The Box Hill Hike – Surrey

If there’s one thing that I really felt living in London in comparison to previously living in Melbourne is that hiking trails aren’t nearly as close as I’d like them to be.

However, that just means you need to plan a little more and make do with what you have and that’s exactly what I did when I found and hiked the Box Hill hike in the Surrey Hills AONB (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty).

For those of you who live in Melbourne and have never been to England before, Box Hill is a little bit like the Dandenong Ranges of Surrey in the sense that it is a popular location for a walk.

So yes you can expect some crowds; especially when the good weather comes around.

Thankfully the day I did the Box Hill hike was during the end of Spring/start of Summer 2022 and I was getting ready to hike Trolltunga with my cousin and her friends at the end of August.

So, off we went.

We started the walk on the west side of Box Hill at the car park where most people start. It’s worth noting that there’s a nice little cafe there so an opportunity to grab a post-hike coffee or a cold drink is available if you require it.

The entire hike isn’t overly tricky to navigate and follows an easy-to-follow path that is well-signed so it would almost be impossible to become lost. This is one of many reasons why I believe this walk is incredibly popular for everyday walkers.

The start of the hike rises a little sharply before hitting close to the 200m point in elevation.

You will follow a fairly standard dirt track through green forest areas until it opens up and then you see it.

See what I hear you ask?

THE hill of Box Hill.

While I mentioned that this was a fairly straightforward path and that many everyday walkers come here in droves of a weekend, what I didn’t mention is that this section of Box Hill is where hardcore runners and boxers come for their excruciating cardio sessions.

But like any hill, if you pace yourself and take your time, you will be at the top in no time at all.

This would be the hardest section of the entire Box Hill hike as the rest of the trail falls in and out of forest areas as you make your way back to the car park.

There are some really nice vantage points along the way, especially at Salomons Memorial which offers views of the surrounding area.

You’ll also come across Broadwood Tower along Lodge Hill during your travels which was said to have been built as a folly but was only really ever used as a lookout tower.

What I think I like most about the Box Hill hike is that while there is a long and slow grinding uphill situated shortly after the start (assuming you’re doing it in a clockwise direction), it’s a walk that I believe most people who have a good level of fitness would be able to complete without any real problems.

As it’s located in England, you can probably imagine that you might experience arctic-like conditions out there so obviously attempt this walk during Spring and Summer if you can.

That will almost certainly attract a decent crowd during the warmer days, however, it’s quite a big area and the chances of being able to complete the hike without wading through crowds are high.

If you want to follow and download my recording of the Box Hill hike, you can do so here via WikiLoc.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Box Hill Hike

How long does it take to hike Box Hill?

Depending on your pace, anywhere from 1.5-2.5 hours.

Is Box Hill a hard hike?

It’s a moderate hike that offers a challenging hill. I believe most people with a base level of fitness could complete this walk.

The Stats – The Box Hill Hike – Surrey

Length (km): 8.27kms (according to WikiLoc)
Time: 2hr 38mins
Moving Time: 1hr 49mins
Difficulty: Moderate (Grade 3)
Maximum Elevation: 202m
Accum. elev. uphill: 262m
Accum. elev. downhill: 262m
Return/Loop/One Way: Loop