Coldharbour up Leith Hill: route map, distance and time
294 m · South East England · OS grid TQ139431
Leith Hill is the highest point in south-east England, a wooded Surrey hill topped by Leith Hill Tower with views to the South Downs.
Woodland tracks climb through the trees to the tower on the summit.
Coldharbour at a glance
| Distance | 1.6 km one way, to the top |
|---|---|
| Ascent | 94 m |
| Time up | 0h 30m by Naismith's rule |
| There and back | 0h 50m, down the same way |
| Grade | Easy |
| Start | Coldharbour village |
| Start grid reference | TQ 151 440 |
| Summit grid reference | TQ139431 |
Coldharbour map
The start (green) and the summit (blue). Peakify has no GPX track for this route yet, so follow the description and your map.
Height profile and getting to the start
Near the start
From OpenStreetMap, within 2 km. Check opening times before you rely on them.
How long Coldharbour takes
| Pace | To the top | There and back |
|---|---|---|
| Brisk 6 km/h, 8 min per 100 m up | 0h 25m | 0h 40m |
| Steady (Naismith) 5 km/h, 10 min per 100 m up | 0h 30m | 0h 50m |
| Relaxed 4 km/h, 12 min per 100 m up | 0h 35m | 1h 0m |
Times leave out stops. Coming down the same way, the table counts the ascent once; steep descents on rough ground can be as slow as the climb.
- Today: sunrise 07:30, sunset 18:03. Start by 16:13 to be down before dark, allowing 0h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
- Tomorrow: sunrise 07:31, sunset 18:01. Start by 16:11 to be down before dark, allowing 0h 50m for the walk and an hour for stops.
Leith Hill summit weather for this route
-
Marginal Today Sunday 18 October
Light drizzle, up to 11°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 2°C, summit wind 22 mph gusting 28 mph, 84% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:30, sunset 18:03.
-
Marginal Tomorrow Monday 19 October
Moderate drizzle, up to 12°C at the summit, feeling as cold as 5°C, summit wind 15 mph gusting 19 mph, 71% chance of rain. Rated Marginal. Sunrise 07:31, sunset 18:01.
Best day of the next seven for Coldharbour: Tuesday 20 October, with summit gusts around 16 mph and a 68% chance of rain.
Hour-by-hour Leith Hill forecast · 14-day forecast · Is it safe to climb Leith Hill?
What to take today
- A warm layer, hat and gloves: it feels like 2°C on top.
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers: 84% chance of rain.
- Map and compass, and the skills to use them. A phone is a backup, not a plan.
- A head torch, food, water, a charged phone and a small first aid kit.
About Leith Hill
Leith Hill is the highest point in south-east England, a wooded Surrey hill topped by Leith Hill Tower with views to the South Downs. More about Leith Hill, with the live forecast.
On the lists: Marilyn, historic county top, county top.
Challenges that include Leith Hill
In an emergency
Call 999, ask for the police and then mountain rescue. Give your location (the start is at TQ 151 440, the summit at TQ139431), what happened and how many are in your group. If you have no signal for a call, a text to 999 works once you have registered your phone with emergencySMS: text "register" to 999 before you go.
Coldharbour: questions and answers
How far is Coldharbour?
Coldharbour is 1.6 km one way to the summit of Leith Hill, with 94 m of ascent. There and back by the same way is about 3.2 km.
How long does Coldharbour take?
About 0h 30m to the summit of Leith Hill and 0h 50m there and back by Naismith's rule (5 km/h plus 10 minutes per 100 m of ascent), before stops. A relaxed group takes nearer 1h 0m for the round trip.
Where do you park for Coldharbour?
Coldharbour starts from Coldharbour village. The grid reference is TQ 151 440.
Is Coldharbour suitable for beginners?
Yes. Peakify grades it Easy: a fit beginner can walk it on a clear day. Take a map, warm layers and waterproofs all the same.
What time should I start Coldharbour today?
By 16:13 at the latest. Sunset on Leith Hill today is 18:03, Coldharbour takes about 0h 50m there and back, and that leaves an hour for stops. Start earlier in winter or if the forecast turns.
Is there a GPX for Coldharbour?
Not yet. The Peakify iPhone app can plan the route and export a GPX (Peakify Pro).