Box Hill Stepping Stones walk
Please note the Stepping Stones are closed for restoration from May 2022. We expect it to reopen in July.
The perfect place for a family day out
A lovely walk down to the River Mole and back up. The Stepping Stones are an iconic landmark in this part of Surrey and they're a perfect spot to stop and watch the river flow by. This walk takes in some glorious views of the Surrey Hills and passes by one of Box Hill's oldest buildings, the Fort.
Map
Start:
National Trust Visitor Centre at the top of Box Hill, grid ref: TQ178513
1
From the visitor centre at the top of Box Hill, follow the surfaced path away from the visitor centre. Ignore the track going off to your right and continue along the surfaced path running parallel to the road and you'll see the view opening out in front of you.
National Trust Visitor Centre
Why not buy a bottle of water and an energy boosting flapjack from the servery? There aren't any places along the way to get a drink.
2
Once you've admired the view from Salomons Memorial, walk down the sloped path which runs below the viewpoint. Take a right and continue along this path.
The view
Before you start the descent to the river Mole, take a few minutes to look at the glorious view. You're looking almost due south, over the Weald, and in the far distance, on a clear day, you'll see the South Downs (Box Hill forms part of the North Downs).
3
You'll see some steps cut into the ground on your left; follow these downhill through the Yew woods. There are 275 steps to the bottom - take care as they can be slippery sometimes. Continue along this path; on the left you'll catch glimpses of the river Mole.
4
Continue downhill. As the path flattens you'll reach a fork in the path. Take the left fork signed to the Stepping Stones. The River Mole and Stepping Stones are in front of you. You have a choice here. Either take a right at the rivers' edge and follow the riverside path (you can cross the river at the bridge a little further along), or cross the Stepping Stones and follow the path running parallel to the river on the other side.
The Stepping Stones
During the Second World War, the Stepping Stones were removed in case of invasion. If you sit still enough, you might catch a glimpse of an electric blue kingfisher.
5
Once you've reached the footbridge, go through the gate next to it. This brings you out into a large open space. This is called Burford Meadow. Continue through the meadow. On the opposite bank of the river there are wooded chalk cliffs. These are known as the Whites.
6
At the far end of Burford Meadow there will be a road bridge in front of you. Follow the path upwards, just to the left of the bridge and you'll come out on the pavement next to the A24. Take a right and cross the river and walk past the hotel on your right hand side. Continue along the pavement.
7
Take the right hand path immediately after the hotel. At the fork, take the left hand grassy track and continue heading directly uphill.
8
Join the wide grassy path on the ridge of the hill. The grassy slope becomes a white chalk path, follow it uphill.
9
Take the pathway on your left. As it joins the stony path, take a right and continue as it heads uphill.
10
You'll pass an old building on your right. This is Box Hill Fort. You can walk all around the outside but not inside as there are bats living in it. Continue up the stony track and turn right at the road to return to the visitor centre. Congratulations! You made it. Why not treat yourself at the café to celebrate?
Box Hill Fort
Box Hill Fort was built in the late 1800s during a crisis period in British history. It is one of 13 military installations forming a series of defences 72 miles (116km) long on the North Downs, known as the London Defence Scheme. Pick up our Box Hill Fort leaflet on site to find out more.
End:
National Trust Visitor Centre at the top of Box Hill, grid ref: TQ178513
