Today’s walk started in a very different venue, Hindhead in the south of Surrey. I had driven passed the turning for “The Devil’s Punchbowl’ many times on the way to see my mum but this time I stopped.
I was starting the walk perhaps a little late in the day, one which was forecast as cloudy – murky would have been a better description! I decided to stay on a high path rather than to drop down into the valley.
I first walked northward and then down a steep diagonal path. Quite a lot of colour still in the trees but not much to see in the actual bowl.
The path then cut across to Highcombe Farm and followed a well defined path. Turning south the route followed the old Turnpike Road between London and Portsmouth. I became an impromptu photographer for a group of four and then made my way towards Gibbet Hill.
Below the road near the top of the escarpment was a track which I came to realise was the replacement road built before the newer A3 with it’s tunnel under Hinhead Common. I wondered if I had ever travelled this way many years ago?
The viewpoint at Gibbet’s Hill did not really live up to it’s purpose today but there was a board telling of highway men being hung at this point as a warning to others.
I should have gone SSW from here but managed to swing round and found myself too soon heading for the car park. Luckily there was an alternative and I was able to double back diagonally to reach my intended route, crossing the Greensand Way and continuing until the track met a road at the Royal School.
A little further along here until I found a path cutting up to the right and back to my starting place.
This was a great walk of about 7.5 km and I was left wishing to go back and see more!
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 