The Eight Outcrops Walk. Graham Adcock - March 2006.
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Originally described by Edward Pyatt in his 1947 Guide, this modified walk, devised by Mike Vetterlein, takes in eight of the Wealden Sandstone outcrops in a figure-of-eight route covering about 16 miles. The route may be started anywhere but naturally focuses on High Rocks as the routes cross over there. If climbing at each outcrop is intended, the traverse takes about 10 hours, depending upon how much time is spent at each outcrop. The Climbers' Club walk this route annually in September and spend around half an hour (sometimes more) at each outcrop.

You will need OS 1:25,000 sheet 135 - Ashdown Forest (preferred) or 1:50,000 sheet 188 Maidstone and Royal Tunbridge Wells. The majority of the walk is on well-marked and well-trodden paths but beware - there are some tricky bits where the path is not obvious. The route may, of course, be done in any direction and small or large loop first - so many options! I will describe it, small loop first, starting from the High Rocks Car park at 5588 3825.

High Rocks to High Rocks Annexe.
Leave the car park and turn east along High Rocks Lane. Pass the entrance to High Rocks on your right and continue over the railway bridge. Pass the junction with Tea Garden Lane (on your left) and continue over the river Grom. After another 100m, the road kinks right and the High Rocks Annexe will be found in the wooded area on the north side of the road.

High Rocks Annexe to Happy Valley.
Continue east along High Rocks Lane for 0.5km. A path heading north takes you into Nevill Court - a private road. Continue along this road passing a T-junction on your right until the road ends and a path can be followed for 100m to a junction. Turn left here and follow for 50m to the pinnacle - Happy Valley. The outcrop is intermittent but on the north side of the path.

Happy Valley to Bulls Hollow.
Retrace your steps to the path heading north. Turn left here and follow the path up the rise bearing right to St. Paul's Church, Rusthall. Outside the gates, turn left and follow the path for 50m to cross the A264 Langton Road. Continue in the same direction for another 50m to Rusthall Road. Turn right here and follow the road ESE for 80m. Turn left into Harmony Street. Ahead of you are Denny Bottom Rocks and the famous 'Toad Rock'. The road bends right and then left. At the left bend, a road (Rusthall Park) continues ahead and a tarmac path joins from the right. Follow a track south east between Rusthall Park and the tarmac path for 80m. This brings you out under Gangway Wall at Bulls Hollow.

Bulls Hollow to High Rocks Continuation.
Follow the 'L' shape of Bulls Hollow to the opposite end of the outcrop. As the ground rises, follow an old pack-horse track south west, rising to join Rusthall Road. Turn left and follow to a junction with the A264 Langton Road. Turn left and follow to the Spa Hotel. Cross the road and follow a path south to the left of the' Major Yorke'. Continue along this path crossing two roads (Nevill Park then Hungershall Park) south to emerge at the A26. Turn right and go under the railway bridge. The other side of the bridge is a footpath heading WSW through a housing estate. Continue, through the shop arch and turn right into Summervale Road. After a few metres, a gap between the houses on the right allows access to the footpath heading west into Friezland wood. Follow the path for 1km to the High Rocks Continuation on your left.

High Rocks Continuation to High Rocks.
Continue along the path for a further 250m (passing High Rocks on your left) to join High Rocks lane. Turn left and after 100m, turn left into High Rocks.

High Rocks to Harrisons Rocks.
Turn left as you leave High Rocks and continue to just past the car park entrance where a path on the right is followed under the railway and through a damp wooded section to emerge into an open area. After a while, the path crosses a stile on the right and continues for just over 1km crossing Broom Lane. Cross over and continue past the sewerage works along the High Weald Walk for 2km to Groombridge Place. As you reach the buildings turn south, cross the river Grom and follow the path heading south west. After 150m, the path narrows and passes through a metal gate. Turn right here and follow the path to the north of the cricket ground to emerge on the road. Cross over and follow Corsley Road (to the north west end of the shops) south. Where the road bends right, follow the path on the left over the railway footbridge for 0.4km to emerge on the road to Harrisons Rocks. Follow the road to the toilet block and then follow the lower track to the outcrop.

Harrisons Rocks to Bowles Rocks.
Follow the path below Set Square Arête (just west of the Isolated Buttress) west to rejoin the High Weald Walk next to the railway. Turn left and follow the path south east to Forge Farm. Turn right and follow the track across the level crossing. Turn left along Forge Road and follow south east for 1km. Here, the road bears left and then left again. At the second turn, there is a track/road heading SSW. Follow this rising path past some houses and then through a wooded section. Crossing a stile, you emerge into a field. Follow the path past a track to Renby Farm on your left then another track on your right (where the Sussex Border Path joins) through Crooked Wood. The path follows a cutting, rising to a stile and Renby Grange. The path runs close to the buildings and eventually turns south east, rising to meet the A26. Cross the road here (a ramp heads right to the crossing point - take care - the vehicles move fast on this stretch of road). On the other side, follow the ramp up from the road and as you reach the start of the road, turn left, following a path south east alongside some houses. After 200m, an avenue of trees on the left is followed, heading north east. This brings you into the back of Bowles Outdoor Pursuits Centre, below the upper ski slope. Follow the path into the centre and then the road down to the main outcrop.

Bowles Rocks to Eridge Green Rocks.
Just to the left of the new toilet building near the swimming pool, is possible to cross the stream and follow the edge of a field south to rejoin the Sussex Border Path. Follow this across Sandhill Lane, over the stile and downhill under the railway bridge by the stream. Follow the path uphill and left along the top of the field then ENE to Stitches Farm. Turn north along the track, through the wooded section and down the dip then up to Hamsell Manor. Follow the path left, then right past the tennis courts. After 300m, the drive bears left. At this point follow the path (not obvious) over the 'footbridge', through a gate and up onto a field. Cross the field (the path goes diagonally across it although it may be ploughed up) in a north easterly direction to a stile. Continue through a narrower wooded area and on to join the road. Follow the road north to meet the A26. Cross the road and follow the track north east to emerge in the car park at Eridge Green Rocks.

Eridge Green Rocks to High Rocks.
Follow the track keeping close to the rocks. The rocks peter out after you pass Eridge Tower. Follow the track until a definite T-junction. Turn left and follow this track west for 200m or so until you meet a track on your right. Pass this track and continue for a further 100m or so to a second track on your right. Follow this track north dropping down to the stream then up to emerge at the road. Cross the road and follow the track, ignoring the first track on your right. About 100m further on, a track heads off right - follow this to the road. Cross the road and follow the track to Fairview Road. Turn left and follow the road to a junction. Turn right and follow the road to the High Rocks Hotel - Award yourself a well-earned drink!

Notes.
· If climbing, the sandstone code should be followed. Unless you plan to solo all routes, you will need about 80 feet of climbing rope, a couple of karabiners and a 5 - 10m length of static rope to act as a sling as a minimum. Climbing shoes or 'plimsolls' should be worn - please do not climb in walking boots. You may require a harness and belay device and a second rope if considering climbing on the Isolated Boulders at High Rocks. Only Bowles, Harrisons and Bulls hollow have fixed bolts - at other outcrops, you will need to use trees etc. to make belays. Take care when approaching the crag edge.
· The Climbers' Club guide to Southern Sandstone by Mike Vetterlein and Robin Mazinke was published in 2008 and is available from climbing shops and www.cordee.co.uk
· At High Rocks, the entrance fee is currently £5 for climbers (£35 for an annual season ticket). Please pay at the lower bar.
· At High Rocks Annexe, climbing permission should be sought at the Bungalow on the right hand side of the sharp bend 300m up Tea Garden Lane.
· Access for climbing at High Rocks Continuation is unclear - discretion is advised.
· Climbing at Bowles Rocks is currently £2.00 per day and at weekends is collected by a Bowles employee walking round.

High Rocks 5589 3831 entrance High Rocks Annexe 5623 3849 outcrop centre
High Rocks Continuation 5615 3840 east end Happy Valley 5650 3912 Cheesewring Pinnacle
Bulls Hollow 5689 3940 outcrop centre Eridge Green Rocks 5550 3554 car park
Harrisons Rocks 5315 3594 North Boulder Bowles Rocks 5442 3313 entrance

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