Surrey · United Kingdom
Farnham to Guildford - North Downs Ways
The first stage of the North Downs Way takes you from the historic market town of Farnham to the cathedral town of Guildford travelling through the stunning Surrey countryside. Expect a lovely mix of woodland trails, open countryside and historic landmarks.
Highlights along the way:
Farnham - Begin in this charming historic market town, with its beautiful Georgian streets and castle.
Puttenham Common - Enjoy peaceful woodland trails and open heathland.
Surrey Countryside - Wander through rolling farmland, picturesque villages and classic English landscapes.
Guildford - Finish in the historic town, with its impressive castle, cobbled High Street and plenty of pubs and cafés to celebrate completing the first stage.
ACTIVITY OVERVIEW
📏 Distance
19.2km/11.9mi
⏱️ Duration
5 hours
📈 Elevation
210m/688ft
🗓 Best Season
All year round
ESTIMATED COSTS
🚌 Transfers
~15-25 GBP
The Route
⚠️ The maps provided on this website are intended as a general guide only. Conditions, routes, and features may change at any time. Always rely on your own judgement and seek local or professional advice if possible.
🧭 Navigation Tips
Download offline maps before you go - cell signal is unreliable.
Be familiar with key safety locations and emergency shelters in case you need to bail part way.
Check weather and trail conditions before starting.
Getting to the Trail Head
🚂 Train
The are frequent trains operated by Southern Railway which leave every 30 minutes from London terminals to Farnham. The most economical way to travel is to buy a off-peak day return journey to Farnham.
~15-25 GBP · 1 hour
🚎 Transfer Tips
Tickets vary quite a bit depending on the time and route.
Railcards can provide up to 30% off the tickets during off-peak hours (after 10am on weekdays and all weekend and bank holidays).
The network railcard is valid for this journey.
If you are travelling as a group, consider getting a Daysave Group Off-Peak ticket which gives you unlimited travel on Southern Railway trains. Tickets for 3-4 adults costs 52 GBP and must be bought at least 3 days in advance.
You can purchase train tickets directly from train operators or via third party apps such as trainline which have slightly better interfaces. Please note that these apps do charge a small booking/handling fee.
Food Options
🍻 The Good Intent
A traditional village pub in Puttenham, offering a relaxed atmosphere and classic British pub food. Expect fish and chips, grilled chicken burgers, pastas and Sunday roasts.
10-20 GBP
Getting Home
🚂 Train
The are frequent trains operated by Southern Railway which leave every 15 to 30 minutes from Guildford train station to London terminals. The return ticket from Farnham will still be valid here as Guildford station is on route.
15-25 GBP · 45 to 60 minutes
Not sure on what to bring?
The complete
hiking kit list
Everything you need to pack — from blister-prevention basics to gear that's keeps you safe and comfortable on the trail.
Terms of Use
A quick but important note for all visitors: we do our best to share high-quality, accurate information, but it’s always possible that we’ve missed something or that conditions have changed. All GPS tracks (GPX files and maps) and route suggestions are meant to be used as general guidelines—not exact instructions.
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