Haslemere Outer Orbital Path walk

26.8 km (16.6 mi), with 623m ascent/descent. For a shorter or longer walk see below Walk Options.

8 out of 10, with 6 ½ hours walking time. For the whole outing, including trains, sights and meals, allow at least 10 hours.

This is an interesting circular route orbiting around Haslemere, covering plenty of areas and sights familiar from other SWC walks, but also lots of new ground, for example Bramshott Common, the Waggoner’s Wells ponds, Whitmore Vale, Grayswood, Ansteadbrook and the woods west of Black Down. The Haslemere Outer Orbital Path (HOOP) was originally conceived by Neil Hook and is featured – with written directions – on his website.

The route starts at a bus stop in Kingsley Green served by an hourly service (Mon-Sat), 3 km outside of Haslemere, but additional start or finish points can usefully be accessed either by other bus lines or on foot, along spoke routes from Haslemere Station, using some of the existing SWC walks. For details see below. Fully written directions for the spoke routes are available in the walk directions pdf linked above.

Bus Lines linking to the HOOP
Line 23 Alton – Haslemere, stops at Grayshott, The Fox & Pelican, 10.3 km into the route. Hourly service Mon-Fri, every 2 hours Sat;
Line 19 Aldershot – Haslemere, stops at Hindhead, Crossroads, 12.5 km into the route. Roughly 2-hourly service Mon-Fri, 2 buses on Sat;
Line 70 Guildford – Midhurst (via Haslemere Station), stops at Grayswood, Church, 16.9 km into the route. Hourly service Mon-Sat;
Line 71 Guildford – Midhurst (via Haslemere Station), stops at Ansteadbrook, Petworth Road, 20.2 km into the route. Hourly service Mon-Sat, 2-hourly Sun.

Spokes and Bus Stops throughout the route
Marley Common spoke route: after 1.1 km, 59m ascent/11m descent;
Grayshott bus stop: after 10.3 km, 215m ascent/169m descent;
Hindhead Crossroads bus stop: after 12.5 km, 278m ascent/186m descent;
Hindhead spoke route: after 12.8 km, 286m ascent/186m descent;
Gibbet Hill spoke route: after 13.7 km, 297m ascent/186m descent;
Grayswood bus stop: after 16.9 km, 347m ascent/388m descent:
Imbhams Farm spoke route: after 18.4 km, 349m ascent/411m descent;
Ansteadbrook bus stop: after 20.2 km, 360m ascent/424m descent;
Barfold Wood spoke route: after 21.4 km, 427m ascent/426m ascent;
Ridden Corner spoke route: after 24.3 km, 540m ascent/469m descent.

Spoke routes and bus stops are shown on the route map linked above.

OS Explorer: OL33 (Haslemere & Petersfield)
OS Landranger: 186 (Aldershot & Guildford)

Kiln Meadow Bus Stop in Kingsley Green, map reference SU 895 307, is 64 km southwest of Charing Cross, 154m above sea level and in West Sussex. It is served by bus line 70 Guildford – Midhurst (via Haslemere Station), with an hourly service Mon-Sat. Return Fare from Haslemere (12/20): £5.00. Haslemere station is on the Portsmouth Direct Line from London Waterloo to Portsmouth Harbour, with up to four trains an hour Mon-Sat (two on Sundays). Journey time is from 48 minutes Mon-Sat (56 minutes on Sundays).

Saturday Walkers’ Club: Take a train no later than 09.30.

The Prince of Wales, Hammer Vale, 4.6 km into the route;
Molly’s Cottage Artisan Bakery, Grayshott (pre-order for pickup from a box on the route), 9.2 km into the route;
The Fox & Pelican, Grayshott, 10.3 km into the route;
Café Twenty5, Hindhead, 12.6 km into the route;
The Devil’s Punch Bowl, Hindhead, 12.8 km into the route;
The National Trust Café, Hindhead, 12.8 km into the route;
The Wheatsheaf Inn, Grayswood, 16.7 km into the route.

Harper’s Steakhouse & Bar, opposite Haslemere Station.

After the walk, please leave a comment, it really helps. Thanks!

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National Rail: 03457 48 49 50 • Traveline (bus times): 0871 200 22 33 (12p/min) • TFL (London) : 0343 222 1234

Jul-21 Thomas G