Trail Run: Godalming to Chantries and St Martha’s Hill

1. Godalming to the Wey Navigation Towpath (1 km)
Exit the railway station, turn left and take the stairs down to the lower car park. Turn left onto Westbrook Rd, then right in to Vicarage Walk after 50 m. Emerging onto Borough Rd, cross straight ahead to enter Phillips Memorial Park. Continue by the riverside until the park runs out, then cross Bridge Rd, turning left onto the bridge. Just after the bridge turn right to join the Wey Navigation Towpath behind Godalming United Church.

2. Wey Navigation Towpath to Shalford (5.3 km)
Follow the canal towpath for 4 km to the bridge at Broadford Road/Shalford. Exit here and cross the bridge, following the curved road around, then take a left turn shortly after the bend of the road to cut across Shalford Common. Cross the railway bridge and follow Dagley Lane (unmade road) to the end, emerging onto The Street. Turn right and sharp left directly opposite The Seahorse Pub. You will pass Shalford Mill on the left after 50 metres.

3. Shalford to Chantry Wood (1.2 km)
Follow the footpath across an open field and cross East Shalford Ln into Shepherd’s Way, which becomes Clifford Manor Rd, heading north. As Clifford Manor Rd starts to curve left, take the wide, sandy track (look out for a modern house at the junction) to the right towards Chantries. After 150 metres, you will see woodland and small hills to the right. Follow the track to a sandy, unmade crossroads and take a right onto the North Downs Way. After 300 metres, take the broad, right hand track up into Chantry Wood.

4. Chantry Wood to Halfpenny Lane (1.6 km)
From this point, the route becomes moderately hilly, with some short, steep inclines on beautiful woodland trails. You can pick any of the myriad of tracks bearing east, following the natural ridge along until you emerge onto Halfpenny Lane by a gate and a sign for the Scout Campsite.

5. Halfpenny Lane to St Martha’s Hill (1 km)
Turn left, uphill onto Halfpenny Lane and after 40 metres, follow the North Downs Way fingerpost on the right which adjoins a private driveway entrance. Follow the sandy, broad trail to pass the car park and continue directly to the top of the hill. This becomes gradually steeper with a short hard incline towards the top. You will emerge onto the high point of the run at St Martha’s Church (175 m). This is a good spot for a photo on a clear day, with great views of the Surrey Hills AONB.

6. St Martha’s Hill to Chantries (4 km)
Continue east on the broad sandy track as it winds and descends gradually to the Guildford Lane car park. Turn left onto Guildford Lane. After 200 metres take the footpath directly ahead – marked by a fingerpost – as the lane bends sharply away to the right. Follow this sandy trail to the end until you rejoin Halfpenny Lane by the Tytings Farm re-development. Cross the lane and continue straight onto the North Downs Way with Chantries now to your left. After about 2km you will arrive back at the sandy unmade crossroads at the start of Chantries.

7. Chantries to Godalming (8 km)
Continue straight over the rough crossroads to join Echo Pit Road after 100 metres. Turning left, cross the road and follow the pavement for 350 metres to Shalford Road. Cross the road into Shalford Park, following the central broad, grassy trail all the way to the river. Cross the river using the St Catherine’s footbridge and then head left in the direction of Godalming. The Wey Navigation Towpath will take you directly back to your starting point in 7km on the flat.