Leith Hill heathland walk
With lots of points of interest along the way, this circular heathland trail takes you through a landscape of heather, bracken, bilberry, pine and birch.
Near to
Leith HillStart point
Leith Hill Tower, grid ref: TQ139431Trail information
Waymarked walk
Along with the description below, the route is marked with green-topped posts.
Total stages: 8
Total stages: 8
Start point
Leith Hill Tower, grid ref: TQ139431
Stage 1
Head east downhill away from the tower. Beware of cyclists. At the crossroads, head straight through the gate signposted by a National Trust Omega sigs for Duke's Warren. Continue uphill as the path bends to the right. Take the first left and follow the ridge, opening to views across the heathland and extending to the North Downs way.
Stage 2
As the path curves back around, turn left keeping to the ridge. Here you will pass the Tilling Springs below which form the Tillingbourne source where the two sides of the valley converge. Soon after, continue straight at the crossroads along the level path.
Stage 3
Make a sharp right uphill through the gap in the trees. The path levels and opens out to an expanse of heathland. Proceed along the main path, passing through a kissing gate.
Stage 4
Turn right at the crossroads.
Stage 5
Reaching the Coldharbour cricket pitch, take a left at the 'T' junction, soon followed by a right at the crossroads past the National Trust information board. Take the path marked by the green-topped post into the woodland and bear right.
Stage 6
Keep to the main path through the dense woodland.
Stage 7
Follow the path, with views across the south east to your left. In the winter of 1944, the steep hillside claimed several lives after four US Douglas Dakota aircraft crashed into the hillside, leaving no survivors.
Stage 8
Return to the crossroads at Step 1, and proceed back up to the tower to complete the walk.
End point
Leith Hill Tower, grid ref: TQ139431
Trail map
The Leith Hill heathland walk, Surrey | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
Get in touch
near Coldharbour village, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 6LU