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Hiking the NORTH DOWNS WAY #1 - Mile zero and go! (Farnham to Ranmore Common)

Ambling Trails

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Starting a new 131-mile journey on the North Downs Way National Trail! In this first stage, I’m hiking from the official mile zero in Farnham through the beautiful Surrey Hills to Ranmore Common.

This first leg is a solid 20-mile trek through the historic Pilgrim’s Way, chalk ridges, and hidden WWII pill boxes. It’s also the first real test for my new Trekkertent Preranger 1 as I settle in for a perfect wild camp at the end of the day. Join me as I begin the walk toward Dover!

In this video: 0:00 Intro & The Start in Farnham 2:25 Feeling "fenced in" 7:30 Reaching the chalk ridge 8:55 A lunch spot with a view 10:40 Checking the map & route split 14:44 The mystery of Agatha Christie & Silent Pool 17:50 WWII Pill Boxes on the North Downs 19:13 New tent setup & first wild camp

Videos for this channel are usually posted on a Tuesday 16:00 GMT

#NorthDownsWay #Hiking UK #AmblingTrails

17 Comments

@MrMan-f9c 1 month ago

The greensand way is another excellent route

@jimtait6261 2 months ago

Good to see you on the trail again Nigel. I’m just back from 2 days on the Sandstone Trail, a joy. This is now part of The Cheshire Circuit which I’ll be on next. As I mentioned previously, your blogs got me back on the trail, thank you!

@retiredhiker 2 months ago

A good start to what should be an interesting walk. 👍

@sueg2173 2 months ago

Another lovely video. Looking forward to the Phreeranger review. Love my Saor from Trekkertent.

@KarlEglington 2 months ago

Bootiful 👍

@vatsmith8759 2 months ago

The old Phoenix Phreeranger was a favourite of mine back in my youth so I'm interested to see its return in this nice review of my local trail.

@rykskelton2066 2 months ago

Nigel,

Great timing as I am planning on doing this walk in late March next year, so your videos will be useful. Certainly not looking forward to the urban aspects, nor the sound of traffic but, like you, have committed to ticking off all the national trails. So far it certainly seems very different to it's sister trail, the South Downs Way (which will be a good thing as my SDW experience was not positive). I will be walking the southern route, but was considering going East to West and wondered which direction you think would be best. Keep up the good work.

Cheers,
Ryk.

@danidaskam1027 2 months ago

Well done on your first day. I'm so looking forward to this series as I've been contemplating this route for years.

@Julierosegrows 2 months ago

Lovely video Nigel,sometimes you just have to share the trail 😊🌸

@Linleys 1 month ago

Ive been tempted to do the NDW for some time. The start is quite close to me. Thank you for sharing and I will be following along with you. Cheers, Warren :)

@andy1514-g1q 1 month ago

very nice - I did Guildford to Dorking yesterday & overnight last night (I don't quite have your long-distance legs!) & it's definitely looking less green now.

the tent looks interesting, look forward to a review.

@davidhale1568 1 month ago

Camo trekker tent am jealous 😊

@baldyman1965 2 months ago

We live in such a rich and varied land, so different from the Roof of England trail. Walking without any shade in that heat provides it's own challenges though. Were those grape plants at the start of your walk? Looking forward to next week👍and hopefully some ducks...😅.

@paulhuggan-cammack2928 2 months ago

Thank you Nigel, liked and hyped. A bit too 'urban' for me. I hope you get to see some ducks at some point 👍🦆

@SpanielStrolls 1 month ago

It looks still quite (comparatively) green in places. When did you film it? Love seeing the different trails you explore

@andyshearwood 2 months ago

Fairly certain i wild camped in those woods just around 16:10 when i did this walk (Was my first and did in stages using trains to get back to where i lived in London - only needed to do 2 wild camps and one official)