So off to one of my favourite places, so glad I’ve been introduced to walking in the part of West Sussex not that far from where I grew up – it’s really beginning to have a comfortable feeling. The hilly nature is a great challenge and I can’t resist choosing routes which have me going repeatedly up and down hills – a good work out. So this walk was from close to Haslemere Station and back again and was about 21 km long but with a profile which had extensive up and down. The highest point also being the highest point in West Sussex!
So along King’s Road and eventually reaching the road to Midhurst, across and down the little path that runs below the railway line and above the stream that is probably a tributary to the Wey. I notice on the map that this area is called Springhead. It looks tempting to walk closer to the stream but also rather damp today so not a good start to my walk. Some good fungus though and pleasingly still colour on the leaves. I was really hoping that was the case as there are so many trees to enjoy in this area.
The path comes out close to the railway as it crosses over another road and I’m by the ponds at Shottermill. The pub is even called the Mill and the ponds were probably created as a means of controlling a flow of water to the mills in the area.
From across the road the track leads down between Camelsdale and Hammer and soon the magic of the area is apparent – not a hollow way but a wonderful track and one that I recognise I’ve been down before.
I turn right onto the Sussex Border Path, always feel quite excited when I walk on this but my route today doesn’t take me on it for very long. One of the elements I like are the way the trees create a border with their trunks and roots. Sometimes they have a sculptural perspective. also pleased to see some exciting looking fungi, like steps up the tree.
I continue nearly into Linchmere but take a sharp turn left and realise I have walked this section of path before. Today I am going across Cognor Wood and the side of the wood will rise up steeply to my left. I’m cutting across this hillside for a couple of kilometres before I skirt the top of a sharp valley and start heading south again. Haven’t spotted any deer today – still hopeful. I will come out by Kingsley Copse and then Van Common.
Having come out on to the road which leads through Van Common I’m not going to go down passed the lovely Sussex house with the grand duck house but cut through to the left on a path I haven’t used before. This takes me behind houses and next to the school- I think I can hear an outdoor PE lesson – do miss teaching those! This track which I have seen people come out of when I’ve been driving past to Petworth is above the village of Fernhurst and opposite the road to the Red Lion Pub, the village green and the recreation ground. although I’ve driven down this road many times but I’d failed to notice this little cottage. Brick work like this always makes me wonder who was trying out the various patterns!
I easily spot the path I need that goes alongside the pub as I’ve been this way before on my way to Blackdown – the highest point of my walk today. Very up and down but I do enjoy this aspect! I remember this steep stream valley from last time – a little more water today.
The path eventually takes me up to Ferndean Lane. Last time I came this way I took a route up to the top from here. Today I have a different plan! I meet a couple who are a big off track – they are following a sketch map and have just come down from the top too soon – I help as best as I can. They are about the first people I have seen today once I left the town. Today I’m going along the lane and had initially thought I would take the track down to the parking and then cut back up but realise I’m better staying on the lane. I’ve purposely included some lanes today incase if was very muddy so that I could complete the distance before dark! In fact it hasn’t been to bad considering the amount of rain that has fallen and the areas of flooding on the roads near Haslemere. I follow the wall to the estate and on a sharp bend the main gates into the Blackdown Estate are visible. Quite a view.
My route today will take me from the lane up the steepest side of Blackdown and although a little hidden it soon becomes apparent that I’m on the right path as if zigzags up the steep hill. Quite exhilarating and then my goal, the Temple of the Winds – reached from a very different direction this time. Difficult to tell you are nearly at the top until you pop out having taken one of various paths that suddenly appear near the summit. And then of course you turn to see the view, appreciating that you started way below and out of view!
There are such a maze of paths on the top that it takes some determination to find and keep to the Serpent Trail and the path that I want to take me back down – appreciating that I have quite a long way to go! Eat something quickly and find a good bush – you really have to watch out for dog walkers up here- having had a very solitary walk I am now not alone. Quite a grey day although no rain but it will mean that the light will fade quickly.
I cross over the top of the down and come out near the car park where Tennyson’s Lane does a sharp turn and then is a quite an ever descending road down through a wooded area, before I leave the top I do spot this fungus – not the very best of specimens but one of the best I’ve seen this year.
My route along the lane does eventually turn left along a track which sweeps round through quite a ‘horsy’ area and then through a last bit of woodland . Couldn’t resist this next shot – is it a face?
The track eventually comes out almost below Haste Hill- I have walked along the road back into town once before from this point but today I’m crossing the road and following the trail a bit further. After a short while I come to a plank bridge over a ditch and join a path I’ve walked before. I cross an open field and then I am behind the allotments. I over shoot my next path and have to double back – I could have just carried on but I did that last time. The track takes me across some fields and then to a car park which I wasn’t quite expecting. Through to the High Street -again wishing to avoid the traffic I go down West Street and find a back way though – note quite as I had intended – and make my way back to the station. A bit before 4.30 and the light is fading but feeling that I’ve had a very good walk.
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 