The low option is no less hilly, though the climb is reserved to the end; nor less rural, though closer to the M25.
Shoreham village 0.5 is worth exploring, including diversions towards the river (and on to Shoreham, for services from Sevenoaks & Maidstone). The Darent opens up beyond its cut through the Downs, but Cycle Orbital is turning west; 2.5 Over the M25 and L for Chevening on a busy A224; the Pilgrim’s Way is unavailable until after Chevening House*. At the left bend in the road 3.5, indicate R and take the bridleway to 4 Chevening Church (access rights unconfirmed but walkable in 5 minutes). L to skirt the Chevening estate (R at 4.4 and 4.8, also 5.3 – but L for Spinoff 5 link on track to Sundridge), until L 6 on Pilgrim’s Way proper.
You are far enough away from the M25 to enjoy the serenity of hillside views (Chalk escarpment to the N, Greensand dip slope to the S) and mixed farmland, including vineyards. There is a choice of climb back to the N Downs Way: 1] 8.4 Westerham Hill, then L off-road on The Avenue and Chestnut Ave; 2] 9.4 Clarks Lane (recommended for steady gradient and views); 3] 10.7 R Titsey Hill is steep and shaded. For rides into the Kentish Weald take any of the lanes south off this route; Spinoff 5 loop ‘returns’ 9.4 from Westerham.
After a recce beyond Oxted (May 2025), the route now extends westward to a new Arc 6 boundary point at Winders Hill, where lovely Spoke 3 reaches the lip of the Downs. This is more logical than Titsey summit as a junction.
At 10.7 Titsey, L on comparatively busy B269 to Limpsfield. 11.8 R through suburbs to Oxted station 12.7. Walk through the underpass, continuing on and over the A25 13.2 to Old Oxted. L 13.4 to Broadham Green, then R 14.1 on a delightful multi-surfaced bridleway to 15.1 Tandridge. R Jackass Lane, which is an abandoned metalled road (caution - unstable surface in places), reaching 15.8 the A25 again. A brief descent to the A22 roundabout, then R 16.4 on Flower Lane, which rises over the M25 to meet 17.3 the sharply descending Arc 5 High on Gravelly Hill, for the last 300m on Woldingham School's private drive to the junction with Spoke 3.
*my modest proposal is to permit access to cyclists and walkers to the Pilgrim's Way through the estate, perhaps hidden by a ha-ha and security-protected - so we can follow in the tracks of the Wife of Bath and the Miller!
