Hi, I would just like to review a walk I did recently (in mid September). I don't have a great deal of time due to work and family commitments and so despite it being 34 miles I attempted to do it in one day, a distance I've done before in a day. It was the "Wey-South Path" that largely follows the route of the Wey and Arun Canal. The walk starts in Guildford, Surrey, very handy for my Woking start point! The canal is mainly disused, but is being slowly restored by the Wey and Arun canal Trust. In parts the route of the canal enters private land and the walk skirts around these sections. Also, in parts it is difficult to spot the disused canal unless you know where to look! On the positive side I would say that there is some very beautiful countryside to see, some quite remote for southern England! On the negative side I would say that the route is difficult to follow. The signage sometimes disappears and there are numerous twists and turns meaning that you have to constantly consult the map or the very useful booklet I had bought from the canal trust shop here:-
http://weyarun.org.uk/shop/16-maps-and-books [nofollow] One example is the section near Elmbridge village. I couldn't find a way forward from looking at the map and so consulted the small but useful book mentioned above, it described entering an (overgrown and unmarked) gate/ door in a wall, passing through someones private garden (with a Right of way through it), and then into the fields beyond. I ended up taking 2 wrong turns overall during the entire walk, which I estimated cost about one hour. At that time of the year with reduced daylight I wasn't able to complete the walk, but did manage to get to Pulborough, perhaps 90% of the way, which was quite frustrating!
Next year I'll try the walk again in the May - July period when the day is longer and I will also make less mistakes now that I know the route a little better! If I have the energy on the day it's also possible to continue from Amberley to Littlehampton to 'touch the sea'. That might be pushing it however...
This is also a useful website, it shows the route and you can zoom in and out of the Ordnance Survey map.
https://www.walkandcycle.co.uk/trail?trailcode=SURRTR0032 [nofollow] I'll post a few pictures, starting with the above mentioned book and one of the small way markers that it is always a great relief to find, as you know you're on the right track!
Best regards, Paul
