Surrey Three Peaks
What to expect
Published By: Daniel Weadley. Published: 13th May 2024. Filed at: Hiking Routes. Disclosure: I earn commission from purchases made via links. Comments are open.
In early May 2024, I tackled the challengingly long Surrey Three Peaks route.
While it may not offer the mountainous terrain of The Lake District or Snowdonia, it was still a cracking route at nearly 37km long and with a total height gain of just over 1000m.
There are several routes that take in the three peaks at Leith Hill, Box Hill and Holmbury Hill, I took the most popular one on AllTrails which was 36.6km long and I believe this offers the best views. The route used for competitions didn’t look quite as appealing to me as it’s been rerouted to avoid some areas I like.
I started my attempt of the Surrey Three Peaks from Leith Hill, most will start at Box Hill but it’s a circular route so it doesn’t matter.
Watch The Video:
Here’s an 11 minute video of my Surrey Three Peaks hike:
My Favourite Scrambling Footwear:
Surrey Three Peaks Profile
Length: 35-37km circular (depending on which variation you take).
Total Ascent: 1060m (my Garmin).
Moving Time: 10hr 5mins (but I was talking to the camera, flying drone etc). I’ve since completed the route in 7hrs 55mins with short stops on the peaks for food/drink etc.
Grade: Long hill walk.
Start/End: Anywhere on the route. I suggest Leith Hill but Box Hill is more popular.
Hazards: There is one section just northeast of Westcott that is notoriously muddy in winter and after rain. Box Hill has areas of shiny and slippery chalk.
Parking: Pay and Display car parks at Box Hill. Most of the car parks at Leith Hill are currently free.
Map (click to expand)
Here’s a map of the exact route I took (within a few metres) and also a downloadable GPX file:
I Parked at Starveall Car Park at Leith Hill
To start the Surrey Three Peaks route, I parked at Starveall car park at Leith Hill (What3Words) as it’s on the main route, is free and is one of the more popular car parks.
The car park is only an easy 15-minute walk from the first peak – Leith Hill, which sits 294m above sea level.
The imposing tower on Leith Hill was built in 1765 and can be ascended when the tower is open to the public.
Leith Hill Tower at sunrise.
I Never Go Out Without a Lightweight Packable Jacket:
From Leith Hill to Denbies Hillside
This section took me from the tower at Leith Hill to Denbies Hillside.
The first part of the route zigzags through a delightful woodland, mostly in descent with only a few small hills to ascend.
There are a couple of tiny villages to pass, but most of the route is through woodland on some slightly muddy paths.
After crossing the A25 just east of Westcott, the route became very muddy and was just about passable with boots on.
The route then ascended towards Denbies Hillside, first crossing the railway line:
The path through Leith Hill’s woodland.
Aerial photo of Leith Hill woodland with the tower visible in the distance.
Leaving the woodland and heading towards the east of Westcott.
Just northeast of Westcott. Mud bath anyone? Wear boots, not shoes.
Crossing the railway line northeast of Westcott and below Denbies Hillside.
Me walking up Denbies Hillside.
These Are Perfect for General Hiking:
Denbies Hillside to Box Hill
Denbies Hillside offers delightful views across to Leith Hill and the Surrey Hills.
I left the hillside and took the public footpath through Denbies Vineyard – the largest vineyard in the UK.
From here I descended to the foot of Box Hill and took the chalky and slippery path (steps also available) to the summit and the viewing point.
Box Hill marks the halfway point for me on the Surrey Three Peaks route.
Public footpath through Denbies Vineyard.
Chalky steps to Box Hill.
Box Hill.
The viewing point on Box Hill. My halfway point on the Surrey Three Peaks Route.
From Box Hill to Holmbury Hill
I took the path (mostly steps) down towards the river and the famous stepping stones which were submerged under water due to heavy recent rain.
From the stepping stones (bridge nearby if flooded), I took the public right of way above Denbies Vineyard towards the village of Wotton (via White Downs and Ranmore) where I stopped in the Wotton Hatch pub for a drink and some rest.
From the pub I entered the woodland and ascended to Holmbury Hill – the final peak at 261m and only a couple of kilometres from Starveall car park, my starting point.
The path above Denbies Vineyard..
Church at Ranmore.
Woodland path between Ranmore and Wotton.
Lake at Friday Street, located between Wotton and Holmbury Hill.
Holmbury Hill. The final hill on the Surrey Three Peaks route.
I Use This Water Filter Bottle
Summing Up The Surrey Three Peaks Route
This is one of the best long routes I’ve completed south of London and while not comparable to the Lake District or Snowdonia, I found it very enjoyable.
The sections of ascent weren’t overly challenging (apart from Box Hill which is a slog) but the overall length made this quite the outing.
I would definitely do this route again and I’m glad I took the original line which went through Ranmore and next to White Downs rather than the rerouted option through the village of Westcott.
Update 2025: I completed this route for the second time in June 2025, I parked in the free car park behind the Wotton Hatch pub and completed the route in 7hrs 55mins moving quickly with only a few stops on the three peaks for food/drink etc.
Related Content
I haven’t completed that many routes in the south of the UK as I mostly visit Snowdonia but you may like these routes, each comes with directions, a video, a map and photos:
About Daniel Weadley
This guide to the Surrey Three Peaks was created by Daniel Weadley, aka The Bald Scrambler.
From walking along beaches and kayaking down rivers to making his way up mountains and even jumping out of planes, Daniel has a love of the outdoors, but scrambling is his real passion.
Daniel Weadley aka The Bald Scrambler
1 Comment
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Have fun, keep safe. Hopefully I’ll see you on the mountains one day
By The Bald Scrambler
Hey Daniel, thanks very much for this write up. I challenged myself to do the Surrey 3 Peaks this weekend and had the most amazing hike completing it on Saturday morning. Your detailed info was extremely helpful in planning what to expect (to a certain degree!) but there’s nothing like arriving at a destination early in the morning and just going for it. I used AllTrails and like you, I started at Starveall Car Park which was a great suggestion. I went the reverse route to the AllTrails map, with my first hill being Holmbury, then Box Hill, then finishing on Leith, don’t ask me why! A superb hike that I think i’ll do again, just when my shins have recovered! All the best.