Living in Godalming means having some of Surrey’s most spectacular walking routes right on your doorstep. As physiotherapists, we understand that different walks suit different fitness levels and physical needs. Here’s our curated guide to the best walking routes around Godalming, with insights on what each offers from a physical fitness and rehabilitation perspective.
Gentle Recovery Walks (Perfect for Starting Out or Rehabilitation)
The River Wey Navigation Path Distance: 2-4 miles (easily customisable) Difficulty: Easy – Flat, well-maintained paths
Starting from Godalming Wharf, this delightful flat walk follows the historic River Wey Navigation. The level terrain makes it ideal for those returning to exercise after injury or looking for a gentle introduction to regular walking.
Physiotherapy Benefits: Minimal joint stress, excellent for cardiovascular conditioning, and perfect for practicing good walking posture. You can easily turn around at any point to control distance.
Farncombe to Bramley (along the Wey) Distance: 3 miles one way Difficulty: Easy – Mostly flat with gentle undulations
This scenic route follows the river through peaceful countryside, passing Loseley Park grounds. Perfect for building walking endurance progressively on consistent, gentle terrain.
Moderate Challenge Routes (Building Strength and Endurance)
Godalming to Hascombe Hill Distance: 5 miles round trip Difficulty: Moderate – Rolling hills with some steeper sections
This popular route takes you through Winkworth Arboretum and up to Hascombe village, offering beautiful views across the Surrey Hills.
Physiotherapy Benefits: Excellent for building leg strength, particularly quadriceps and glutes. Hill walking improves cardiovascular fitness more effectively than flat terrain while challenging balance and coordination.
Physical Considerations: The ascent requires good knee stability – consider walking poles if you have knee concerns. Ensure your shoes have good grip for the descent.
Charterhouse School Circuit Distance: 4 miles Difficulty: Moderate – Undulating with some challenging hills
Starting from Godalming, this route takes you up past Charterhouse School and through Frensham Common, offering heathland walking with fantastic views and varied terrain challenges.
Advanced Walking Challenges
The North Downs Way: Newlands Corner Section Distance: 8+ miles Difficulty: Challenging – Significant elevation changes
Easily accessible from Godalming, this offers serious hill walking for those ready for advanced challenges with excellent cardiovascular and strength training benefits.
Preparation Essential: Build up gradually to this distance and elevation. Proper footwear and walking poles highly recommended.
Specialized Routes for Specific Needs
For Lower Back Issues – Lammas Lands and Broadwater Distance: 2-3 miles, Difficulty: Easy These flat meadows alongside the Wey offer gentle walking without spinal loading from hills.
For Balance Training – Winkworth Arboretum Trails Distance: 1-3 miles, Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Natural, varied terrain provides excellent balance challenges in a safe, managed environment.
For Cardiovascular Recovery – Godalming High Street to Catteshall Distance: 2 miles round trip, Difficulty: Easy An urban walk allowing precise control of pace and distance.
Making the Most of Your Local Walking
Progressive Route Planning Start with river walks, progress to moderate hills around Hascombe, then advance to longer North Downs sections. This natural progression builds strength systematically while reducing injury risk.
Combining Routes Many of these walks can be linked or modified, allowing you to adjust distance and difficulty based on how you’re feeling on any given day.
When Local Walking Becomes Challenging
If you find certain routes uncomfortable or experience pain during or after walks, common issues include:
- Knee pain on hills (often indicating quadriceps weakness)
- Lower back pain on longer routes (frequently related to core stability)
- Ankle stiffness after uneven terrain (suggesting mobility work needed)
These are all addressable with targeted physiotherapy interventions.
Finding These Routes
Digital Resources:
- OS Maps app – Download detailed Ordnance Survey maps to your phone with GPS tracking
- AllTrails – Community-reviewed walking routes with photos and difficulty ratings
- Komoot – Excellent for planning and navigating walking routes
Physical Maps:
- OS Explorer Map 145 (Guildford & Farnham) covers most of these routes
- Available from Godalming tourist information or local bookshops
Local Walking Groups:
- Wild Walks – A local, regular, guided walking group
- Godalming Ramblers – Regular guided walks of varying difficulties
- Surrey Hills Society – Organized walks with local knowledge
Your Local Walking Journey
Godalming’s location offers an unparalleled variety of walking experiences within a small area. From gentle river paths perfect for rehabilitation to challenging hill routes that build serious fitness, you can progress naturally through increasingly demanding terrain.
The key is matching your route choice to your current capabilities while gradually building toward your goals. Whether that’s completing a gentle circuit after injury, building fitness for a major hiking challenge, or simply enjoying regular exercise in beautiful surroundings, our local area provides the perfect training ground.
Want to optimize your walking routine for your specific health goals? Contact Godalming Physio to discuss how we can help you make the most of your local walking opportunities while staying injury-free.
