After slithering around on muddy paths back in January, I waited for the ground to firm up to return and finish the rewalk of the North Downs Way.
This was one of those “I need to get it done, but there’s always something I’d rather do” situations, which is why it took over 5 months to actually get around to doing it.
The problem was that I had, according to my mapping, about 44km of distance and 900m of ascent left – too much for a single day, but also too much to spread evenly over 2 individual days. So the only realistic way of polishing it off, was to do it in one go, making it roughly 1.5 days with an overnight somewhere along the trail. Opportunities and the right weather took a while to come around.
In the end I decided to kill two birds with one stone – I’d fastpack it over a day and a bit, including an overnight, thereby giving me an opportunity to also round off my training for an upcoming race, with a decent long trail run. I’d run from Betchworth to Puttenham on the first day (estimated at nearly 34km), and do the other 10-11km the next day.
Most of the ascent was on the first day, meaning I’d probably be walking a bit more of it – but that was ok as it was probably the better bit scenically too.
I arrived in Betchworth just before 10am, did the usual faffing about, and then set-off back along the lane to rejoin the Way.
A fair bit of climbing up onto the Downs, which meant walking, and very little actual running. But at least it was shady. A brief stop at the Box Hill viewpoint then the awful knee-jarring of the steps down to the Mole Valley to cross the river via the stepping stones.
Almost immediately I was confronted with the A24 to get across, and this involved a detour to a subway a few hundred metres along the road.
…and then under the railway…
Of course what goes down must go back up, so the second big climb of the day, albeit a more gradual one, climbing up above Denbies vineyard to Ranmore Common.
Now I was on slightly more familiar ground, having trod this part of the trail on the North Downs 50 ultra 3 years ago, and the next bit a little further on, during my Ambassador training the year before.
I then passed through what I refer to as “Pillbox Alley” where several appear very close together.
By this point, the heat of the day was making itself felt and I was struggling to run even the flatter sections, unless they were under tree cover.
And I hadn’t actually had a stop yet, so somewhere on Netley Heath, I found a bit of fallen tree I could perch on while I had my lunch.
On my way again, I passed the dew pond, dry as always, and knew I was nearing the “aid station” of Newlands Corner. I was looking forward to a cold drink, an ice cream , and using the facilities.
I rolled into Newlands Corner, and successfully scored a cold drink and an ice cream. The toilets were a different matter, being locked up due to an issue with the water supply. What I’d actually wanted more than the relief, was an opportunity to douse a rag in cold water and put it on my neck to cool me down. But I found a water bottle refiller the other side of the cafe which did the job for that.
Onwards, across Albury Downs in the full glare of the sun.
A drop down to the valley, and I was no longer on chalk, slogging up the greensand of St Martha’s Hill. Churches often have taps, and I found one to re-wet my rag.
Down along more sandy paths and through Chantry Wood, then seeing a sign for a cafe in a farm’s barn 100m or so off trail. Another cold drink and ice cream.
I was really flagging now. Once I’d crossed the Wey, the amount of running diminished greatly. Not that it was enough before that anyway.
By now I was counting down the distance to Puttenham for my overnight stop.
Finally I limped into Puttenham and checked in at the barn. I had the place to myself, apart from the warden. She plied me with chilled water and sang the praises of the pub. Suddenly I didn’t fancy the dehydrated meal I’d brought with me.
So after showering, I popped along to the pub, and fish and chips and more ice cream later,I returned to the barn for some much needed rest.
I’d gone to bed with that level of tiredness in my limbs that meant I really wanted a rest day the following day. But I couldn’t have one – there was no sense in leaving 10-11km of trail to have to come back and do.
I was a bit slow in setting off, due to chatting with the warden.
But once I got going, my legs weren’t too bad, and I merrily trotted along the road, which became a lane, which became woodland paths.
I wasn’t running fast, but I was shuffling along consistently which pleased me no end. None of the ascents were particularly taxing either.
The distance ticked down at a pleasing rate too.
There wasn’t much actual scenery this morning, just plenty of pleasant woodland interspersed with a few more open sections, but it was ideal for maintaining my momentum.
And then all of a sudden, my watch had reached the point where the countdown to the finish was in metres rather than kilometres. I ran towards the sound of the traffic on the A31, rounded the final corner and arrived at the end of trail marker.
And it was done. It took me 10 years to complete the trail the first time I did it – this time I’d rewalked it in just under 4 years. Quite good going for me.
Now I suppose I’ll have to do the same for the South Downs Way. I started a rewalk of that, unintentionally, a couple of years ago, and just kept going. I’ve got about 48km for that, so again a bit much to do as a single day.
Gear and Logistics Notes
For this short trip, I used an Aarn Pace Magic 40 for my pack, carried quilt, pillow and sleeping bag liner for my stay at Puttenham Barn, as well as a dehydrated dinner, a mixture of overnight oats for breakfast, and the usual trail snacks and drinks. I was also testing my fuelling strategy for Race to the Stones next weekend, so there were some gels involved too. I’m a fan of KMC (Kendal Mint) because of how well they sit in the stomach.
Getting to Betchworth was the hardest bit – there are limited trains stopping there, and although there was one suiting my timings, the connections were tight. I was lucky that I got a slightly earlier train out of London Bridge (albeit it was delayed until almost the time of the train I was going to get), to make the connection a little more comfortable.
I stayed at Puttenham Barn, which has 11 bed spaces – 8 on bunks and 3 on a sleeping platform (which does have a mattress). Cost was £25, but you do get a £3 rebate on arrival for getting there on foot or two wheels. Booking in advance is recommended.
