Box Hill train to Stepping Stones walk
This walk starts at Box Hill and Westhumble station and takes you up to the peak of Box Hill following the waymarked Stepping Stones Path. From here you can enjoy the famous views before coming down, crossing the River Mole and returning to the station.
Near to
Box HillStart point
Box Hill and Westhumble station, Westhumble RH5 6BT. Grid ref: TQ167518Trail information
Paths in winter
The paths are well maintained but may become slippery in wet or wintry weather. Please take care with your footing and wear suitable footwear for the conditions.
Total stages: 11
Total stages: 11
Start point
Box Hill and Westhumble station, Westhumble RH5 6BT. Grid ref: TQ167518
Stage 1
Leave the train station and walk through the car park. Turn right at the road, cross the road to reach the pavement and walk down the road. Go past the Stepping Stones pub and cross over the road to go through the underpass beneath the A24. On the far side, turn left up on the main road. Go over the river bridge and follow the road round to the right by the Burford Bridge Hotel.
Stage 2
Take the right-hand path immediately after the hotel. At the fork, take the left-hand grassy track and continue heading directly uphill. This is a steep climb but the hillside is a haven for wild flowers and butterflies during spring and summer months. Break the climb with a little nature spotting.
Stage 3
Join the wide grassy path on the ridge of the hill. The grassy slope becomes a white chalk path, follow it uphill, keeping a lookout for wild flowers around you.
Stage 4
Take the pathway on your left. As it joins the stony path, take a right and continue as it heads uphill.
Stage 5
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 it's currently home to a colony of bats. Continue up the stony track and turn right at the road to return to the visitor centre.
Stage 6
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.
Stage 7
Once you've admired the view from Salomon's Memorial, walk down the sloped path that runs below the viewpoint. Take a right and continue along this path.
Stage 8
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.
Stage 9
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. Ordinarily, 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. At the moment, however, the Stepping Stones are awaiting repair, so you're advised to use the bridge.
Stage 10
Once you've reached the footbridge, go through the gate next to it on the right hand side. This brings you out into a large open field called Burford Meadow. Follow the path through the meadow. On the opposite bank of the river there are wooded chalk cliffs. These are known as the Whites.
Stage 11
The path ends on the main A24 road by a bridge. Turn left and go immediately down through the underpass. At the end turn left and go up out and then turn right along Westhumble Street. Go past the Stepping Stones pub and then cross the road for the pavement on the other side. Continue along here until you reach the station of the left hand side. The Pilgrim café (not National Trust) here serves tea, coffees, cakes and ice cream – a lovely opportunity to celebrate your walk.
End point
Box Hill and Westhumble station, Westhumble RH5 6BT. Grid ref: TQ167518
Trail map
Box Hill Stepping Stones walk route map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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