Shalford to the Downs
9 people attending
6 places left
This is a circular walk starting from Shalford Station, this autumn walk leads us up into the rolling slopes of the North Downs, where crisp air and golden leaves set the scene. The path winds from riverside meadows towards wooded trails and chalky ridges, with plenty of chances to pause and take in sweeping views over the Surrey countryside. From the heights, the patchwork of fields, villages, and distant hills looks especially beautiful in the softer light of autumn.
It’s a walk that balances gentle climbs with rewarding vistas, perfect for catching up with your fellow hikers along the way. With the colours of the season all around us and good company at our side, this promises to be a refreshing day out in the Downs.
Total distance is 16 km (10 miles) with a 218 m (716 ft) of ascent spread throughout the route. We will be walking over dirt, grass, mud and tarmac.
Dogs
This walk is very suitable for dogs. There’s plenty of open space and several fields with livestock (dogs on leads in these areas, please).
Don’t Waste That Space!
Walks get filled up quite quickly, so please only sign up if you know you are free to attend. Plans do sometimes change, but remember to free up your space so someone else can attend.
New Members:
If this is your first event or you are new to OutdoorLads we’d love to see you. Please message me if you have any questions.
(Photos taken by Felipe Rogatto Nov 5th 2025).
What to bring
Water: bring at least two litres
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Day rucksack: typically 20-30 litres, they are comfortable to wear and allow you to use your arms freely
Boots: waterproof and breathable and designed for hiking
Gaiters: recommended for wet weather or boggy conditions
Socks: proper walking socks will keep your feet dry and help prevent blisters
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers: ideally no jeans as they become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
Gloves: Windproof, or better still, waterproof gloves are the best choice, bring a spare pair if expecting rain
Hat or cap: stay warm in winter and shaded in summer
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter
Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days
Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Lunch: bring a packed lunch unless otherwise stated
Food & drink
Please bring water and a packed lunch. Planned stop for lunch is at the Watt's Gallery, you can get coffee/cake/food there as well.