Godalming to Haslemere Off Road

Route Overview:
A moderate off-road ride from Godalming station to Haslemere station taking in some of Surrey’s best heathlands including Rodborough Common, Thursley Common and the famous Devils Punchbowl.

Places of interest: The Three Horseshoes | Devils Punch Bowl NT  | Devils Punch Bowl Hotel | Gibbet Hill

Take the Northbound exit gate (you may have to use the bridge to cross) out of Godalming station on to a small road New Way and turn left, and continue right up a gravelled bridlepath. Join a metalled path that curves through farmland  and look out for Fitzpatrick Referrals (Channel 4’s Supervet) on the right hand side. Turn right on Eashing Lane and follow the road down and then up to open farmland. Take a bridlepath on the right which follows a field edge, turn left through woods and emerge on the Guildford road. Cross carefully and go straight through woods and through a large gate. Follow the road round and turn right down a gravel path by NFU. Turn right onto Lower Moushill Lane and go over the A3 bridge. Carry on as the road turns into a dirt path and as it finishes, go through and continue straight along the wide bridlepath. Follow the bridlepath through the Common until it reaches another metalled road, Borough Farm Road.
Cross the road onto the drive near a house, and follow the bridleway past it and downhill.

Turn left and continue until you reach a gate on to Thursley Common. Turn left through the woods on Bridleway 113. There are samller trails parallel to the Hammer Ponds off on the left which are interesting to explore, all join up with the main bridleway – keep going straight until you can see and hear the A3, and turn right up the bridlepath (still on the common).

This path runs parallel to the A3 but eventually emerges in Thursley village. Turn right along the road, passing The Three Horseshoes pub on the left. Just after turn left down The Street towards Thursley church. Follow the road for some time as the houses thin out and eventually the surface turns into a sandy gravel Byeway Open to All Traffic. After about 15 minutes you reach the entrance to the National Trust land at a cattle grid. At this point all routes reach the top, so you might want to explore; carrying on up the pebbled hill is the most direct.

Eventually the path joins a softer bridleway, with often large puddles, and it then joins a metalled path created when the tunnel was built. Follow this road around the rim of the Punch Bowl. A small detour to the left takes you to Gibbet Hill with amazing views back to the North Downs, and also  an Inspiring Views artwork Xylem. You will soon see the car park, cafe and viewpoint for a good coffee stop.

Cross the car park and look for a wide bridlepath that heads south-east and then dog legs down the valley – lots of views and trails to explore – they all head down the hill towards The Royal School. You should emerge on Farnham Lane, which you can follow all the way in to Wey Hill part of Haslemere. Turn left on to the main road, under a bridge and you will be at Haslemere station.