Level: 6
Distance
32 miles
Ride Type
XC
Ascent
3,800 ft
The Surrey Hills and North Downs
From £48.00 inc. VAT
Long before the singletrack of Hurtwood put the Surrey Hills on the global map, the ancient network of off-road trails has long linked the quaint villages and estates across the Tillingbourne Valley. Our passion for exploring these original bridleways and by-ways has created this traditional mountain bike ride of discovery.
If you need to hire a bike, check availability first using the bike hire selector below.
Choose between:
On the outskirts of London The North Downs and Surrey Hills have long offered an escape from the city into the fresh air. There are picture postcard villages, sprawling estates and lush woodland to explore on the extensive network of bridleways and byways that criss-cross this stunning countryside.
Our ride begins in the depths of the Surrey Hills as we take in the Pitch Hill viewpoint, before a flowing descent through the magical Winterfold Forest. Now into the Tillingbourne valley and soaking up the charm of Shere, we begin our tour of the Weald between the North Downs and the Surrey Hills. There’ll be plenty of chances to stop and take in the views from Pewley Down, St Martha’s Hill and Newlands Corner, and to experience the working landscapes of Albury and Wotton Estates.
This action-packed tour, bursting with variety, finishes with a refreshing drink and country village pub lunch.
A route for regular bikes or e-bikes
This route is a traditional cross-country mountain bike ride. There will be fun bumpy descents, sandy and rooty forest trails and wide-open pastures. So a hardtail or short travel full suspension mountain bike would be perfect. Big travel bikes are welcome – just be prepared for some extra effort.
This ride can be enjoyed on a conventional mountain bike or an e-bike. If this ride is right for your level of experience and fitness, then bring your choice of bike! Marmalade rides have a friendly welcoming atmosphere, and e-bike riders who find themselves first up the hill are always patient and understanding of those relying on human-power alone.Â
Ensure your e-bike is maintained and ready to ride, and please pack your spare mech hanger with your usual trail pack spares. Consider bringing a spare battery if you feel your power consumption may call for one.
Riding with Marmalade
A vital part of the ride is the special Marmalade MTB ingredient: fun. Marmalade rides and trips are known for their friendly, sociable and welcoming buzz. We ride and we laugh.
- Duration: We have all day, if we need it!
- Distance: 32 miles (approx.)
- Elevation gain: 3,800 ft (approx.)
- Technical Grade: Advanced Novice (But this ride is awesome for all levels)
(any questions, please contact us) - Meet time: 8.30 am | 9.00 am on bikes
- Meet point: The Royal Oak, Holmbury St Mary
- Group size: 5-8 (max.)
- If you have attended our other rides such as the Devils Punch Bowl, East Sussex Explorer or the Tour de Rings then this ride would be perfect for you
- You will need reasonable fitness, happy to cycle for around 4 hours, with breaks
- You will be confident in mountain bike handling skills and proficient with operating your bicycle in the correct manner
- The trails will include features such as roots, small rollable drops and loose rocks. All of which are rollable
- You have your own suitable mountain bike (Road, hybrid and budget bicycles are not suitable for this ride)
- The ride does contain a number of undulating and in places challenging climbs
- Riders must be aged 18 or over unless accompanied by an adult also participating on this ride
If this sounds a little beyond your current skill and fitness level, please contact us for other options
Equipment, kit and clothing
- Suitable mountain bike in good working order*
- Helmet*
- Gloves and glasses
- Backpack
- Spare inner tube
- Puncture repair kit and bicycle pump
- Clothing & shoes appropriate for cycling and weather conditions on the day
- Padded cycling shorts for comfort
- Personal choice of drink and ride snacks
* without these you will not be able to take part in the guided ride Our guides carry an extensive kit to assist with trail-side repairs
What’s not included
- Bike hire
- This is available from our friends at the Surrey Hills Bike Rental in Peaslake
- Personal clothing & equipment
- Overnight accommodation
- Pre, during or post activity refreshments
- Transfers to & from location
- Personal travel/activity Insurance
Booking this ride as a custom experience
Base price of £240 is for one to four people. Add more riders for a group of five to eight using the ‘Extras’ drop down menu.
If you want a completely bespoke guided ride, then choose the ‘Custom Half or Full Day’ option from the ‘Experiences’ drop down menu.
Still not sure what experience is for you or have a question? Then please send Sean an email or call on +44(0)7840724611.
Need to hire a bike? Then after you have booked your guided ride, scroll down or click here to reserve your bike with our friends at Surrey Hills Bike Rental.
Meet point: Once you have booked, we can decide on the best location to start your ride. This will depend on where your accommodation is and whether or not you require bike hire. If required we can bring the bikes to you.
If you want to discuss this before you book then please send Sean an email or call on +44(0)7840724611.
(All prices include VAT)
Bike hire selection
- From the system below choose the date and time to match our guided ride (6 May 2023 & 9 am)
- We recommend the ‘full day’ option as a minimum
- Select normal mountain bike or electric mountain bike
- Choose the size of bike, based on your height
- Go to checkout and complete the bike hire reservation
- Book your place on the guided ride from the ‘Group ride dates‘ drop down menu above
Please Note:
​The bike hire system below can sometimes have a delay before it has fully loaded. If it fails to show, then visit Surrey Hills Bike Rental direct to reserve your bike. Then return to this page to confirm your place on our guided ride.
(** Marmalade MTB is not responsible for the provision of these bikes. By using the system below you are booking direct with Surrey Hills Bike Rental.)
Steve –
Had a great first ride with Sean on 23rd July 2023. extensive variety of terrain ending in two fantastic downhill trails. Will definitely be back
Andy –
Another great ride with Marmalade last weekend. This one has everything you could ask for from a classic cross-country ride. Fantastic views and scenery throughout with a few tough climbs, great downhills, chilled bridleway cruising and a couple of single-track classics to finish. Great guiding by Sean as usual. A fantastic day and I will definitely back to do this one again.
Colin –
This was my first day with Marmalade, the Surrey Hills and North Downs. Sean is an excellent guide, he was encouraging and friendly. The route was excellent, challenging and there were fantastic views. A great bunch of people and I will be booking more trips.
Pete –
Went on yet another awesome ride across the Surrey Hills and North Downs with Marmalade. As usual great route, great bunch of fellow riders and excellent guiding from Sean. Looking forward to the next one.
Jeff –
Another fabulous day out with Sean, it was a brilliant route, with a mixture of everything, hard climbs, swooping downhills, fantastic views and Telegraph Row to finish off. Had a great time.
Mark Nixon –
Another amazing Marmalade guided ride. Something different from the usual Surrey Hills singletrack. A great group of people & I felt very welcome.
Chris Marshall –
Fantastic new x-country ride from Marmalade showing a different side to mountain biking in the Surrey Hills along with some singletrack favourites. Marmalade rides never disappoint and I always come away feeling this is the best one yet … until the next one!
Richard Mason –
Another excellent new trip from Marmalade, demonstrating the wide variety of scenic bridleways and including some really fun, x-country friendly singletrack. As always, the “Marmalade spirit” ensures the rides are very sociable with a group of like-minded enthusiasts.