Climbing those endless steep slopes on the Box Hill Hike will earn you a nice bragging right. You’ve aced one of the Surrey Three Peaks – Box Hill, Holmbury Hill, Leith Hill.

For those serious about boosting your step count, this could be it. The demanding Surrey walking trail will get the job done.

But first, ask yourself this question: exactly how much of a boost are you hoping to get from your next hiking session? Here’s why…

In the family of trails at Box Hill, just call the Box Hill Hike ‘Big Papa’ (my calves are still singing!)

But don’t just take my word for it, check out the National Trust (NT) description here.

Now choose your trail carefully!

An Introduction to Box Hill in Surrey, England

Box Hill is part of the North Downs in the county of Surrey in South East England. It stands tall at 224 meters and is rather well-placed in the countryside.

From the summit, the sweeping views of Mole Valley are pretty sweet – from rolling fields as far as the eye can see to one of the tallest church spires in all of England at St. Martin’s Church in Dorking.

Visitors to the hill will immediately recognize why this landscape forms part of Surrey Hill’s designated Area of Natural Beauty (AONB).

Walkers from near and far flock here, including hiking groups, couples, families, even dog-walkers.

The other devoted Box Hill fans are cyclists. You’d be hard-pressed to miss the Lycra-clad hill gurus as they whizz by, hungry to feel the muscle burn on Zig Zag road.

Fun fact: Box Hill hosted road cycling in the London 2012 Olympics.

Last but never least, Box Hill is also a hotspot for daytrippers from London. It is a stone’s throw away, merely 30km southwest of the city and very straightforward and affordable to get to.

Also read: Chess Valley Walk, a Beautiful Day Hike Near London

Why is it called Box Hill?

As names of places in the UK do, this one leaves you guessing. Here’s the story behind it: the name was inspired by box trees planted on the hill’s slopes. It’s that simple.

How do you get to Box Hill from London?

Here’s what makes Box Hill Hike one of the best walks near London: it’s simple to get to.

There are several hassle-free options for getting to Box Hill from London, the most popular being to grab a Southwestern train from one of the major hubs.

If driving is your preference, there are lots of parking options available.

Getting to Box Hill by train 

From London Victoria or London Waterloo station, take the Dorking-bound Southwestern train. Either train will whisk you right to the Box Hill & Westhumble railway station, with only a few stops in-between.

And the best part of all: it takes under an hour to travel from London to Box Hill by train.

An off-peak roundtrip from London Victoria to Box Hill & Westhumble cost me £10.10. No need to think twice!

Arriving by car and parking at Box Hill

Drivers will be happy to learn that there are plenty of parking options here. Conveniently, the main NT car park is right by the summit while other options include the Box Hill East, Old Fort, or Stepping Stones NT car parks.

Parking at Box Hill is free to NT members. Otherwise it’s £1.50 per hour for the first 2 hours, £4 for up to 4 hours or £6 for 5 or more hours.

Alternatively, there are a number of non-NT parking options such as Burford Bridge Hotel carpark.

Where does Box Hill Hike start?

The official starting point for walkers is immediately in the area of the National Trust Visitor Centre which is located on the summit of Box Hill.

Of course, if arriving by train, your hike begins at the station.

Spoiler: you’ll get your first climb of the day in from this start. Pump it up!

How long is the Box Hill Hike?

Box Hill Hike is 8 miles long. It is a circular walk and may typically take anywhere between 4-6 hours. It took us around 5 hours – a half hour which can be credited to a leisurely pub visit midway through the walk.

Is Box Hill Hike circular walk difficult?

Yes, the Box Hill Hike is challenging but definitely achievable! It is considered one of the best walks in Surrey which is hardly a surprise – it delivers a great workout. So much so that it is a popular training route for professional hikers gearing up to take on the next big challenge.

Ultimately, it comes down to your personal threshold, plus what you want from the day out. (Confession: I probably won’t be back on this trail anytime soon – unless I’m working towards a special fitness goal – but I definitely plan to return to try another Box Hill walks. Moderate next time!)

Is Box Hill good for kids and novice walkers?

There are a number of trails at Box Hill and the difficulty levels vary. Let’s put Box Hill Hike aside for a moment.

Other (easier) trails to enjoy include Happy Valley Circular, Juniper Top Circular, or the Stepping Stones Walk, all which the National Trust classifies as “Moderate”.

Also read: Hassocks to Lewes walk on the South Downs Way

Box Hill Natural Play Trail

There is a woodlands section at Box Hill with a curated experience for the kids: the Box Hill Natural Play Trail. It’s 2 miles of thrilling adventures in the woods for the young ones.

Storytime: Recap of My Box Hill Hike Experience

Our group of 6 arrives in Box Hill at noon on a sunny day for a highly anticipated hike in Surrey Hills. As much as we love city life, these little escapes from London to the countryside are quite literally a breath of fresh air. 

Walking from the Box Hill train station to the starting point takes us 25 minutes.

Overall, it’s an easy journey – easy to see why it’s rated so high as one of the best walks near London.

Box Hill & Westhumble train station to visitor centre

From the station we head towards the A24, cross it via an underpass and go past the Mercure Box Hill Burford Bridge Hotel. It is a brief walk to the foot of the hill where we meet the first significant incline of the day. A teaser of things to come…

As we make slow progress up Box Hill Trail, a light rain starts and I silently chastise myself for leaving home without a rain jacket. When will I ever learn to simply get with British weather program.

Rain (or sweat?) on our foreheads – hard to tell – we huff and puff our way up the grassy slope.

Not going to lie, as we approach the visitor centre the question of whether we should go with a less ambitious trail crosses my mind fleetingly…

Starting point of Box Hill Hike to Broadwood’s Folly

The first section of the walk is an easy trek through woodlands. It eventually opens up to views of Lodge Hill. Off in the distance you can spot where we initially ascended. While this scene is pretty, it is an old tower structure that appears shortly after that proves to be the highlight of this trail section.

Meet Broadwood’s Folly (or “Broadwood’s Tower”).

Don’t know what “folly” in architectural terms refers to? Neither did I prior to this moment.

A folly is an ornamental building. It exists strictly to evoke pleasure vs. meet any profound purpose as, say…sheltering man. 

In the case of Broadwood’s Tower, it’s safe to say that it would have served as someone’s private oasis when the yearning to enjoy tranquil views of the Surrey landscape arose.

Broadwood’s Folly to Mickleham Village

Here comes the portion of the hike that will live in your head for a long time to come: climbing the never-ending steps leading to Mickleham Downs.

If you’re a glass half full type of person, then you’ll appreciate that most of the steep climbs on Box Hill Hike are made “less” challenging thanks to steps built into the land.

If you’re not, simply moan and groan your way up. It’s with good reason!

Also read: Walking up Roseberry Topping, Yorkshire’s Matterhorn

We plod on and arrive in Mickleham village. A path takes us through St Michael’s Churchyard.

Walking route signs direct us onto a narrow village path. Red-bricked homes, stone walls and farm animals grazing provide a welcome change of scenery from the woodlands.

So far, the route is very well waymarked and we make trail connections easily. Just follow those red arrows!

Finally, we arrive at the midway point.

It’s pub o’clock.

Rest stop for Box Hill hikers: King William IV Pub

Meet the King William IV pub. Set in a foothill of the Surrey village of Mickleham, it is a remarkable find.

The pub’s exterior is dripping in garden splendour – think elegant vines and climbing plants everywhere.

King William IV proves to be a quality affair – from food, to service, to atmosphere.

Of course, if you prefer to explore other pub options, stomp over instead to the Running Horses pub nearby.

Tip for Box Hill Hikers: Mickleham lies below Box Hill. An immediate ascent awaits you when rejoining the trail from the pub. Do keep this top of mind as you’re ordering!

Change of Scenery in Mickleham Downs

An unusual sight meets us soon after getting back on the trail. Two over-turned vehicles are lying off to one side. We look around at the deeply wooded area and are quite puzzled as to how they got here.

Thankfully, greener pastures await. Literally.

A wide grassy meadow emerges, and we slow the pace to a leisurely amble. I think I become a bit spellbound as we step into what feel’s like a summer’s dream. (Cheesy, but true…)

A carpet of bluebells and wild flora unfolds across the vast field. Butterflies dance among the petals – loads of them!

My enchanted garden is really called “The Gallops” in the Mickleham Downs (or “Mickleham Gallops”).

Wondering why it is called “The Gallops”? Apparently, the field once served as an equestrian training ground for Epsom race horses. 

The latter section of Box Hill Hike brings more steep ascents and descents, albeit more gradual slopes this time. The vistas are unremarkable. That earthy appeal of long stretches of woodland expired an hour or two ago…

Thankfully, we are treated to some fantastic parting scenes on the final leg.

Salomon’s Memorial Box Hill Viewpoint

Salomon’s Memorial viewpoint at Box Hill (Salomon refers to the benefactor of the land) is the grand prize that awaits us at the end of the hike. This slice of summit heaven is not just the neighbourhood gem, it is one of the most iconic landmarks in all of Surrey! 

Besides the requisite panoramic photographs, the grassy landscape is the ideal spot for a picnic.

We share small bites and scope out Mole Valley below. The red-bricked buildings of the town of Dorking stand out. Also in this vista is an entry on my “Places to visit in the UK” bucket list: Denbies Vineyard.

We watch as Southwestern trains whizz by below while above, the occasional plane glides through the sky (London Gatwick airport is nearby).

What to do after finishing Box Hill Hike

If you are returning to the train station, there are a few options for refreshments at the foot of the hill including Ryka’s Cafe, the Stepping Stones pub and the restaurant/pub at the Mercure Burford Bridge hotel.

It’s been a full day and our weary bodies are begging to rest so that’s a wrap. Another adventure-filled daytrip from London is in the books.

And one more thing: don’t forget to stretch!

Also read: Viking Coastal Trail: Cycling the Isle of Thanet

Top 5 photos from my daytrip to Box Hill

Here goes a visual round-up of an afternoon of walking in Box Hill. For any readers who have done this walk, these photos will surely transport you right back onto the trail.