Reigate Hill walk
Enjoy an exhilarating walk across Reigate Hill and learn how man has influenced the history on the hill.
Parking
Please park responsibly and if the area is busy on your arrival, please help us keep everyone safe by coming back another time.
Total steps: 14
Total steps: 14
Start point
Wray Lane car park, Reigate Hill, grid ref: TQ262523 Please note: this is not a waymarked route.
Step 1
From Wray Lane car park, walk west along the North Downs Way, crossing over the footbridge, which was refurbished in 2011.
Step 2
Continue to follow the North Downs Way. On your left, you'll pass the entrance to Reigate Fort.
Step 3
The open area of mowed grass to your left is where a US Flying Fortress crashed into Reigate Hill on 19 March 1945.
Step 4
As you pass through the wooden gate, you'll see the Inglis Memorial to your left. This is the first opportunity to experience the spectacular views towards Box Hill and Leith Hill in the West, and the South Downs in the South. Continue to follow the North Downs Way along the top of the hill. Keep an eye out for the Belted Galloway cattle that help us to manage the chalk downland by grazing the unwanted scrub.
Step 5
Pass through the wooden gate and continue to follow the North Downs Way until you come to a T-junction with three metal posts. Turn left onto the tarmac track and continue to follow the North Downs Way.
Step 6
As you walk along the track, you'll see a large white cast-iron post to your left. This is a Coal Tax post. Pass through the metal posts and head downhill, continuing along the North Downs Way. Caution: steep descent.
Step 7
You’ll reach a crossroads, marked by a fingerpost. Turn left here and follow the path – now fairly flat – along the bottom of the Downs through yew woodland. Ignore footpaths to your right and left.
Step 8
You’ll come to a yellow waymarker post for the North Downs Ridge walk. Follow the arrow and go down the steps. You’ll see how the chalk and stone have been carved out in mining activity, now overgrown with beech trees. Continue along the path, following the yellow marker posts.
Step 9
At the crossroads, continue straight following the yellow signs for the North Downs Ridge Walk.
Step 10
At the 'y' junction, take the left fork and continue to follow the yellow arrows keeping the ridge and woodland to your left.
Step 11
You'll see a National Trust Omega sign for the Pilgrims Way to your right. Pass this sign and emerge onto Underhill Park Road. Follow the tarmac road ahead. Caution: watch out for vehicles. Please put dogs on leads.
Step 12
As the road bends to the right, bear left uphill, immediately after, follow the blue arrow for the Millennium trail by taking a sharp left to continue up the unsurfaced Reigate Hill path marked by two small metal posts. Caution: steep, uneven ascent.
Step 13
Halfway up the hill, you'll see the Simpson Memorial and a bench just off the path on the left. Here you can stop for a rest and take in the views looking towards Box Hill and Leith Hill. The lowland in the centre and far distances is known as The Weald; Old English for 'wood' which once covered this whole area. To the west, look out for Gatwick airport, and to the south, cast your eye to the horizon for a glimpse of the South Downs.
Step 14
Pass through the gate and immediately turn right up the stone steps. At the top, you'll find yourself back at the Inglis Memorial. Turn right to continue east along the North Downs Way back to Wray Lane car park.
End point
Wray Lane car park, Reigate Hill, grid ref: TQ262523
Trail map
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