The Greensand Way was completed this weekend. This is a long distance walk registered with the LDWA and clocks in at 108 miles, stretching from Ham Street south of Ashford and finishing in a Haslemere alleyway with a 'Limpsfield plaque'. It has taken most of the year to walk across the rolling hills of Kent and Surrey.
The final section, walked yesterday, joins the Way south of Wonersh and follows the path in its meanderings west across fields and woodland. Surrey is a deceptive county south of the largest town. One assumes that, south of the downs, that the land will flatten. Yet, the path becomes much more undulating and can become difficult to navigate, especially in the Hurt Wood. During these stretches, there are some steep climbs that can tax the walker. Despite the low gradient, they are steep.
There is a succession of small, delightful villages with an untouched, rural charm seen less as you get nearer to London. Hambledon, Wormley, Witley and Thursley all hold themselves keenly to the eye.
Only the final part disappoints, when the path turns south on the final descent towards Haslemere through Hindhead Common. The track runs through woodland by Gibbet Hill and passes round the Devil's Punchbowl but omits much of the view or the best walks. They took the Punchbowl away and forest operations have also scarred the landscape at the moment. A pity.
But another walk completed.