Category: hikes

Hiking the Devil’s Punch Bowl: A Moderate Loop Near SW London

Looking for a satisfying circular hike with impressive views, conveniently close to South West London? The Devil’s Punch Bowl in Hindhead fits the bill perfectly. Located just a roughly 45-minute drive away, it offers a great escape into nature.

Getting Started & Parking

The main trail kicks off right from the National Trust car park. Be warned, it gets busy, especially after 10 am. I opted for an early start around 7:30 am on a pleasant mid-April morning and had the paths mostly to myself until the final kilometre.

Parking fees apply (as of my visit): £2 for 1 hour, £4 for 2 hours, £6 for 4 hours, or £9 for all day. National Trust members park free. While some free parking might be found in the nearby village, I was happy to pay, assuming the funds contribute to maintaining these beautiful trails.

Right near the car park, you’re immediately greeted with a fantastic viewpoint overlooking the dramatic bowl and a helpful 3D relief map showing the valley’s contours. (For the geologically curious, the National Trust website and Wikipedia have detailed information on its formation).

The Trail Experience: A Hike in Three Acts

I found the trail offered a pleasant mix of terrain – single tracks, wider forest paths, and even a few short road sections. For me, the hike naturally broke down into three parts:

1. The Initial Loop (Towards the A3 Tunnel): Starting clockwise from the car park, this section offers those initial sweeping views but also introduces the hike’s main drawback: the A3.
2. The Valley Descent (Towards Hurt Hill): After heading towards the A3 tunnel viewpoint, the path descends. As you drop lower and turn westwards towards Hurt Hill, the scenery remains lovely, and thankfully, the traffic noise begins to fade.
3. The Return Climb: This final section feels the most remote. The A3 hum disappears, replaced occasionally by the distant sound of a train. It’s also the hilliest part of the walk, though nothing overly strenuous. The most significant climb comes towards the end, just before reaching the flatter path leading back to the car park around the 12km mark.

A Note on Noise

One thing often missed in trail descriptions (like those on AllTrails) is the persistent drone from the A3 motorway. You can hear it clearly throughout the first section and parts of the second. For me, this constant hum did detract somewhat from the feeling of being truly ‘out in nature’. It’s a trade-off for the area’s excellent accessibility, but definitely something to be aware of before you go. The final third of the hike, however, is much quieter.

Overall Thoughts

Despite the traffic noise in the earlier sections, I thoroughly enjoyed this hike. It felt easier than some online descriptions suggested, offering a good workout without being excessively challenging. The accessibility from SW London is a major plus. If you can tolerate some background road noise for the stunning views and convenience, the Devil’s Punch Bowl is a rewarding day out.