A Grand Tour of the Surrey Hills
The Surrey Hills Classic is a comprehensive loop that showcases the best of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Starting from Guildford, the route climbs steadily to Newlands Corner, a popular viewpoint on the North Downs escarpment with sweeping views across the Tillingbourne Valley. From here, the route drops into the picturesque village of Shere — often called the prettiest village in Surrey — before heading south into the Hurtwood.
The Hurtwood section is the wildest part of the ride, with narrow lanes threading through extensive woodland and occasional clearings offering views towards the South Downs. The route passes through Peaslake and skirts Pitch Hill before turning north through Cranleigh and returning to Guildford via the Downs Link path or quiet lanes through Bramley and Shalford.
Route Highlights & Stops
This is a route to savour rather than race. Shere offers The White Horse pub and the charming Dabbling Duck café for a mid-ride stop. Peaslake has Peaslake Stores, a celebrated cyclist-friendly village shop. Newlands Corner has a visitor centre and café with outdoor seating and panoramic views.
The roads are predominantly quiet B-roads and unclassified lanes, well suited to road bikes with 25 mm or wider tyres. Some sections through the Hurtwood can have loose gravel washed onto the road surface after heavy rain. The route is popular with cycling clubs on weekend mornings and forms the basis of several annual sportives.
