Best trails in Thursley Common National Nature Reserve, Surrey, England

Note: As of October 17, 2020 Tilford East Bridge on Tilford Street is closed to traffic, but open to pedestrians, although you'll be able to use the main (new) bridge in a couple of days. Its due to re-open mid-November. An undulating circular walk from Tilford village passing close to The Sands village and the historic ruins of Waverley Abbey. From the top of Crooksbury Hill there are good views to the South Downs on a clear day. This walk is published through a collaboration with the Surrey County Council. The walk involves several steady gradients plus one steeper climb to the top of Crooksbury Hill. The paths and tracks through the commons and woodlands are all unmade and can get quite muddy so good boots are recommended (or wellingtons in the winter). There are some sections of road walking so take care of traffic on these stretches. You will need to negotiate a long flight of steps but there are no kissing gates or stiles on route. Allow 3 hours, with an extra hour for the detour to Waverley Abbey. There are public toilets at the start of the walk, on Tilford Green by the school. If you are looking for refreshments there are several options. Tilford has a post office and tea room and there are three pubs along the route. The Barley Mow on Tilford Green is at the start/end of the walk, the Barley Mow at The Sands is at Waypoint 6 and The Donkey is at Waypoint 7. Ordnance Survey Map: Explorer 145 Guildford & Farnham. This walk follows public rights of way which cross private and public land. Information is included for your interest, but please respect people's privacy, keep dogs under control and remember the Countryside Code.Show more

Note: As of November 22, 2020 part of the trail has been reported as closed due to flooding. This is a circular walk around part of Thursley National Nature Reserve, just south of the village of Elstead in Surrey. The walk begins by exploring the easy-access boardwalk trail between Moat Pond and Pudmore Pond, designed to carry you over a section of wetland that is alive with dragonflies and damselflies in the summer months. The remainder of the route follows heathland paths through Thursley Common and Hankley Common, visiting the Lion's Mouth and Atlantic Wall along the way, reminders of the importance of this heathland for military training. There are beautiful far reaching views and plenty of wildlife to enjoy. The first stretch of the walk follows a boardwalk trail, more than one metre wide with a handful of passing places and no steps or other obstacles this stretch would be suitable for rugged pushchairs or all-terrain wheelchairs, giving a there-and-back walk of about 1.3 miles. The remainder of the route has several climbs and descents and follows heathland paths which can be muddy, rutted and deep with sand in some places. There are no stiles, steps, gates or livestock on route the only obstacles are gaps alongside vehicle gates (all about one metre wide). There are a couple of very short stretches along roads. The commons have lots of intersecting paths, so the Alltrails' map will be the best navigation tool. Hankley Common is used as an MOD Training Area, this is open to the public and no live ammunition is used, but you may come across troops training so please follow any local signage, temporary diversions and instructions from military personnel. Dogs are welcome on the entire trail, indeed it is a popular dog walking area, but they need to remain on leads for the boardwalk section. Allow 2.5 hours. Show more

An easy access walk around Elstead Common, enjoying sections of woodland, open areas of heath and several ponds and streams. This walk is published through a collaboration with the Surrey County Council. The walk is generally flat with only a few gentle gradients and can be lengthened or shortened. All the paths are wide tracks and there are no stiles, gates or steps on route. The first mile stretch is on a tarmac track and the next 0.75 miles follows a compacted stone track (which can have some shallow surface mud). By following these paths there and back, this version would be suitable for wheelchairs, pushchairs and disability buggies for most of the year. The remainder of the route follows unmade dirt and sand tracks that are all wide but can be very soft underfoot so wellies are a must in the winter. Dogs are welcome on the common, in fact it is a popular dog walking spot. The common is an MOD training area so visitors are asked to comply with all instructions and byelaws on noticeboards. There are no toilets or other facilities on the walk itself. Ordinance Survey Map: Explorer 145 Guildford and Farnham. This walk follows public footpaths and bridleways which cross private and public land.Show more

A circular walk from the pretty village of Thursley in Surrey. The walk starts at the centre of the village before heading out over Thursley Common Nature Reserve and then back though woodland and past equestrian paddocks to return to the village. The walk has just a few short and mostly gentle climbs and descents. There are a few kissing gates and two stiles, the first one has plenty of open fencing around suitable for dogs to pass through and the second is a stone stile which is around one foot high so should be easy enough for most dogs (and humans!). The walk follows heathland, woodland and farm paths all of which will be muddy after wet weather. There are a couple of very short sections of road walking. Approximate time 2 hours. Show more