South Downs Way

Near Beachy Head

The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath and bridleway, running along the South Downs in southern England, and is one of 15 National Trails in England and Wales. The trail runs for 160 km (100 miles) east from Winchester in Hampshire, to Eastbourne in East Sussex with about 4 150 metres (13 600 feet) of ascent and descent.

The undulating path moves past the towns of Petersfield and Arundel, the village of Steyning, Devil's Dyke viewpoint near Brighton, and miles of chalk downland. Several youth hostels are along the route to accommodate walkers. It also passes Birling Gap, a beach area with Hotel and restaurant. Other highlights include The Long Man of Wilmington, Ditchling Beacon, Chanctonbury Ring and Rodmell where Virginia Woolf drowned herself in the River Ouse in 1941.

Much of the South Downs Way is on high chalk downland and the views are dramatic. The Way is solely within the Sussex Downs and East Hampshire Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, likely soon to become the South Downs National Park. There is plenty of historic interest along the way. Without exception it is a very well maintained and signposted route. While it crosses various villages for provisions much of it is surprisingly isolated and quiet considering the density of the population in south-east England.

It can be walked in about a week while a horse rider or cyclist would take two or three days. It is closed to motorised traffic along the route and this rule is generally observed.

The National Trail Guide entitled South Downs Way by Paul Millmore ISBN 1-85410-966-9 gives all the details needed including OS maps.

External links

• The South Downs Way from NationalTrails.gov.uk
• Walk 100km of this amazing trail in 30 hours in Oxfam's biggest fundraising event
• Charity Walking event on South Downs
• South Downs Way Journal from kevanliz
• Sussex South Downs Guide