Walking The Box Hill Hike

View from the OS Trig Pillar at Box Hill

View from the OS Trig Pillar at Box Hill


Start & Finish: The National Trust Car Park, Zig Zag Rd, Tadworth KT20 7LB
Distance: 11.2 km (7 miles)
Elevation change: + / - 370 m
GPX File: get via Buy Me a Coffee
Other routes touched (walk): North Downs Way, Thames Down Link
Other routes touched (cycle): NCN 22
Other Pubs / Cafes on route:
The Running Horses Mickleham
Map: OS Explorer Map (146) Dorking, Box Hill and Reigate
Links: National Trust Box Hill, Box Hill Hike Route Guide PDF, Trigpointing: TP1553 - Box Hill, Trigpoiting: TP4791 - Mickleham Down, Peakbagger: Box Hill


The Box Hill Hike is a classic of the Surrey Hills trails. It’s a bit longer, a bit steeper and a bit more enjoyable that others that we’ve been to in the area recently. The National Trust’s PDF on the walk gives a clear description on the route so I won’t repeat it here. My additional notes on the route are:

  • The official start and finish points are at the National Trust Visitors’ Centre at the top of Zig Zag Road. They have a car park there but it can be extremely popular in Summer weekends or Bank Holidays. There’s alternative on-street parking further round the route in Box Hill Village or Mickleham.

  • The route is well signposted but all signs point in an anti-clockwise direction. If you’re going clockwise, as we did, you’ll need to keep a closer watch out for the signs as some will be facing away from you as you pass them.

  • Baggers of OS Trig Points will find 2 pillars on route, one (Box Hill) very near the National Trust Car Park at the start and the other on Mickleham Down.

elevation_profile.jpg