Description
Modified version of Netcat One which improves the Caterham end. A quiet back lane replaces the busy B2030 Church Hill ascent/descent into/out of Caterham. Safe refuge crossing at the top of the hill. Otherwise as Netcat One.
Where the North Downs merges with London outskirts and green belt, this route is a mix of glorious chalk downland, with hills both steep and rolling, and pleasant residential developments. Apart from the B road at Caterham (which this route almost totally avoids) the big Surrey roads disappear into the background.
The main feature to be aware of is that some of the hills are very steep, but they are always short. Good ankle support and walking poles will assist in those parts. There are some steps, but the steepest part (approaching/leaving Netherne) is not stepped.
Netherne is an interesting village developed around an old asylum, but has restricted facilities - there is a village store at the meeting point but that is all. There is no public transport, so be prepared to walk on if you are coming from Caterham. There is a good bus service on the A23 at the bottom of the hill at Hooley, which you can reach following the Bannet Slow Way.
Caterham has good transport links and refreshments. Close to the meeting point at the bottom of the hill, the route passes a small museum of the North Downs, which may be open, and is worth a quick visit if you are interested in the history of this area
Modified version of Netcat One which improves the Caterham end. A quiet back lane replaces the busy B2030 Church Hill ascent/descent into/out of Caterham. Safe refuge crossing at the top of the hill. Otherwise as Netcat One.
Where the North Downs merges with London outskirts and green belt, this route is a mix of glorious chalk downland, with hills both steep and rolling, and pleasant residential developments. Apart from the B road at Caterham (which this route almost totally avoids) the big Surrey roads disappear into the background.
The main feature to be aware of is that some of the hills are very steep, but they are always short. Good ankle support and walking poles will assist in those parts. There are some steps, but the steepest part (approaching/leaving Netherne) is not stepped.
Netherne is an interesting village developed around an old asylum, but has restricted facilities - there is a village store at the meeting point but that is all. There is no public transport, so be prepared to walk on if you are coming from Caterham. There is a good bus service on the A23 at the bottom of the hill at Hooley, which you can reach following the Bannet Slow Way.
Caterham has good transport links and refreshments. Close to the meeting point at the bottom of the hill, the route passes a small museum of the North Downs, which may be open, and is worth a quick visit if you are interested in the history of this area
Status
This route has been reviewed by 4 people.
There are no issues flagged.
Photos for Netcat two
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Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 4
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (4)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 18
Surveys
What is this route like?
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| Grade 3X based on 1 surveys | Sign up or log in to survey this route. | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Note | ||
| Grade 3: Route includes rough surfaces that may include small boulders, potholes, shallow ruts, loose gravel, short muddy sections. Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users. |
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys. | ||
| Full grading description | |||
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Survey Photos
Facilities
Facilities in the middle third of this route.
Challenges
Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.
Obstacles
Obstacles on this route.
Accessibility
Is this route step and stile free?
Measurements
Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.
The narrowest part of the path is 50.0cm (1)
The steepest uphill gradient walking East 30.0% (1)
The steepest uphill gradient walking West 45.0% (1)
The steepest camber gradient across the path 6.0% (1)
How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unsigned (1)
Successfully completed
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Recommended by an expert
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Terrain
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There is no data on how much of this route is on roads
There is no data on how much of this route is lit at night
Thereis no data on amount of route paved
There is no data on muddiness
There is no data on rough ground
There is no data on long grass
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1 surveys
Information from verified surveys.
Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Netherne On-The-Hill
Grid Ref
TQ2953856298
Lat / Lon
51.29109° / -0.14362°
Easting / Northing
529,538E / 156,298N
What3Words
guides.fantastic.boil
Caterham
Grid Ref
TQ3411655408
Lat / Lon
51.28203° / -0.07834°
Easting / Northing
534,116E / 155,408N
What3Words
tunes.wide.soon
| Netherne On-The-Hill | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | TQ2953856298 |
| Lat / Lon | 51.29109° / -0.14362° |
| Easting / Northing | 529,538E / 156,298N |
| What3Words | guides.fantastic.boil |
| Caterham | |
|---|---|
| Grid Ref | TQ3411655408 |
| Lat / Lon | 51.28203° / -0.07834° |
| Easting / Northing | 534,116E / 155,408N |
| What3Words | tunes.wide.soon |
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reviews
Strider
13 Oct 2025 (edited 14 Oct 2025)I walked from Caterham to Netherne-on-the-Hill on a cloudy day. Then onto Banstead via Bannet4. Nethern-on-the-Hill is a place to walk through, not to.
Lovely walk, completely agree with previous reviewers and Jane Taylor's full review.
Steep in places but worth the effort. The trees are beginning to turn and the colours are beautiful, especially in the aptly named Happy Valley.
Steep, 43+%, on the approach to Netherne-yes-it-is-on-a-Hill. Not for wheels due to steps and narrow paths.
John Scott
28 Aug 2022I enjoyed this route a great deal, having started at Ewell earlier in the day. It's a great way to conclude this part of the route.
Fine walking, some lovely woodland and enticing views.
There are regular trains back to London, even on a Sunday, and the staff at the station are very helpful.
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Jane Taylor
23 Aug 2022An improved version of netcat one which uses a lovely quiet back lane in Caterham, (the local preference), rather than walking uphill along the hectic B road.
I walked Caterham to Netherne on a warm summer’s day. It was my first walk in the north downs, and I was amazed how lovely it is despite being so close to London.
After climbing the hill at Caterham I walked along footpaths and quiet roads, enjoying the peace and quiet. The best part was walking through woodland to Happy Valley, a huge almost deserted chalk valley perfect for picnics and butterflies.
After this came some super steep climbing through woods up to Netherne.
Netherne is a small village development on the site of a previous mental hospital. Some of the Victorian red brick buildings are still in use, but mostly it’s more modern low rise estate roads.
Unfortunately the developer never built the contracted pub but there is a village store. I was disappointed there were no benches.
Netherne doesn’t have public transport, so I walked down to the A23 and caught a bus to Croydon.
If you are walking Caterham to Netherne I recommend this route to avoid the main road!.
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JohnMyerson
05 Aug 2022Good suggestion to use back roads in Caterham but Church Hill is direct and pavement quite wide enough. Good range of supermarkets, toilets etc. in Caterham. Regular trains to East Croydon and bus 407 to Croydon and Sutton just around the corner in Croydon Road.
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