After disentangling us from a larger walking group (meetup or similar) on the platform, 9 SWCies started the walk, soon caught up by a 10th walker, who after some questioning turned out to be looking for that other group though. Farnham Park was busy with people in the sunny weather and Upper Hale was a fine burb to walk through. Up into the MOD land of heaths with views, an iron age hillfort site, many fine woods and an 'interesting' descent from Beacon Hill.

2 turned off the route for early lunch at The Windmill Inn, which made sense as they were only going to walk to Fleet anyway.

Us 7 others walked on to The Foresters which had no tables inside until 4.30! but plenty of free ones outside.

We bumped into walker 10 there who had parked at Fleet and walked back along the route. Punters who wanted to have the carvery lunch had to wait to be called up, so we had a long-ish stay but it was all worth it: a very well run establishment.

On then through more woods and past ponds and lakes to the slightly notorious bit of this route: padlocked gates, no right of ways and water-logged meadows with fallen trees and unclear paths. Only it wasn't bad at all today: most gates were not locked, there was a path most times and the water was just about ok. 1 then went to Fleet.

Which left Hawley Common to cross and then exit from it quite near the station. 16.35 it was and the trains we had just missed, so to the Mr Bumble pub we went before the next trains back to London (or Fleet).

A very rewarding route despite much noise from the many A roads, a motorway, Farnborough Airport and a race course. Great for autumn, not too muddy (it's mainly sandy soil after all) and with many fine views.

In paragraph 13 the walk route crosses MoD land which was fenced off in 2018. There's a pedestrian gate on Bourley Road where the route enters this land, but if it's locked you'll have to skirt around the training area by heading north-west on the road and going round the edge of Tweseldown Racecourse. The OS map or a GPS device will be helpful.

As told to me today on a walk:

6 on the walk, 2 of those immediately disappearing into Farmham to buy something and they were not seen again, 2 finished in Fleet, 2 followed the gpx (but without the text) to the end. They encountered several padlocked gates along the stretch before and after the motorway (where the route seems to leave right-of-ways). Fine walk, despite that.

I hope to be on this walk but owing to another commitment I'm not sure if I'll make the train. If necessary I'll catch the next one and put my running shoes on! To echo Sean - the GPS should be reliable up to Fleet BUT please follow the directions (not the GPS) after the trig point on Beacon Hill, as there are some very steep slopes in this area! With any luck there may be village cricket at the Crown and Cushion.

Sorry, me again! I may be able to catch up more easily by starting from Aldershot. The routes converge just before Caesar's Camp (which is a nice spot for a break) so if I haven't made contact by then would someone mind giving me a quick call on 017583216430 so I know where you are? Cheers.

am planning on doing the walk so will be happy to call if needed.

Hey, I want to do this hike tomorrow, I know there are no leaders o this hike, but it's my first week in London, though, so it would be great to know how to recognize one of you.

Petrichorette: if you haven't already done so, click the 'New Members' button at the top of this page. People always hang around on the platform for a few minutes before setting off on the walk, so if you hold a copy of the instructions and look around you, you're bound to make contact. Recent Sunday walks have attracted 6-12 people so it probably won't be a big group. Hope you enjoy it!

[There might be some confusion if two or three other walking groups have decided to set off from Farnham station at this time. But then at least you'll have a choice of walks!]

5 walkers on this in overcast and humid weather, one of which had set off from Fleet station and reverse-walked part of the afternoon route to meet us at the lunch pub. Mixed bag this: tarmac heavy suburban start, interrupted by a nice stretch through Farnham Park. The walk comes alive upon entering the sandy hills and heathland up to Caesar's Camp, with fine views from there and for a stretch along the ridge. To lunch the route meanders through woods, along levadas (water channels) and car wide sandy tracks, quite enchanting this (apart from some road noise at times).

The Forester is a well-run, pretty pub with tasty food and a nice garden. Just a shame that they automatically add a service charge, even if you order at the bar! (they took it off w/o much ado, though).

I have to admit that I didn't like the next bit, to the Crown and Cushion: plenty of road crossings and noise, and past the M3 a stretch that - according to the walk author - was supposedly Open Access, but the OS map and the padlocked field gates suggest it isn't (i.e.: we were trespassing).

We stopped at the Crown & Cushion for refreshments and then strode on through more woods and along a few lakes w/o further trouble. All in all some very good elements but also an overall impression of crowded suburbia.

Some suggested changes to the text were relayed to the walk author.

p.s.: the walk post didn't mention that one can return from Blackwater to Paddington (via Reading), shaving off up to an hour for any West Londoner (earlier train with faster connnection to station closer to home). I only realised it when sitting down at the Crown & Cushion, and - yes, you guessed it - those few minutes spent there meant I missed the next Reading train...

emboldened

Anybody want to continue to Blackwater station for the full walk? - the latter part is complex so never gets scheduled, but a good walk in my biased opinion!

Mike I requested this walk and intend coming as this is excellent territory full of variety.

It does need some attention to the walk directions as people have got lost even on the early section during previous outings. If you're coming Im sure we should get round a bit quicker than my treck through the forest to Fleet station in the dark and pouring rain so lets keep fingers crossed for dry weather and see how the time goes.

Thanks Marion

By not doing the detour to Ewshot you save some mileage and the full walk becomes more feasible. As I said last time I've done the walk to Fleet on numerous occasions so I'll probably only bother if there is someone doing the whole walk. (Fleet to Blackwater would make for a good shorter winter walk some time).

Rats- can't attend now as need to go to trade fair at Ally Pally.

Unfortunately I can't now do this walk owing to a regular Weds commitment.

Do be careful to follow the directions for the steep descent from Beacon Hill (paragraph 12). I'm not sure how accurate the map is on this section (between points 2 and 3 on the map).

oh no Mike is not going.. anyone else going with a clue about the route ? otherwise M & manxy pants are dropping out.

This walk was severely delayed due to the incident at Surbiton and cancelled trains all morning plus the power failure on several tube lines. 3 people did attempt the walk and tried to make Blackwater but were still out to well past 7pm. The walk directions were again extremely challenging even with one walker with a GPS but it was agreed that the amazing scenery and variety of remote terrain are worth the effort if enough people with maps and GPS can take part. Hats off to those who attended.