Golden Valley woodland walk
Surrey
A relatively short but challenging woodland walk through the Golden Valley, which particularly lives up to its name in autumn when the yellow and orange leaves of the beeches, sycamores and oaks contrast beautifully with the dark green Scots pines.
Start point
National Trust car park at Devil's Punch Bowl, grid ref SU 88810 35729, or National Trust Golden Valley car park, grid ref GU26 6SQTrail information
*The route is on rough tracks with a steep uphill and downhill section. For further details, see Terrain section.
**Includes steep parts, uneven ground and muddy areas. For further details, see Access section.
***Keep dogs on a lead April–September and near livestock. For further details, see Facilities section.
Total stages: 4
Total stages: 4
Start point
National Trust car park at Devil's Punch Bowl, grid ref SU 88810 35729, or National Trust Golden Valley car park, grid ref GU26 6SQ
Stage 1
From the Devil's Punch Bowl car park, walk north to the viewpoint. Bear left and follow the footpath through the trees, skirting the south-west edge of the Punch Bowl. After 10 minutes, you'll reach a major junction with an electricity substation diagonally on the left. Take a sharp left and continue along the unpaved roadway. After about 5 minutes, you'll arrive at the main Hindhead to Farnham road. Cross the road and bear left along the pavement for about 50m to a muddy parking area with a National Trust sign welcoming you to the Golden Valley. You can also start your walk at this point if you choose to park here (postcode GU26 6SQ).
Stage 2
Enter the woods at the post with the Red Golden Valley disc sign. Take the right fork heading down into the valley. This is a rough track so take care.
Stage 3
After about 15 minutes, you'll arrive at a fence line where a sign points left up a relatively steep and rutted path. At the top of the slope turn right, continuing to follow the path, which is well signed. The path eventually curves to the left, with the rest of the trail relatively flat as it hugs the edge of the valley you've emerged from. Towards the end of the walk, you'll spot some housing through the trees to right. The path brings you back to the original entrance to the woods and the main road.
Stage 4
From here, you can choose to retrace your steps through the valley or go directly back to the car park you started in. To return to the Devil's Punch Bowl car park, start by turning right along the pavement. Cross Tower Road, passing the garage and parade of shops on the right, until you reach the mini roundabouts. Turn left here and follow the road back to the car park.
End point
National Trust car park at Devil's Punch Bowl, grid ref SU 88810 35729, or National Trust Golden Valley car park, grid ref GU26 6SQ
Trail map
Oak leaves in September in Florence Court garden, Co Fermanagh | © National Trust Images / John Millar
More near here
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