Highcombe hike
Take a challenging walk through ancient woodland and open heath to find out how the Punch Bowl was formed. On the way learn about the people who lived in the old 'broom-squires' cottages and how they made their living here over the centuries.
Start point
Devils Punch Bowl car park GU26 6ABTrail information
Difficulty
Full trail
DistanceMiles: 3.2 (km: 5.12)Total stages: 4
Total stages: 4
Start point
Devils Punch Bowl car park GU26 6AB
Stage 1
From the car park head northwards towards to the view point overlooking the Devil's Punch Bowl. Bear left and follow the footpath, identified by the yellow discs, through the trees. The path is skirting the south-west edge of the Devil's Punch Bowl.
Stage 2
After about 10 minutes you'll reach a major junction with an electricity substation diagonally on the left. At this junction bear right and go through the gateway/cattle grid onto the common. You are now at Highcombe Edge. Follow the signposted track with the Punch Bowl to the right. Ignore any paths breaking away to the left.
Stage 3
After 15 minutes or so, you'll reach a split in the path. Take the smaller right-hand path off the main track and pass by the Robertson Memorial. Continue past the obelisk, rejoining the main gravel surfaced track on a gentle downward incline to arrive, after about 30 minutes, at a major intersection.
Stage 4
Turn hard right and continue downhill. After 300 metres, ignoring the left-hand path, take the path as it flattens out to the south on your way back to the car park. If there's been wet weather, the track here can be muddy. After about 40 minutes, you'll come to a gateway on your left. Continue forward through a glade of beech and silver birch trees before reaching an open area. Aim for the gate into the woods. Continue through the ancient woodland until the path heads up, taking you out of the Devil's Punch Bowl. Continue straight ahead, ignoring paths to the right and left. This is the most demanding uphill section. Take care towards the end of the ascent where the surface becomes quite rough underfoot. At the top go sharp right through the gateway bringing you back to the view point with the Devil's Punch Bowl car park to the left.
End point
Devils Punch Bowl car park GU26 6AB
Trail map
Route map for the Highcombe hike | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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