Description
The Hills to Harbour Trail is a series of self-guided walking routes that link the stations along the railway line between Guildford and Portsmouth. You can walk between any pair of stations.
Walk 04 is 3.1 miles long and takes you from Milford to Witley railway station.
You will pass the millponds of the River Ock valley on your way to the village of Witley. There is then a gentle climb to slightly higher ground for views of the fields and wooded hills of Surrey.
There is one pub about half-way along the route but nowhere to buy food or drink close to the stations.
There are toilets at both stations but opening times may be restricted.
Start and End
Milford/Witley
Distance
3.1 miles
Time
1 hour 45 mins
Grade
3/10 - Initially level paths followed by a gentle climb and descent.
Accessibility
Not push/wheelchair accessible
Upload the GPX file to your walking app
Walk Instructions
- Leave the station via the London bound platform 1. Cross the road and follow the footpath running alongside the railway. The path follows the rail line for about a third of a mile and then bends right away from the railway.
- The path becomes a track. When the track becomes metalled, look out for Lakes Cottage on your left. Go straight ahead along the footpath.
- At Mill Lane (un-signed) with Crossways Cottage in front of you, turn right.
- Cross the main road going slightly to your right and into Roke Lane.
- Turn left along the track (Westfields).
- Continue forward and gently uphill for a little over a quarter of a mile until you get to the church yard. Pass through the church yard with the church to your left and turn right along Church Lane (un-signed.)
(There is a pub close by down Church Lane to your left.) - Immediately after the end of speed limit signs, bear left following the footpath sign.
- Bear right along the footpath.
Seat - Follow the footpath parallel to the road for about a third of a mile. (There are some good views over the Surrey countryside to the left.) When the path re-joins the road, continue forward.
- Pass Hangerfield on your left. Ignore the footpath on your left at Hangerfield Cottage and continue forward past Winkford Lodge on your right. This is a timber framed house with herring-bone brick in-fill. After another 150 yards, bear left along the footpath.
- Follow the footpath down the hill to the road (Bannacle Hill Road.) Cross the road and continue straight ahead. (You are joining the Greensand Way at this point.)
Seats – A short way down the hill there is a bench and a seat. It is recommended to keep forward at this point.
(The path to the left, just beyond the seats, descends more directly but is very steep. The recommended route follows a more gentle descent.) - At the bottom of the hill by the telephone box, turn sharp left to follow the Brook Road (un-signed).
- After about 200 yards, at the bottom of the dip, bear right along the track.
- In just over a third of a mile, turn right at the cross paths. This takes you away from the Greensand Way to drop down the hill to Witley Station.
- The path brings you out directly onto the London bound platform, 1, of Witley Station.
Safe Walking
Walking is a sociable activity so travel with someone else if you can. It’s also best for safety. Follow the usual walking guidelines about clothing, footwear, drinks, food, and first aid kit. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back
Refreshments
Many stations have opportunities nearby for refreshments when you arrive. The towns have cafes and pubs, and there are some along the route as well. They may have more restricted opening than those in London, particularly for serving food, so check websites for opening times when planning.
Reporting footpath issues
The Hills to Harbour Trail crosses three counties, all of which have good, on-line facilities for reporting rights of way issues. If you find something that needs fixing, please report it on the appropriate webpage.
Search for “report rights of way” followed by the county name.