Puttenham Village – Devil's Punch Bowl Bike Trail loop from Hindhead

Bike touring routes & trails

Puttenham Village – Devil's Punch Bowl Bike Trail loop from Hindhead

Hard

riders

Puttenham Village – Devil's Punch Bowl Bike Trail loop from Hindhead

03:40

45.5km

540m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: July 18, 2026

Tips

Includes a very steep uphill segment

You may need to push your bike.

After 38.4 km for 84 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

316 m

Surrey Hills National Landscape Trail

Highlight • Natural Monument

Hindhead Commons is a sprawling, 282-hectare nature reserve in Surrey, managed by the National Trust. Designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and part of the Surrey Hills National Landscape, it represents one of the region's most ecologically valuable and historically dramatic landscapes.
The Landscape: Sitting roughly 250 meters above sea level, it features a rare, cooler microclimate that supports a rich mosaic of ancient woodland, valleys, and vibrant lowland heath. This habitat is a lifeline for threatened wildlife, including Exmoor ponies, adders, and rare ground-nesting birds like the nightjar. The Devil's Punch Bowl: This massive, spring-eroded sandstone amphitheater dominates the eastern side of the commons, offering sweeping views that stretch all the way to the London skyline on clear days. The Great Transformation: For decades, Hindhead Commons was physically severed in two by the roar of the old A3 highway. Following the construction of the Hindhead Tunnel directly beneath the common in 2011, the old road surface was completely removed, allowing nature to heal and creating peaceful, car-free trails for walkers and cyclists.

Tip by

1.59 km

Top of Highcombe Copse

Highlight • Natural Monument

Until 2011, the A3 bottlenecked at Hindhead, going from two lanes to one. There was always traffic, air pollution was high there was a significant number of accidents. The Hindhead Tunnel was dug to allow the road to continue as a dual carriageway. You can now cycle up the old A3 to the Devil's Punchbowl. The second half is traffic free and the views at the top are beautiful at any time of the year, but especially in the autumn. Look around at the power of nature to reclaim the land.

Tip by

18.9 km

Compton Common

Forest

21.4 km

Sandy Byway in Surrey Hills

Highlight • Trail

difficult to ride through on a gravel bike when it'd dry due to deep sand.

Tip by

21.5 km

Watts Gallery – Artists' Village

Highlight • Rest Area

Watts Gallery opened at the start of the 20th century and is dedicated entirely to the artist, George Frederic Watts. It makes a unique place to walk to, especially lovely from Guildford where you can walk along the River Wey and the North Downs Way. There is a good cafe too.

Tip by

24.8 km

Puttenham Village

Highlight • Settlement

A pleasant little village stretched out along The Street, which runs east west, between the Hog's Back & North Downs to the north and the Greensand Ridge to the south.

Tip by