Devil's Punch Bowl & Gibbet Hill — Intermediate/Challenging 20km hike
About this Event
Trail Therapy's Devil's Punch Bowl hike is a 20 km circular through ancient woodland, open heathland and some genuinely strange local folklore in the Surrey Hills.
Devil's Punch Bowl – 20km | Sunday, 9th August
📍 Start/End point: London Waterloo Station
🗓 When: Sunday, 9 August 2026 - meeting at 8:40AM, walking to train at 8:50 to catch the 9am train. Estimated return to London at approximately 7:30PM (we will travel together, so please ensure you can commit for the full day)
💷 Cost: £39 (includes return train tickets + guided hike)
Hike Details
Distance: 20 km (12.5 miles)
Grading: Intermediate/Challenging
Ascent: 500m
Estimated time: 5.5-6.5 hours
Route type: Circular
The Route Story
Local legend says this vast hollow was carved when the Devil took a swing at Thor and missed; geologists blame eroding sandstone instead, which is almost as good a story. We'll circle the bowl, climb onto open heather common and up Gibbet Hill – 272m up and the second-highest point in Surrey – where the Sailor's Stone still marks an 18th-century M**der that gave the hill its name. On a clear day, you can spot the Shard and Canary Wharf from the top, which feels like cheating this far from London. Ancient woodland carries us most of the way back down into Haslemere, and a very well-earned pint.
What We'll See Along the Way
· Devil's Punch Bowl – a vast, spring-carved hollow with a properly unhinged backstory
· Gibbet Hill – 272m up, Surrey's second-highest point
· The Sailor's Stone – an 18th-century M**der memorial
· Big-sky views across the Weald, and the Shard on a clear day
· Open heather commons
· Ancient woodland on the drop back into Haslemere
What to Bring
· Packed lunch and snacks
· 1.5–2L of water
· Sun protection, hat, and a light waterproof layer just in case
· Comfortable hiking boots or trainers
· Camera, friends, and good vibes
About us
· Trail Therapy is 30% Nature, 30% Movement, 30% Community and 10% Magic
- Group Stats: mixed and international, ages 18-50
· Our hikes run 10-20 people, and usually sell out fast
· Most people come solo, so you'll be in good company from the very first step
· You can find pictures of our past hikes on Instagram
· Join our WhatsApp group for 'on the day' logistics and questions: we will email you a link to the group a few days in advance via Eventbrite
More than just hikes: they're therapy, on a trail.
🍺 Post-Hike Pint?
Yes, please! We'll wrap it up at The Swan Inn in Haslemere, where you can buy your well-earned pint (or a soft drink, no pressure either way).
Event details are correct at the time of publishing (E&OE). Routes and timings may vary with weather, conditions, or group pace. This event is organised by Trail Therapy Ltd. Participation is at your own risk, please come prepared, dress for the weather, and take responsibility for your own safety and wellbeing throughout the day.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 39.00
