THE North Downs Way which begins in Farnham has become the first National trail in the UK to be fully captured by the Google Trekker.

A presentation of the new programme took place at the Farnham Town Council offices in South Street, with the Mayor of Farnham, Pat Frost, and the Mayor of Waverley, Mike Band, then officially marking the launch by cutting the ribbon at the dramatic new sculpture which marks the start of the trail at the junction of Station Hill.

Earlier in the year the intrepid North Downs Way explorers headed out into the great British countryside with the Google Trekker to record a 360-degree panoramic experience of the trail.

Following in the footsteps of some of the world’s most famous treks and national parks, the North Downs Way is blazing the trail for highlighting how great the UK’s countryside is.

The North Downs Way is one of only 15 designated National Trails in England and Wales with diverse appeal and many unique features. Passing through 153 miles of stunning and varied countryside, the North Downs Way passes through the protected landscapes of the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Kent Downs AONB.

This makes the trail a great place for a family day out, short walks, life-changing long-distance walks, rides and always triumphs with a rural, rustic pub lunch.

The route begins at the new start sculpture in Farnham at the junction of Station Hill (made locally by the Utopia Forge in Guildford and designed by FdK Design) and follows a chalk ridge that winds over hills and grassland, passing through valleys and ancient woodland emerging onto the White Cliffs of Dover.

Much of the trail follows the historic pilgrims’ tracks travelling between the World Heritage Site in Canterbury to Winchester. The trail reveals no end of English treasures – archbishops’ palaces, stately homes and gardens, Neolithic sites, Roman and Napoleonic forts, medieval castles and World War II fortifications, to name but a few.

North Downs Way team manager Peter Morris said: “This joint project with Google effectively provides the equivalent of Street View for those looking to venture off-road. The new technology offers a ‘try before you buy’ experience designed to give people a real sense of the countryside around them and inspire them to enjoy the trail at first hand.”

In highlighting the health and potential business benefits to the local economy, he thanked all those responsible for making the project possible. In particular he pointed to the “huge enthusiasm of Farnham and District Ramblers, who continue to work tirelessly in ensuring that newcomers and experienced walkers alike can easily navigate this initial stretch of the North Downs Way.”