HILL, DALES AND MOUNTAIN HIKING

2nd February 2008: Ranmore Common - Leith Tower - Ranmore Common, (Surrey, England)

Start/Finish on Ranmore Common, Surrey UK, 190m

Highest point: top of Leith Tower 294m

Distance: circa 20 kms

Weather: Cold and sunny. Ice on ground all day in places

Vertical altitude gain: circa 450m

Time: 5hrs 20 mins

Leith Hill and Leith Tower seen from Ranmore Common

I'd driven through this area a few times since Summer 2007 after photographing the steam hauled British Pullman train as it climbed the Surrey Hills. I'd also photographed another train in December by parking at Ranmore Common and walking down to the valley. With the prospect of walking here with some other contributors to the Ramblers' Assocation Duscussion Forum I decided February 2nd would be a good day to do a decent length hike in the area.

It was a cold and sunny day with ice on the ground as I parked in the National Trust car park on Ranmore Common, (£2.50 per day), and then headed SE down the side of the North Downs. My goal for the day, Leith Hill and the top of Leith Tower, (highest point in Surrey), was immediately visible from Ranmore Common, (Tower visible in gap between trees on the skyline, just to the right of the close up tree).

2nd February hike continued
Ranmore Common - Leith Tower - Ranmore Common Icy Track Bridge

Down in the valley I crossed the railway and headed along a track that had clearly been covered in very thick ice, before crossing a fast flowing stream on a footbridge that had a style built into it's Northern entry point.

2nd February hike continued
Ranmore Common - Leith Tower - Ranmore Common Track through Wotton Common Sign to Leith Hill

My route took me just to the East of Westcott, past a series of small lakes, (reserved for fishing clubs), and eventually on the only significant length of mettalled track up to Squires Farm. From there it was into the woodland on Wotton Common and broad tracks until I reached the final short ascent up to Leith Hill.

2nd February hike continued
Ranmore Common - Leith Tower - Ranmore Common Leith Tower View North from Leith Tower

Just around two and a half hours from Ranmore Common and I was in sight of Leith Tower. The top of which, (here looking North in the general direction of Ranmore Common), is the highest point in Surrey.

2nd February hike continued
Ranmore Common - Leith Tower - Ranmore Common Wotton Estate Stream Wotton Estate Waterfall

For my return route I used the track just to the West of the one I had arrived on, passing through the Wotton Estate, in which there was plenty of water, (and plenty of mud!)

2nd February hike continued
Ranmore Common - Leith Tower - Ranmore Common Mill House

Leaving the Estate and it's woodland I was close to the valley floor I passed Mill House, with it's superb looking thatched roof.

2nd February hike continued
Ranmore Common - Leith Tower - Ranmore Common Mill House

A last look at the water race by the Mill, then quickly across the A25 along a short section of lane and back to footpaths that soon saw me climbing the Downs again to get back to the N.T. car park on Ranmore Common.

Feb 2008 Trip Index     Back to Main Index