Holmwood and Leith Hill Greenway circuit

Today, I cycled a circuit starting from Denbies Wine Estate near Dorking, which has free parking and good facilities. The map shows my route.

I started by cycling along Pixham Lane and a short stretch of the busy A25 (I used the pavement), but then was mainly off-road. The outward route included the Old Coach Road across Betchworth Golf Course, and bridleways through Highridge Wood, Holmwood Common (NT) and Redlands Wood to arrive at Coldharbour. Here, I picked up the Leith Hill Greenway to return to Denbies. It was a very peasant ride on a fine spring day, with some exceptions 

• the tracks through Highridge Wood were blocked in places by trees blown down during the recent gales, necessitating awkward bypass manoeuvres on ground still boggy despite the dry Spring. (To be fair, there were signs warning to that effect, and the compensation was hearing a nightingale singing).
• the bridleway through Redlands Wood included an incredibly steep climb on a crumbling path: pushing my bike up this was quite scary and exhausting: one to avoid in future! 
• the upper half of Wolvens Lane from Coldharbour is very sandy in parts, take care!

Started around 10am, finished around 1430 (including a snack at the village shop in Coldharbour, around 17 miles in total. (for another ride based on Denbies see here)

The photos give more detail.

Denbies Wine Estate has a good free car park

Denbies has cafe, loos etc

Denbies exit road (Box Hill in  the distance)

I stopped off on foot to see the River Mole behind the Watermill pub

Bridge over the Mole

Start of the Old Coach Road across Betchworth Golf Course

The Old Coach Road - nice and shady

Quiet Bushbury Lane

Start of bridleway to Highridge Wood

Bridleway through Highhridge Wood (quiet bumpy and muddy in parts)

Blocked bridleway in Highridge Wood

Holmwood Common (National Trust)

There are good bridleways across Holmwood Common

Viewpoint on Holmwood Common (with bluebells)

View on way up to Redlands Wood

Bridleway up from Folly Farm to Redlands Wood

In Redlands Wood - looks nice, but.....

... the bridleway became increasingly steep and slippery. Photo doesn't do it justice, avoid!

Coldharbour, pub and shop

Handy bike tools in.....

...the old phone box in Coldharbour

I joined the Leith Hill Greenway at Wolvens Lane (which has been closed to motor vehicles for an experimental period, to reduce erosion)

Nice Greenway, but.....

Upper half of Wolvens Lane is quite sandy, and needs care

Lower half has excellent compacted stone surface

Shady on a hot day

Views available at some points

Bluebells

The route is well signed

Narrow in parts

More bluebells

Gingerbread house

The Greenway passes through NT Landbarns Farm

Approaching Landbarn Farm

The Greenway gently climbs the North Downs scarp on the Old Denbies Estate Road

Passes under busy Ranmore Road

Entry gate to Denbies

Vines at Denbies

Box Hill in the distance

Holy cow!