Surrey

Reigate Hill walk

Enjoy an exhilarating walk across Reigate Hill and learn how man has influenced the history on the hill.

Near to

Reigate Hill and Gatton Park

Start point

Wray Lane car park, Reigate Hill, grid ref: TQ262523 Please note: this is not a waymarked route.

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 3.3 (km: 5.28)

Duration2 hours to 2 hours 15 mins

Dog friendly***

*Fairly level paths with steep descent on a chalk path. Not suitable for pushchairs due to steps. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**The route is not suitable for wheelchairs as there are steps on part of the trail. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs are welcome. Please keep them on leads when livestock are grazing. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Parking

Please park responsibly and if the area is busy on your arrival, please help us keep everyone safe by coming back another time.

Address
Wray Lane car park, Reigate Hill
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Reigate station, 1 mile (1.6km).
On foot
Comprehensive network of rights of way, including the North Downs National Trail.
By bus
Metro Bus 460, Redhill to Epsom, daily except Sunday, alight Reigate Hill. Metro Bus 420, Redhill to Sutton, Monday to Saturday, alight Reigate Hill.
Cycling
Surrey Cycleway runs along the outskirts of Reigate, a few miles from the Fort. National Cycle Network Route 21 also runs close to the Fort.
National Cycle Network
By road
Exit M25 at J8 and take A217 south. Within 0.25 miles the road forks; take the left fork, turn right and immediately left into Wray Lane car park.
Total stages: 14
Total stages: 14
Start point
Wray Lane car park, Reigate Hill, grid ref: TQ262523 Please note: this is not a waymarked route.
Stage 1
From Wray Lane car park, walk west along the North Downs Way, crossing over the footbridge, which was refurbished in 2011.
Stage 2
Continue to follow the North Downs Way. On your left, you'll pass the entrance to Reigate Fort.
Step back in time on a visit to Reigate Fort in Surrey | © National Trust Images/Andrew Butler
Stage 3
The open area of mowed grass to your left is where a US Flying Fortress crashed into Reigate Hill on 19 March 1945.
US Second World War plane crash
On 19 March 1945, aircraft from US 384th Bomber Group, stationed at 1O6 Grafton-Underwood in Northamptonshire, were returning from a bombing raid on Plauen, near the Czech border. The planes usually flew in formation, for protection from enemy fighters, but because of the dense cloud (solid at 800ft/244m) the planes split up. There was less cloud at 300ft (91m) and flying too low, the Flying Fortress 43-39035 SO-F sadly crashed into Reigate Hill at 1740 hours.
Stage 4
As you pass through the wooden gate, you'll see the Inglis Memorial to your left. This is the first opportunity to experience the spectacular views towards Box Hill and Leith Hill in the West, and the South Downs in the South. Continue to follow the North Downs Way along the top of the hill. Keep an eye out for the Belted Galloway cattle that help us to manage the chalk downland by grazing the unwanted scrub.
Stage 5
Pass through the wooden gate and continue to follow the North Downs Way until you come to a T-junction with three metal posts. Turn left onto the tarmac track and continue to follow the North Downs Way.
Stage 6
As you walk along the track, you'll see a large white cast-iron post to your left. This is a Coal Tax post. Pass through the metal posts and head downhill, continuing along the North Downs Way. Caution: steep descent.
Stage 7
You’ll reach a crossroads, marked by a fingerpost. Turn left here and follow the path – now fairly flat – along the bottom of the Downs through yew woodland. Ignore footpaths to your right and left.
Stage 8
You’ll come to a yellow waymarker post for the North Downs Ridge walk. Follow the arrow and go down the steps. You’ll see how the chalk and stone have been carved out in mining activity, now overgrown with beech trees. Continue along the path, following the yellow marker posts.
Explore some of Reigate's heritage along the ridge walk | © National Trust/Chris Worsley
Stage 9
At the crossroads, continue straight following the yellow signs for the North Downs Ridge Walk.
Stage 10
At the 'y' junction, take the left fork and continue to follow the yellow arrows keeping the ridge and woodland to your left.
Stage 11
You'll see a National Trust Omega sign for the Pilgrims Way to your right. Pass this sign and emerge onto Underhill Park Road. Follow the tarmac road ahead. Caution: watch out for vehicles. Please put dogs on leads.
Stage 12
As the road bends to the right, bear left uphill, immediately after, follow the blue arrow for the Millennium trail by taking a sharp left to continue up the unsurfaced Reigate Hill path marked by two small metal posts. Caution: steep, uneven ascent.
Stage 13
Halfway up the hill, you'll see the Simpson Memorial and a bench just off the path on the left. Here you can stop for a rest and take in the views looking towards Box Hill and Leith Hill. The lowland in the centre and far distances is known as The Weald; Old English for 'wood' which once covered this whole area. To the west, look out for Gatwick airport, and to the south, cast your eye to the horizon for a glimpse of the South Downs.
Stage 14
Pass through the gate and immediately turn right up the stone steps. At the top, you'll find yourself back at the Inglis Memorial. Turn right to continue east along the North Downs Way back to Wray Lane car park.
End point
Wray Lane car park, Reigate Hill, grid ref: TQ262523
Trail map
Map route for Reigate Hill walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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The view over the escarpment of the North Downs from Reigate Fort, Surrey. Rolling green hills overlook a town below.

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