

Ascent of Innerdouny Hill

Our UK County Top bagging trips have now got into a rhythm of an annual long weekend at the end of September. Our group has also grown to 6, although there’s always the inevitable last minute cancellation due to house move / new job / failing body / [*insert excuse here]. For our second Scottish adventure we tackled the “Edinburgh Crescent”, a collection of 6 high points covering 7 historic counties, all within an hour of Edinburgh airport.

We also managed to bag a couple of “bonus peaks”, Allermuir HIll and Arthur’s Seat over the weekend. See this post for details on these.

West Lomond

Significance: Highest peak in Fife (Historic CT)
Member of: Marilyn
Parent Peak: Ben Cleuch NHN = Innerdownie
Elevation: 522m
Date climbed: 23rd September 2022
Coordinates: 56° 14' 43'' N, 3° 17' 49'' W
Route Start / End: Bunnet Stane Car Park, Cupar, KY14 7RR
Route Distance: 4.5 km (2.8 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 365m
Subsidiary tops on route: None
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 1 / EV12 passes Bunnet Stane Car Park
OS Trig Pillar: TP0674 - West Lomond
Map: Glenrothes North, Falkland & Lomond Hills Map | Auchtermuchty & Cupar | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 370
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir)
Links: Wikipedia (West Lomond), Wikipedia (Fife), Bunnet Stane, Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Having landed in Edinburgh Airport mid-morning on the Friday, we picked up a rental car for the 40 minute drive to West Lomond. This is the most north-easterly of this trip’s peaks and a nice warm-up for the longer treks to follow. We met with Joel, who drove from Northern Ireland, at Bunnet Stane Car Park. Don’t let the “car park” label fool you though, it’s just a layby for about 4 cars with a parking sign on it.

The walk to the summit is fairly straightforward, initially flat before getting steeper after Bunnet Stane. This is a rock formation with a man-made cave at the bottom and a information sign describing the history and myth around it. It’s worth stopping here to check it out before the ascent to the summit.

There’s several footpaths to the Trig Pillar at summit but we chose the most well-trodden. For the descent I originally planned to return on the same route but decided at the top to mix it up a bit and make it a circle. This didn’t work out too well as the path I chose to follow was cut of by a fence ahead of a steep drop. We took a alternative, slightly less steep, route down to meet the path we came up on. In hindsight we would have been better off sticking to the out-and-back.

Innerdouny Hill

Significance: Highest peak in Kinross-shire (Historic CT)
Member of: Marilyn
Parent Peak: Ben Cleuch NHN = Innerdownie
Elevation: 497m
Date climbed: 23rd September 2022
Coordinates: 56° 14' 55'' N, 3° 33' 48'' W
Route Start / End: Forestry Commission Car Park at Littlerig on B934
Route Distance: 9.2 km (5.7 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 220m
Subsidiary tops on route: None
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
OS Trig Pillar: TP4108 - Innerdouny Hill
Map: Perth & Kinross Map | Ochil Hills East & Loch Leven | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Active Map 369
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir)
Links: Wikipedia (Innerdouny Hill), Wikipedia (Kinross-shire), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

After West Lomond it’s a half an hour drive to the Littlerig Forestry Commission car park at the start of the walk to Innerdouny Hill. The car park didn’t come up on our sat-nav so we just headed north along the B934 looking out for it on the right. In the end it was easy to find and enough parking for several cars. Given the relative obscurity of the peak, it’s unlikely that you’ll be fighting for a parking spot here.

This is a longer walk than West Lomond but much less elevation. The first 3.9 km follows a wide Forestry Commission track before taking a right turn up a narrow path to the summit. We were there on a very clear day and got great views over the Firth of Forth and some of the other peaks of our trip.

As with West Lomond an out-and-back would have been the best plan. Instead we followed a clearing between a wooded area and a wall to try a more direct route down to the start of the track. It definitely made a more interesting route but in reality didn’t save much time or distance vs. retracing our steps from the summit.

Ben Cleuch

Significance: Highest peak in Clackmannanshire (Historic CT)
Member of: Marilyn, Donald, Graham
Parent Peak: Ben Chonzie NHN = Carn Chois
Elevation: 721m
Date climbed: 24th September 2022
Coordinates: 56° 11' 8'' N, 3° 46' 10'' W
Route Start / End: Free on-street parking at Upper Mill Street, Tillicoultry, FK13 6AX
Route Distance: 7.9 km (4.9 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 650m
Subsidiary tops on route: The Law (638m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
OS Trig Pillar: TP0672 - Ben Cleugh
Map: Stirling & Ochil Hills West Map | Alloa & Dunblane | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 366
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir)
Links: Wikipedia (Ben Cleuch), Wikipedia (Clackmannanshire), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Day 2 started with the University of Stirling parkrun, right next to the hotel where we were staying. Stirling is a good option for an overnight stay on the trip and our hotel, part of the University campus, worked out well.

From Stirling it was less than a 30 minute drive to the start of the walk to Ben Cleuch. This was a shorter distance than the previous 2 walks but much higher elevation. Navigation is straightforward as there’s a very well-trodden path to the summit.

Learning from Day 1 we stuck to the out-and-back plan and didn’t attempt a creative alternative route back to the car. The Woolpack Inn, close to the start point, is a good place for a pint and a rest before heading to the Lothians.

Cairnpapple Hill

Significance: Highest peak in West Lothian (Historic CT)
Member of: Marilyn
Parent Peak: West Cairn Hill NHN = West Cairn HIll
Elevation: 312m
Date climbed: 24th September 2022
Coordinates: 55° 55' 22'' N, 3° 37' 18'' W
Route Start / End: Cairnpapple Hill parking, 2km from Torphichen, Bathgate, EH48 4LD
Route Distance: 650 km (0.4 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 14m
Subsidiary tops on route: None
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Map: Falkirk, Cumbernauld & Livingston Map | Linlithgow, Bathgate & Kilsyth | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 349
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir)
Links: Wikipedia (Cairnpapple Hill), Wikipedia (West Lothian), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Our original plan for Cairnpapple was to follow the short circular route in Jonny Muir’s guidebook. We parked at the small Cairnpapple parking area and took the well-marked south-westerly path to the burial mound. Cairnpapple is commonly regarded as the highest point in West Lothian although the Ballencreif Hill Trig Pillar to the south is higher. Jonny Muir’s guide has the walk continuing in a straight line south from the burial ground to the Trig. Some boundary work must have been done in the meantime as we found a new fence in the way and no obvious means to walk straight to the Trig. Note that Historic Scotland charges an entry fee to the burial ground, although it’s easy to avoid it as the ticket office is not on the gate.

Separate walk to The Knook and the Trig Pillar:

Route Start / End: Top Point Parking, Unnamed Road (south of Cairnpapple Hill), Bathgate, EH48
Route Distance: 1.1 km (0.7 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 16m
OS Trig Pillar: TP0991 - Ballencrieff Hill
Links: Peakbagger (Knock)

To access the Trig Pillar we returned to the car and drove south down the minor road to a layby near the gate to the field containing the Trig Pillar. Alternative parking can be found on the south side of Knock Hill, another contender for West Lothian’s high point. After climbing to the toposcope on Knock Hill we cross the field to bag the Trig Pillar.

Blackhope Scar

Significance: Highest peak in Midlothian (Historic CT)
Member of: Marilyn, Donald, Graham
Parent Peak: Windlestraw Law NHN = Windlestraw Law
Elevation: 651m
Date climbed: 25th September 2022
Coordinates: 55° 43' 25'' N, 3° 5' 31'' W
Route Start / End: Small parking area on southern end of Gladhouse Reservoir
Route Distance: 17.7 km (11 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 518m
Subsidiary tops on route: The Kips (542m), Bowbeat Hill (636m), Bowbeat Rig (585), Dundreich (623m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
OS Trig Pillar: TP1448 - Blackhope Scar and
Map: TP1448 - Blackhope Scar and TP2914 - Dundreich
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir)
Links: Wikipedia (Blackhope Scar), Wikipedia (Midlothian), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Blackhope Scar was the longest and most interesting of the weekend’s peaks. The small parking area on the southern edge of Gladhouse Reservoir is the best, and realistically only, place to start the walk. The first 2 km is fairly flat as the route follows the private road through a farm and up to the ruins of Hirendean Castle. After the ruins the route ascends in a south-westerly direction to the summit. I had read that the route is very boggy and was preparing for a Meikle Fell style swamp. As we were there following a particularly dry summer the ground was solid and much easier than expected.

Jonny Muir’s guidebook shows the route as an out-and-back to the summit but there’s a more interesting circular route. See this post on Walk Highlights and this video on YouTube for good detailed descriptions on the full circular. As well as being more interesting as a circular, you’ll bag an extra Trig Pillar and a couple of extra summits.

Meikle Says Law

Significance: Highest peak in East Lothian (Historic CT)
Member of: Marilyn
Parent Peak: Windlestraw Law NHN = Windlestraw Law
Elevation: 535m
Coordinates: 55° 50' 49'' N, 2° 40' 13'' W
OS Trig Pillar: TP0685 - Sayers Law
Links: Wikipedia (Lammermuir Hills), Wikipedia (East Lothian), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Meikle Says Law - Southeast Slope

Significance: Highest peak in Berwickshire (Historic CT)
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Meikle Says Law NHN = Meikle Says Law
Elevation: 535m
Coordinates: 55° 50' 45'' N, 2° 40' 15'' W
Links: Wikipedia (Berwickshire), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

For both peaks:

Date climbed: 26th September 2022
Route Start / End: Layby opposite to gated entrance to Faseny on Gifford-Longformacus Road
Route Distance: 10.7 km (6.6 miles)
Route Elevation Change: +/- 251m
Subsidiary tops on route: None
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Map: Lammermuir Hills Map | Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg & Gifford | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 345
Guidebook: The UK's County Tops (Jonny Muir)

For our final walk of the weekend we headed to the eastern end of the Lothians for Meikle Says Law. As with Blackhope Scar this involves a short section from the parking area followed by a circular route. We took an anti-clockwise direction on the circular section following a track running parallel to Faseny Water. There’s a few places where the stream crosses the track but we found it easy to jump over without getting wet. It would be a different story after very wet conditions so be prepared to search for other places to cross or make sure that you have good waterproof boots.

Taking the anti-clockwise direction turned out to be a good plan as the track takes you right up to the summit. The Trig Pillar marks the high point of East Lothian. It’s very close to the border with Berwickshire and it’s a 100m walk to the south to bag the high point of that county. There’s nothing to mark the Berwickshire top so we just took a bearing from the gate near the Trig Pillar to the coordinates. It certainly didn’t feel like a summit but there’s was nothing else notable around so we decided to call it there.

From the Berwickshire top we retraced our steps to the Trig Pillar and followed a path on the south side in an easterly direction. The path comes and goes and it’s quite heavy going, but keep to the left of the fence and you’ll be fine. You’ll cross the East Lothian/Berwickshire border a few times on this path but with nothing to mark the boundary.

When you reach a small gate in the fence where another path comes in from the east, you’ll leave the fence, now heading in a north-easterly direction back down to Faseny Water. After crossing the footbridge you’ll have closed the loop and can return to the parking spot on the road.

Driving Distances and Times for the Edinburgh Crescent Road Trip

Based only on connections between the walks. Add more based on accommodation, bonus walks etc. Driving times based on light traffic.

  1. Edinburgh Airport to West Lomond: 32 miles / approx 40 minutes.

  2. West Lomond to Innerdouny Hill: 18 miles / approx 30 minutes.

  3. Innerdouny Hill to Ben Cleugh: 13 miles / approx 30 minutes.

  4. Ben Cleuch to Cairnpapple Hill: 35 miles / approx 60 minutes.

  5. Cairnpapple Hill to Blackhope Scar: 50 miles / approx 90 minutes.

  6. Blackhope Scar to Meikle Says Law: 42 miles / approx 90 minutes.

  7. Meikle Says Law to Edinburgh Airport: 39 miles / approx 60 minutes.

Total drive: 239 miles / approx 6 hours 40 minutes.

Other High Points in the Edinburgh Crescent Area

Richard gowerTrek, UK County Tops, Mountain, Trig Pillar, West Lomond, Fife, Kinross-shire, Clackmannanshire, West Lothian, Mid Lothian, East Lothian, Berwickshire, ScotlandComment
Chiltern Walks: Freith, Skirmett and Moorend Wood

Looking west between Skirmett and Hambledon

Start & Finish: Frieth Village Hall, Frieth, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 6PR
Distance: 8.9 km (5.5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 136m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): The Chiltern Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Chilterns Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Yew Tree in Freith and The Frog at Skirmett (just off route at 3.1 km)
Maps:
- OS Explorer Map (171) Chiltern Hills West, Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford
- OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Frieth, Skirmett

This is part of a series of short circular walks in the Chilterns. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

For this walk we parked on the road just outside Frieth Village hall. From here walk in an easterly direction along Church Road and take the first footpath on the left. Continue on the path heading north-west then take a left onto Spurgrove Lane. Take the first road on the right after the curve on Spurgrove Lane. Keep heading north onto a footpath into the woods. At the footpath junction take a left and head in a westerly direction. When you meet the Chiltern Way at the entrance to Adams Wood, take a left onto the Chiltern Way.

Follow the Chiltern Way for 2.9 km until you reach a small lane that connects Skirmett Road with Bagmoor Shaw. Take a left onto the road and follow it until the first footpath on the right that climbs steeply into the woods. Take a moment to visit the shrine just at the top of the hill. At the top of the hill there’s a field where you get a great view over the Hambledon Valley. At the southern corner of the field the path takes a sharp left and follows the edge of the field to Colstrope Lane. Take a left onto Colstrope Lane, following it to the T junction and cross over to take the footpath through a field and into Brushes Wood. Continue through to Moorend Lane and take a left.

Follow Moorend Lane for 800m then take a left hand footpath into the woods before the Lane meets Freith Road. Continue in a north-westerly direction to Moor Common Road. Take a left to return to the village centre, passing the Yew Tree pub along the way.

Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment
Walking The Greensand Way Part 8 - Winterfold Wood and Reynards Hill

Reynards Hill Viewpoint

Start & Finish: Hurtwood Car Park 3, Pitch Hill, Cranleigh, GU6 7NL
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 204m
Greensand Way section covered: Long Copse to Pitch Hill Car Park: 4.62 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Wey South Path
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 22, Surrey Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: Guildford & Farnham Map | Godalming & Farnborough | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 145
and Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate Map | Leatherhead & Caterham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 146
Links: Winterfold Forest

This is the eighth of a series of short circular walks featuring the Greensand Way. The full trail is a long distance path stretching from Haslemere in Surrey to Ham Street in Kent. Our walks take in short sections of the Greensand Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The Greensand Way is well sign posted however you’ll need a map or GPX route to keep on track for the return sections of the loops. The guidance below will help but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.

For this section we parked at Pitch Hill Car Park at the far eastern end of this section of the route. The first half of this route heads west back to where section 7 leaves off. There’s a lot of paths through Winterfold Wood with many junctions and few sign posts. You’ll highly likely get lost without a GPX route and/or map. We inadvertently took a route through private woodland, only realizing once we exited and saw a sign on the gate. I’ve since edited the route to follow public rights of way.

From the car park cross the road and take the right-hand, northerly headed path (not the Greensand Way). This will cross Barhatch Lane and into the Winterfold Wood Estate. Continue in a north-westerly direction along the estate road to a junction where the road becomes private. Take a left and continue heading in a westerly direction. Continue heading west through the wood until you reach Madgehole Lane and follow this to the junction with Woodhill Lane.

Take a left onto Woodhill Lane, heading south-west then take the first left to join Stroud Lane. Follow Stroud Lane south for ~50 and you’ll rejoin the Greensand Way. Continue along Stroud Lane and stay on the Greensand Way when it leaves the lane on a footpath to the left. Continue following the Greensand Way for another 4km back to the car park.

Take a moment to see the viewpoints at Winterfold Hill and Reynards Hill, both with beautifully carved benches. The final point of interest is the Ewhurst Windmill, a listed building now privately owned by visible from the trail.

Richard gowerTrek, Surrey, England, Surrey HillsComment
Chiltern Walks: Lane End, Fingest and Moorend Common

Fields near Bolter End Common

Start & Finish: Village Car Park, 1 The Ferns, Lane End, High Wycombe, HP14 3HB
Distance: 8.7 km (5.4 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 160m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Chiltern Way
Other routes touched (cycle): Chiltern Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: Several in Lane End village centre, plus The Chequers Inn, Fingest (4.3km in), The Prince Albert (6.9 km in)
Map:
- OS Explorer Map (171) Chiltern Hills West, Henley-on-Thames and Wallingford
- OS Explorer Map (172) Chiltern Hills East
Links: Lane End, Fingest

This is part of a series of short circular walks in the Chilterns. The guidance below will help you navigate but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide. Always take a map and/or a GPX route and prepare well for the weather and terrain.

For this walk we parked at the free village car park opposite the village hall. From here cross the B482 Finings Road and follow Church Path round the right hand side of Holy Trinity Church. When you reach the old pub, now a house, turn right and follow the footpath down through the woods. At path junctions in the wood keep to the right until you reach the farm track at Bolter End Common. Take a left and descend for 1 km down to the woods. At the woods you’ll meet an east-west path. Take a right through a gate onto a private road and descend until you meet Fingest Lane.

Take a right onto Fingest Lane and look out for a clearing with a bench dedicated to Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee. Here you can take a footpath that runs in a north-westerly direction parallel to Fingest Lane. Follow this path and take a left at the end where the road curves to the right. Follow this path along the edge of fields in a south-westerly direction until you reach the village of Fingest. The Chequers Inn is a good place to stop for a rest at this half way point of the trip.

When leaving the Chequers Inn walk in an easterly direction along Fingest Lane and take the footpath on the right signed The Chilterns Way. Follow this path up the hill keeping the woods on your right. After ~500 metres, the path will briefly enter Mousell’s Wood then across a field and into another woods. In this second woods, leave the Chiltern Way as it takes a sharp right. Instead continue along the path heading east to a path junction at Adams Wood. Take a left and follow the path into Adams Wood in a northerly direction for only a few metres before the path curves back to the east. Follow this path for just under 1 km until you reach the far eastern side of the woods. Take a right turn and head south until you meet the junction with Spurgrove Lane. Take a left on a path through the hedge and descent through a field until you meet Fingest Road.

If you need a rest here the Prince Albert Pub is not far down the road on the right. Otherwise cross Fingest Road and follow the path past some houses on the left up through the woods. There’s a few paths here that all interconnect but you’ll need to make sure you’re heading north-east to connect with Church Road. Take a right onto Church Road and follow the pavement alongside it until you see a path on the right with a sign to a house called Chiltern View. Follow this path and take a right at the junction so that you’re walking north with the allotments on your right. You’ll reach the back of Holy Trinity Church where you can either take a right or left hand path around it to connect back to the start.

Richard gowerTrek, Chilterns, Buckinghamshire, EnglandComment
Walking The Greensand Way Part 7 - Shamley Green and Grafham

Near Gate Street Farm

Start & Finish: Shamley Green Christ Church, Church Hill, Shamley Green, Guildford, GU5 0UD
Distance: 10.3 km (6.4 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 107m
Greensand Way section covered: Gate Street Farm to Long Copse, Stroud Common: 4.4 km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Wey South Path
Other routes touched (cycle): Downs Link
Pubs / Cafes on route: None, however the Bricklayers Arms and Red Lion are a short walk from the start/finish
Map: Guildford & Farnham Map | Godalming & Farnborough | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 145
Links: Shamley Green, Grafham, Gate Street Farm

This is the seventh of a series of short circular walks featuring the Greensand Way. The full trail is a long distance path stretching from Haslemere in Surrey to Ham Street in Kent. Our walks take in short sections of the Greensand Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The Greensand Way is well sign posted however you’ll need a map or GPX route to keep on track for the return sections of the loops. The guidance below will help but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.

For this section we planned to park in the small car park on the opposite side of the B2128 (Church Hill) to Shamley Green Christ Church. Normally this would be OK but there was a wedding at the church at the time so we parked near the village green. Although it adds 10 minutes to each end of the walk, there's more parking options and 2 pubs for a pre or post walk rest. The Greensand Way crosses the B2128 by the church. Follow the trail initially in a north-easterly direction and continue as it curves to the south-east. After 1.6 km (from the church) you'll leave the Greensand Way at a fork in the woods and follow the right hand path for ~400m until you reach a small road.

Take a right onto the road and follow it down to meet the B2128 again. Take a right onto the B2128 and follow it north for ~300m to take the first footpath on the left. Be careful here as there's no pavement, although there's a narrow grass verge so you don't need to walk on the road. Cross the field then take a left onto Upper House Lane. Follow this south until you meet Run Common Road.

Take a right onto Run Common Road and follow it for 1.1 km before taking a left hand footpath opposite the entrance to a farm. Be very careful on this road. There's no pavement and, although the road isn't busy, cars can go quite fast. Once you cross the River Wey there's a 300m section where you can walk on a protected path to the left of the road.

Having left Run Common Road, follow the path alongside the left hand side of the field to the A281 Horsham Road. Take a right onto the road, following the pavement, and take the first footpath on the left. Follow this path to Gate Street.

Take a right onto Gate Street and continue past the farm and back onto the Greensand Way. You'll now be on the same part of the trail where you left off on section 6. Continue to follow the Greensand Way back to the start at Shamley Green Christ Church.

Richard gowerTrek, Surrey, England, Surrey HillsComment
Walking The Scholar's Trail, Guildford

Pewley Down, Guildford

Start & Finish: Millbrook Car Park, A281, Guildford, GU1 3XJ
Distance: 8.1 km (5 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 147m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Wey-South Path, North Downs Way
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 22
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Weyside (at start), Seahorse Guildford (at 2..3km), The March Hare (at 7.6 km)
Map: Guildford & Farnham Map | Godalming & Farnborough | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 145
Links: Guildford, River Wey, Shalford Mill National Trust, Chantry Wood, Pewley Down, Semaphore House, Guildford Castle

This is a short circular walk starting and ending in the centre of Guildford, Surrey. I’d seen it a few times on maps and crossed it a couple of times but otherwise hadn’t heard much about it. I also couldn’t find anything about it on the internet. Please contact me or comment below if you know anything about the background to the trail. Despite not knowing much about its background we found this to be a very pleasant short walk with several points of interest along the way.

We parked at Millbrook Car Park in the centre of Guildford and headed south along the east hand-side of the River Wey. Shortly after the Weyside pub you can cross over the Wey to join the Wey-South Path continuing south on the west side of the river. The towpath was blocked off for repairs when we were there but you can also follow the river on the east side of the path and reconnect ~1km later at the next bridge.

If you’re on the west side, you’ll reach a wooden bridge near Ferry Lane. Cross this bridge and return to the east side of the river. You’ll now be on the North Downs Way heading east. When you reach Shalford Park leave the North Downs Way and follow the path on the western edge of the park, continuing south over the Tillingbourne. At a path junction follow the Scholar’s Trail signs to take a left turn to meet the A281 near the Seahorse pub. Take a right onto the A281 then, cross over and take a left onto the lane to Shalford Mill. The Mill is a small National Trust property that’s worth a visit, especially if you’re a member.

From Shalford Mill continue along the path in a north-easterly direction. Join Shepherds Way in a northerly direction for ~300m then take a right onto a narrow path when the road curves to the left. When you reach the next road take a right into Chantry Wood. The Trail snakes through Chantry Wood for 2.5km. We didn’t see a lot of Scholar’s Trail signs here, especially on some important junctions, so a map or GPX route is essential here.

At 5.5 km into the walk the Trail takes a sharp left turn out of the wood and though fields in a north-westerly direction. This is a long, straight section that takes you across Pewley Down back into Guildford. Stop on the way for some great views to the south from the top of Pewley Down. Head to the north-west corner of Pewley Down to Pewley Hill (road). Follow this for 750m descending down to the March Hare pub. Along Pewley Hill you’ll pass Semaphore House, an example of a series of semaphore towers that linked The Admiralty in London with Portsmouth Dockyard. This one, now a private residence, is the next along the line from the Chatley Heath Tower seen on the Discover Downside walk.

At the March Hare pub take a left onto South Hill and continue south-east for 220m, taking a path on the right into woodland. Follow the path down the hill to Quarry Street and the Millbrook Car Park. An alternative finish that we took is to take a left after the March Hare and walk around the grounds of Guildford Castle. This is well worth a visit if you’ve not been there before. The Castle Grounds exists onto Castle Hill, then Quarry Street and then the car park.

Richard gowerTrek, National Trust, Surrey, England, Surrey HillsComment
Walking The Greensand Way Part 6 - Winkworth and Hascombe

View to the east near Thorncombe Street

Start & Finish: Free parking opposite the White Horse Pub, The Street, Hascombe, Godalming GU8 4JA
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 179m
Greensand Way section covered: Hascombe to Gate Street Farm: 3.86km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): None
Pubs / Cafes on route: White Horse Pub Hascombe, Tea Room at Winkworth Arboretum
Map: Guildford & Farnham Map | Godalming & Farnborough | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 145
Links: Hascombe, Wintershall Partnership, Gate Street Farm, National Trust Winkworth Arboretum

This is the sixth of a series of short circular walks featuring the Greensand Way. The full trail is a long distance path stretching from Haslemere in Surrey to Ham Street in Kent. Our walks take in short sections of the Greensand Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The Greensand Way is well sign posted however you’ll need a map or GPX route to keep on track for the return sections of the loops. The guidance below will help but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.

For this section we parked at a free car park opposite the White Horse pub in Hascombe. This is less than 200m from where section 5 left the Greensand Way and starts you off right on the trail. From the parking spot cross the road and take a left in front of the pub onto Church Road. Follow the Greensand Way for just under 4km until a path junction in the woods north of Gate Street Farm.

At 2.6km into the walk you’ll enter the grounds of the Wintershall Estate and the Rosary Way. This is a short walk lined with carvings depicting the life of Jesus. Walking in this west-east direction, you’ll encounter the end of the story first with the carving of the Transfiguration. To see the full story tracing back to the first carving of the Annunciation you’ll need to take a small diversion from the Greensand Way towards the main building on the estate. Scroll down to see our photos of the carvings.

From the path junction in the woods north of Gate Street Farm take a sharp left onto a westerly path ascending through a field. Continue for just over 1km to Thorncombe Street. Take a left, then first right onto Alldens Hill then the first footpath on the left. Follow this path in a southerly direction until you reach Thorncombe Street again. Continue along Thorncombe Street for ~50m until you reach a path on the right to enter Winkworth Arboretum. This is shortly after the Disabled Car Park entrance.

Entrance to Winkworth Arboretum is free for National Trust Members and charged for non-members. There’s no gate or ticket office on the Thorncombe Street entrance so you’ll need to pay or show your membership pass at the main entrance. From the Thorncombe Street entrance, follow the path at the north end of the lake and up the hill to the main entrance and Tea Room.

When leaving the Arboretum take a left on to a footpath leading to the south parallel to the B2130 Brighton Road. The path will end at the B2130 where you’ll take a right, following the road for 20m to take a left onto an unnamed lane. Be very careful on Brighton Road as there’s no pavement and cars can come quite fast. Make sure you’re seen and cross over to the left hand side before the road curves to the right.

Once on the unnamed road you’ll be on familiar ground as you’ll have covered this section in the opposite direction in section 5. Continue south then east until you meet the Greensand Way again and follow it east until you reach the car park opposite the White Horse pub.

The Rosary Way, Wintershall Estate

Richard gowerTrek, Surrey, National Trust, England, Surrey HillsComment
Walking The North Downs Way Part 2 - Puttenham to Newlands Corner

Footbridge over the River Wey near Guildford

Start: The Good Intent Pub, 60-62 The Street, Puttenham, Guildford, GU3 1AR
Finish: Newlands Corner Car Park, A25 Shere Road, Newland's Corner, Albury, GU4 8S
Distance: 12.8 km (7.9 miles)
Elevation change: +256m / -181m. Net +75m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Puttenham Walk (SCC), The Fox Way, Wey South Path, Scholar’s Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 22, Downs Link
Pubs / Cafes on route: Ye Olde Ship Inn (GU2 4EB) and Newlands Corner Cafe at the end.
Map: OS Explorer Map (145) Guildford and Farnham
Guidebook: The North Downs Way National Trail from Farnham to Dover (Cicerone)
Links: Puttenham, Guildford, St Martha’s Hill, Newlands Corner

This is the second of a series of short point-to-point walks along the North Downs Way. The full trail is a long distance path stretching from Farnham in Surrey to Dover in Kent. Our walks took in short sections of 10 km to 13 km which we did with a friend over the course of a couple of years when our schedules coincided. The North Downs Way is well sign posted however I highly recommend taking a map or GPX route to keep you on track. The Cicerone book on the trail is a great guide to the points of interest along the way.

For this section we left one car outside the Good Intent Pub and the other at the large car park at Newlands Corner. Heading east, the first few kms of his section heads through Puttenham Golf course and quiet fields and woods. After 6km the trail descend to its lowest point of this section to cross the River Wey. Here you’re directly south of Guildford, the first major town near the trail since Farnham. The trail crosses the river on a wooden bridge shown in the banner photo above.

1 km after the river the trail passes through Chantry Wood and ascends to the sections high point at Martha’s Hill. The view from here to the south is spectacular on a clear day and the church is worth having a look inside. Descending from the summit of Martha’s Hill you’ll pass the start of the Downs Link which connects the North Downs Way to the South Downs Way, mostly along disused railways. Next the trail curves round to the north and follows the southern edge of woodland to Newlands Corner.

Richard gowerTrek, National Trust, National Trails, Surrey, England, Surrey HillsComment
Walking The Greensand Way Part 11 - Westcott and Bury Hill

Farmland between Broadmoor and Wotton

Start & Finish: Holy Trinity Westcott, Logmore Lane, Westcott, Dorking RH4 3NN
Distance: 9 km (5.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 163m
Greensand Way section covered: Broadmoor Village to Bury Hill: 5.2km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): Leith Hill Greenway
OS Trig Pillar: TP4514 - Logmore Farm
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: Dorking, Box Hill & Reigate Map | Leatherhead & Caterham | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 146
Links: Wescott

This is the eleventh of a series of short circular walks featuring the Greensand Way. The full trail is a long distance path stretching from Haslemere in Surrey to Ham Street in Kent. Our walks take in short sections of the Greensand Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The Greensand Way is well sign posted however you’ll need a map or GPX route to keep on track for the return sections of the loops. The guidance below will help but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.

For this section we parked at Holy Trinity Church just off the A25 at Westcott. From here you can access the Greensand Way by walking south for ~100m up Westcott Heath lane. Take a left at the junction and follow the Greensand Way for 1 km until you reach Milton Street. Take a left onto Milton Street then the first path on the right, following the Greensand Way to the house at the top of the hill. Here you’ll leave the Greensand Way to take a path on the right back down the hill to Milton Street. Follow Milton Street south until it becomes a footpath then reaches a small footbridge over the Milton Brook.

Cross the footbridge over the Milton Brook and through a kissing gate into a field. Follow this footpath for 1.2 km in a south-westerly direction until you meet Logmore Lane. Turn left then immediately right to follow an unnamed lane to Logmore Farm. The lane ends at the farm but you can continue heading south-west up the hill through woods until you meet the Leith Hill Greenway. Take a left onto the Greenway and follow it to the Logmore Farm Trig Pillar on the left of the path.

From the Trig Pillar continue south for 300m then take a right hand path, leaving the Greenway. Descend through the woods, crossing over the Tilling Bourne until you reach the Greensand Way. Take a right and follow the Greensand Way. You’ll shortly pass Broadmoor Village where you left the Greensand Way on Section 10. Continue following the Greensand Way for 4 km until you reach Westcott Heath lane to return to Holy Trinity church.

In this final section near Westcott you’ll pas close to OS Trig Pillar TP3280 - Furzefield. However, this is on private property with no public right of way leading to it so you’ll need permission to visit.

Richard gowerTrek, Surrey, England, Surrey HillsComment
Walking The Greensand Way Part 5 - Hydons Ball and Holloways Heath

View north from the Greensand Way to Hydon’s Ball

Start & Finish: National Trust - Hydon's Ball and Heath car park, Salt Lane, Godalming, GU8 4BB
Distance: 9.3 km (5.8 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 172m
Greensand Way section covered: Hambledon Church to Hascombe: 3.7km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Octavia Hill Trail
Other routes touched (cycle): None
OS Trig Pillar: TP4093 - Hydons Ball
Pubs / Cafes on route: None
Map: Guildford & Farnham Map | Godalming & Farnborough | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map 145
Links: National Trust - Hydon's Ball and Heath, Octavia Hill, Hambledon Church

This is the fifth of a series of short circular walks featuring the Greensand Way. The full trail is a long distance path stretching from Haslemere in Surrey to Ham Street in Kent. Our walks take in short sections of the Greensand Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The Greensand Way is well sign posted however you’ll need a map or GPX route to keep on track for the return sections of the loops. The guidance below will help but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.

For this section we parked at the free National Trust Car Park at Hydon's Ball and Heath. Follow the paths through the heath in a southly then south-westerly direction to the top of the hill with the OS Trig Pillar and stone memorial bench to Octavia Hill. Stop for a while to take in the view to the south and the Greensand Way at the bottom of the hill.

From the Trig Pillar follow the Octavia Hill Trail west for ~120 metres, then take a left hand path to follow it down to the memorial pillar. After the memorial continue along paths in a south-westerly direction for approx 1km until you reach Hambledon Church. You’ll now have reached the start and finish of section 4. Take the left hand track onto the Greensand Way and follow it in an easterly direction for 3.7 km.

This section of the Greensand Way is very quiet, along pretty holloways with occasional long vistas to the south. When you get to the edge of the woods just before The White Horse Pub at Hascombe you’ll leave the Greensand Way on a north-heading path. Continue onto this path onto Hoe Lane, then take a left-hand path that climbs steeply up a hill, initially on wooden steps and back into Holloways Heath. Cross over Mare Lane and follow a private road with some very expensive houses on it for just over 1km until you reach the junction with Hascombe Road. Take a sharp left onto a path before Hascombe Road and follow this in a south-westerly direction back to the Hydon’s Ball car park.

Richard gowerTrek, Surrey, National Trust, Trig Pillar, England, Surrey HillsComment
Walking The Greensand Way Part 4 - Witley and Hambledon

Start & Finish: Hambledon Church, 1 Church Lane, Hambledon, Godalming, GU8 4DS
Distance: 9 km (5.6 miles)
Elevation change: +/- 124m
Greensand Way section covered: Edge of Heath Hills Wood to Hambledon Church: 4.5km
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): None
Other routes touched (cycle): Surrey Cycleway
Pubs / Cafes on route: The Merry Harriers (near start/finish)
Map: Haslemere & Petersfield Map | Midhurst & Selborne | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL33
Links: Witley, Hambledon, Hambledon Church

This is the fourth of a series of short circular walks featuring the Greensand Way. The full trail is a long distance path stretching from Haslemere in Surrey to Ham Street in Kent. Our walks take in short sections of the Greensand Way and loop back to the start on other paths. The Greensand Way is well sign posted however you’ll need a map or GPX route to keep on track for the return sections of the loops. The guidance below will help but don’t use it as a fully accurate turn-by-turn guide.

For this section we parked at the end of the Greensand Way part and walked back to where we left the trail on section 3. Hambledon Church has a handful of parking spaces and had several available when we arrived early afternoon on a Saturday. You’ll probably be fine getting a space there as long as it’s outside of church service times. Alternative parking is at the Merry Harriers pub 300m into the trip. Ask permission to park there first.

From Hambledon Church the route back to Heath Hills Wood runs in a westerly direction on mostly wide paths. It was muddy in parts even after a relatively dry spell so come prepared with waterproof shoes or boots. This section back to the Greensand Way is slightly over 4km and flat(ish) until the 2.5km point where it climbs back up to the trail.

Once you meet the Greensand Way again you’ll be heading in an easterly direction. You’ll cross the railway on a bridge behind Witley Station, missing the town, and through the pretty village of Hambleden. There’s a great viewpoint just before the descent to Hambledon village where you can see back to the hills around the Devil’s Punchbowl and almost to the south coast.

The walk concludes with a gentle climb out of Hambledon village to the church where you started.

Richard gowerTrek, Surrey, England, Surrey HillsComment
The parkrun Collection

If something is outdoors, has variety, can be tracked and has challenges, it’s a fair bet that I’ll get obsessed with it. parkun ticks all of those boxes and it’s been an obsession of mine since 2012. A friend who had got the parkrun bug a few years before took me to a Boxing Day Freedom Run in December 2012. I was hooked straight away and returned to Black Park to do my first official one the following week. I started touring early, heading over to Wycombe Rye only a few weeks later. As it happened the event was called off due to ice but we did a Freedom Run anyway and returned the following week to do it properly.

Since then I’ve been touring as much as possible, collecting challenges and counties along the way. Here’s a selection of my blog posts on parkrun. Comment below or contact me if you spot any errors and I’ll donate £1 to the parkrun Forever fund for each correction made.

parkrun Challenges & general geekery

parkrun Regions and Counties: London & The South East

Other parkrun Regions and Counties

parkrun Timeline

My completion year for the various parkrun clubs, challenges, countries and counties. There’s a few other smaller challenges that I’ve not shown here.

Green achievement badges sourced from the Running Challenges extension

Richard gowerRun, parkrunComment
Cycling The Archipelago Trail, Finland

Peterzens Boathouse

A boys’ trip to Finland has been an annual summer event for us since 2003. We’re a group of 40-somethings made up of two Finns, two Germans and two Brits. We met when we all worked in IT in the same company and kept meeting up once a year ever since. Most years we end up in Finland, hosted by Juho and Juha. Sometimes we go somewhere else and sometimes not all the group can make it. Due to Covid and a 2019 trip to Berlin it had been 4 years since our previous Finland trip so we were keen to be back. For this trip we opted for a cycling adventure rather than our usual sauna and beer weekend.

We chose the Archipelago Trail, a ~220 km circular route from Turku, a city in the south-west of the country. We took the train from Helsinki to Turku and a bus back, both of which were just over 2 hours. There’s a few options for bike hire in Turku but we chose Carfield, a 5 minute walk from the train station. Staff are friendly but inefficient so allow 30 minutes to get your bikes sorted out even if you have booked in advance.

Day 1 - Turku to Korppoo

Start: Carfield Bike Rental - Polkupyörävuokraus, Läntinen Pitkäkatu 20, 20100 Turku
Finish: Hjalmars´ Restaurant and Pub, Kauppamiehentie 1, 21710 Korpo
Distance: 80.6 km (50 miles)
- On roads: 78.2 km (48.5 miles)
- via ferry: 2.4 km (1.5 miles)
Elevation change: + 943m / -964m (Net -21m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Sattmarkin Luontopolku, St. Olav’s Way
Other routes touched (cycle): EV10
Pubs / Cafes on route: Sattmark Kaffe & Safka (33 km in), Köpmans Café & Restaurant, Nagu (57 km in),
Links: Archipelago Trail, St. Olav’s Way, Turku, Kaarina, Nagu, Korppoo, Fin Ferries

We took a clockwise direction following the EV10 out of Turku to Kaarina, then south on the 180. At 11km we were off the mainland and over the bridge to the first island of the archipelago. Although there’s some busy roads on this first section the cycle path is separate from the road, safe and well maintained. Once on the islands the cycle path undulates more than the roads as they navigate up and around rockier sections.

The weather wasn’t kind to us and it rained for most of the first day. We were very happy to stop for lunch at Sattmark Cafe, 33 km into the trip. I can highly recommend the fish and chips which looked small when they arrived at the table but seemed to go on forever. The cake selection looked amazing but the fish had filled me up so dessert would have to come later. For us this was 24 km later in the larger town of Nagu where Köpmans Café & Restaurant is a good and popular choice.

The first car ferry of the trip is shortly before Nagu at the 42 km point. There’s 9 ferries in total for this route, all free of charge except for 1. Shorter crossings have small chain ferries that come and go as needed. Longer crossings have larger ferries with indoor areas for passengers. Check the timetables for the larger ferries as missing one can give you a very long wait. We nearly missed one on day 2 which would have meant a 2 hour wait for the next one.

The separate cycle path ends at the first ferry and you’ll now be joining the cars on the main road. Roads on the islands are quiet though. The larger ferries also have the effect of bunching up the traffic. Bikes always leave the ferries behind the cars, so you’ll have a long stretch of cycling before the cars from the next ferry catch you up.

Our accommodation for Day 1 was in Hjalmars´ Restaurant and Pub in Korppoo. We had a large en-suite room with 4 single beds which was perfect for our group. They also had a secure room in the basement to lock the bikes up overnight. Food was great too and you should try their special strawberry dessert. It’s perfect if you don’t like to have too many strawberries in your strawberry dessert.

Day 2 - Korppoo to Kustavi

Start: Hjalmars´ Restaurant and Pub, Kauppamiehentie 1, 21710 Korpo
Finish: Peterzens Boathouse, Parattulan rantatie 16, 23360 Kustavi
Distance: 65.2 km (40.5 miles)
- On roads: 37.3km (23.2 miles)
- via ferry: 27.9 km (17.3 miles)
Elevation change: + 260 / -264m (Net -4m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): St. Olav’s Way
Other routes touched (cycle): National Cycling Route 32
Pubs / Cafes on route: Cafe on the Mossala-Houtskari ferry (35 km in), Cafe Alppila, Iniö (57 km in)
Links: Archipelago Trail, St. Olav’s Way, Korppoo, Kustavi, Fin Ferries

Day 2 was a shorter day, both in total distance and in cycling time. This is the heart of the archipelago with more islands, more ferries and longer distances between them. Around 40% of the total distance for this day is via ferry. We set off from the hotel to retrace the last 3km from the previous day to the Korppoo ferry. Thankfully the rain had stopped but it was still chilly so we made good use of the covered areas of the ferries.

Much of this day was what we imagined the trip to be: remote, rural with quiet roads. Cafes were fewer and farther between so we took the opportunities as they came up. The Munkkis (Finnish donuts) on the Mossala-Houtskari ferry were amazing and almost worth the flight to Finland just to find them.

Evening accommodation for this day was at Peterzen’s Boathouse, a marina on the southern end of Kustavi’s main Island. We made the most of arriving early in the afternoon to try the fish buffet, mini-golf and table-tennis. The boathouse has a selection of wooden cabins next to the marina which are perfect for cyclists. They’re on the cozy side so I’m glad we went for 2 cabins for the 4 of us.

Day 3 - Kustavi to Turku

Start: Peterzens Boathouse, Parattulan rantatie 16, 23360 Kustavi
Finish: Carfield Bike Rental - Polkupyörävuokraus, Läntinen Pitkäkatu 20, 20100 Turku
Distance: 75.7 km (47 miles)
- On roads: 69.5km (43 miles)
- via ferry: 6.2 km (3.8 miles)
Elevation change: + 496m / -471m (Net +25m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Kuhankuonon Retkeilyreitistö
Other routes touched (cycle): EV10, National Cycling Route 29, 32
Pubs / Cafes on route: Livonsaaren Osuuskauppa (36km in), Restaurant Snickari, Naantali (58 km in)
Links: Archipelago Trail, St. Olav’s Way, Kustavi, Peterzens Boathouse, Taivassalo, Merimasku, Naantali, Turku, Fin Ferries

The weather had significantly improved for day 3 with no rain, no wind, a clear sky and a nice cycling temperature. After an early breakfast on the cabin terrace we set off on for the 1 hour / 20km ride to the next ferry. This was an important one to catch as the next one wouldn’t have been until late in the afternoon. Between us and 2 other cyclists we had a large car ferry to ourselves for the 45 minute crossing.

Although there was a restaurant near the ferry port on the next island we arrived too early so we continued for another 6km for a coffee stop. From here it was another 2 hours to cycle to Naantali for our lunch stop. This was the largest town of the trip so far and worth spending a bit more time in. Naantali is one of the oldest towns in Finland and the old wooden buildings on Mannerheiminkatu street are worth exploring. The town is also home to Moonminworld on an island just off the marina. We were concerned that we would get mistaken for the bald round creatures so decided not to go in.

The final stretch from Naantali back to Turku is 1 hour / ~17km. The cycle route returns to a separate protected path away from the increasingly busy roads to Turku.

The route can be completed between 2 to 5 days but I was glad that we went for the 3 day option. 2 days would have been a bit of a mission and too fast to enjoy the slow pace of the Archipelago. Even on the 3 day option we got to our overnight stops by mid-afternoon and I’m not sure what we would have done with the extra time. For fewer or more days it would be better to take either the Small Archipelago Trail (120km connecting Nagu and Naantali) or a longer trip via some of the outer islands to the west.

A huge thanks to Juho for being chief planner and local fixer for the trip. We’d have ended up somewhere in a field in Sweden without him.

Some other notes on the trip:

  • Turku train station has large luggage lockers if you have more stuff than you want to carry on your bike. At time of writing it was 3 Euro per day for up to 4 days.

  • The cafes and accommodation listed below are the ones that we went to. There’s other options but these were all good and well spaced apart. Book in advance for accommodation as there’s not too many choices.

Richard gowerCycle, Coast, FinlandComment
Serpent Trail 50k Ultra Marathon

Crossing the River Rother 2.5km to the finishing line at Petersfield

When: July 2nd 2022
Start: A field in Riverhill Farm, Petworth
Finish: Petersfield Rugby Football Club, Penns Place, Petersfield, GU31 4EP
Distance: 50 km (31 miles)
Elevation change: +611m / -685m (Net -74m)
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): Sussex Diamond Way, New Lipchis Way, Sussex Border Path
Other routes touched (cycle): None
OS Trig Pillar: TP3749 - Hesworth (at 9.2km from the start)
Maps:
- Arundel & Pulborough Map | Worthing & Bognor Regis | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL10
- Haslemere & Petersfield Map | Midhurst & Selborne | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL33
Finish time: 7 hours 03 minutes
Links: Serpent Trail Guide, Serpent Trail Race, Fittleworth, Lavington Common National Trust, Midhurst, Petersfield

Following last summer’s brutal 100k on the Race To The Castle I was up for a shorter Ultra this year. It was also a good one to do with my friend Mark as his second Ultra after our Downs Link race in October.

The Serpent Trail is a 106k long distance path snaking through the greensand hills and heathland in the South Downs National Park. It’s north of the South Downs Way and connects Petersfield to Haslemere. The end point at Haslemere is also the start of the Greensand Way, a 174 km path across the North Downs to Kent. There was a 100k race option to cover the whole length of the Trail but 50k was definitely enough.

The 50k option started in a field near Petworth and joined the Serpent Trail after 2.5km. It was a dry day and there had been very little rain in the weeks leading up to it, so I managed to avoid the blisters and trench-foot of several of my previous Ultras. It was also hot too and I was feeling the effects of it from 12:00 to 14:00. I much prefer to run in the cold and by 14:00 the heat had taken my energy to go faster than a quick walk.

I thought that I was struggling due to the heat but ended up crossing the finish line at 7 hours and 3 minutes. That was 4 minutes slower than my previous 50k on the Chiltern Challenge in 2020. I decided to call it a tie though having wasted around 4 minutes getting off course on Ambersham Common having missed a very obvious signpost. Meanwhile Mark stormed it, finishing 14 minutes head of me with a time of 6 hours 49 minutes.

It was a great route with a bonus highlight of bagging a Trig Pillar that was right on the route at Hesworth Common. I still have the first half of the Trail to find a way to complete so I’m sure I’ll be back in the area soon.

Richard gowerRun, Ultramarathon, Trig Pillar, National Trust, South Downs, National Park, Sussex, England Comment
Walking The England Coast Path: Shoreham to Rottingdean

View from Brighton Marina to the undercliff path with Rottingdean Windmill in the distance.

Start: Shoreham-by-Sea Railway Station, BN43 5WX, Sussex
Finish: The Windmill Bus Stop, Marine Drive, Rottingdean, BN2 7GZ
Distance: 19.3 km (12 miles)
Elevation change: +132m /-117m. Net -15m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): England Coast Path, Monarch’s Way, Mid Sussex Link, Undercliff Walk, Newhaven Brighton Clifftop Path
Other routes touched (cycle): Downs Link, NCN 2, 223
Pubs / Cafes on route: Many along the route. Notable ones that we used are Port Kitchen at Shoreham Port (4.2k in), White Cloud Coffee Company (13k in), The White Horse Hotel Rottingdean (18k in)
Map: Brighton & Hove Map | Lewes & Burgess Hill | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL11
Links: Shoreham-by-Sea, Hove, Brighton, Brighton Marina, Rottingdean, Rottingdean Windmill

In our latest short section of the England Coast Path we chose the 19km stretch between Shoreham-by-Sea and Rottingdean. My main interest was to connect 2 previous trips: the end of the Downs Link that I had previously completed by bike and as an Ultra, and the Rottingdean to Peacehaven section that I had done ahead of the Prime Meridian cycle trip.

We were staying in Brighton for the week and actually split this into 2 days. The Coaster bus service runs parallel to the whole route so it’s easy to divide into smaller combinations. You can also take the train from Brighton to Shoreham. I planned the start of this trip from Shoreham train station so it’s a little shorter if you start from either the Downs Link end-point next to the River Adur or the bus stop on Shoreham High Street.

Navigation is very easy as you’ll be following the closest path to the sea. Much of it is signposted with either England Coast Path or (to Brighton) Monarch’s Way signs. After Brighton Pier the cliffs start to rise which gives you the option of either following the cliff-top path or the undercliff path. We always chose the undercliff path or whatever path was closest to the sea to give us a quieter, more interesting walk.

The scenery gets more pleasant the further east you travel. After Shoreham High Street you follow the busy A259 past industrial units and out-of-town stores for 2km until Shoreham Port. At the port, the path leaves the road, crosses the Adur and joins the Basin Road South. This is a good place to stop for a coffee and cake at either the Port Kitchen or Carats Café Bar to celebrate passing the grim part. Although Basin Road is still industrial, you’re now off the busy main road and next to the sea.

At the far eastern end of Basin Road you’ll arrive at Hove joining the promenade and a proper sea-side feel. Here you’ll have a lot of options for food and drink or to divert into Brighton town. After Brighton Pier keep to Madeira Drive, the lower / undercliff road and cut through Brighton Marina. After the Marina you’ll get to the undercliff path, a very quiet 2.5km stretch to Rottingdean. This is a good place to stop for a rest at the White Horse Hotel and get the bus back. Alternatively, as we did you could walk up to the Windmill on top of Beacon Hill for a great view. The view is especially good in the evening with the sun setting behind the windmill. From here, walk back down the hill to the A259 to the bus stop.

Richard gowerTrek, Coast, England, SussexComment
Bullock Hill: Brighton and Hove High Point

Significance: Highest peak in the Unitary Authority of Brighton and Hove
Member of: N/A
Parent Peak: Ditchling Beacon, NHN = Newmarket Hill
Historic County: Sussex (of which Black Down is the County Top)
Elevation: 197m
Date “climbed”: 25th June 2022
Coordinates: 50° 50' 23'' N, 0° 3' 37'' W
OS Trig Pillar: TP1764 - Bullocks Hill
Map: Brighton & Hove Map | Lewes & Burgess Hill | Ordnance Survey | OS Explorer Map OL11
Links: Wikipedia (Brighton & Hove), Peakbagger, Hillbagging

Most Unitary Authority High Points that I’ve visited so far have been dull parts of large towns with little to write home about. Bullock’s Hill is a nice exception here with an OS Trig Pillar and great views across to Brighton and the Coast. Be careful not to damage crops in the summer though as there’s no public right of way directly to the summit.

Richard gowerTrek, UK County Tops, South Downs, Sussex, EnglandComment