Devil's Jumps, Churt

Devil's Jumps are three small hills near the village of Churt in Surrey, within the Waverley borough of southern England. They are natural hills, not burial mounds. People come for the heathland walking, the views and a local tale about the Devil. The hills sit close to Frensham Common, a favourite area for walkers.

What are the Devil's Jumps?

The three rises run roughly east to west. In the 18th century they were recorded as the "Devil's Three Jumps". Each has its own name and height:

• High Jump (west) is the tallest at about 126 m (413 ft),
• Middle Jump stands about 100 m high and once carried a 19th-century astronomical observatory,
• Stony Jump (east) reaches about 120 m.

The observatory on the middle hill was built by Richard Christopher Carrington, a British astronomer best known for his work on the Sun.

What is the legend?

Local lore says the Devil leapt from hill to hill and angered the god Thor. Thor, said to have lived at nearby Thursley ("Thor's Lie"), hurled a boulder at him. The Devil fled and the stone stayed by the hills. A similar story is attached to the Devil's Jumps barrows at Treyford in West Sussex, which is a separate site far from Churt.

How do you plan a walk?

The hills feature on several local walking routes, mostly on sandy tracks and paths.

• A loop from Churt starting at the Bel & The Dragon inn climbs to the easternmost hill and covers about 6.5 miles.
• A walk from Frensham Great Pond follows mainly easy footpaths, with an optional short climb up to the Devil's Jumps.
• A well-known circuit around Frensham Little Pond and the Devil's Jumps is about 5 miles (8 km).

Wear sturdy shoes, as the sandy ground can turn soft after rain.

What else is nearby?

King's Ridge on Frensham Common carries ancient burial mounds, which are often confused with the Devil's Jumps. Frensham Little Pond is also worth a stop. It has been used for grazing since the Bronze Age and is now managed by the National Trust.

Frequently asked questions

Are the Devil's Jumps Bronze Age barrows?

No. The Churt Devil's Jumps are natural hills. The barrows with a similar name are at Treyford in West Sussex.

Which hill is the highest?

High Jump, the westernmost, at about 126 m.

How long does the walk take?

The Frensham Little Pond circuit is about 5 miles, roughly 2 to 3 hours at an easy pace. The route from Churt is longer at around 6.5 miles.

Where does the name come from?

From the legend of the Devil jumping between the hills and Thor throwing a boulder at him.