The trail stretches for some 100 miles from historic winchester in hampshire to the coastal resort of eastbourne in east sussex and encompasses some of the very finest countryside that england has to offer. The purpose of this brighton and hove u3a guide to the south downs way is. Pg 3 south downs way off road bike ride map 1 steep descent with loose surface road crossing manor barn, hill barn lane, cocking gu29 0hs. It has ascents of approx 4200m, whichever direction you go, and is between 100 and 106 miles, depending on whether you walk or cycle. Amberley working museum excellent museum of local history, just off the way. See here for details of car parking and transport arrangements. The trail runs for 160 km 100 mi from winchester in hampshire to eastbourne in east sussex, with about 4,150 m. South downs way 162km cycle route near winchester id. Trek 100km across the south downs in under 30 hours and help end poverty with every step. The south downs way is a long distance footpath and bridleway running along the south downs in southern england. This walk covers the western end of the south downs way from the small village of exton in hampshire. Are you a team of four tough enough to take on trailwalker. The south downs way ordnance survey map view and print off detailed os map.
Heres a suggested eight day south downs way walking itinerary which should be helpful if you plan to organise your own accommodation and use our baggage transfer service. The south downs are a popular area for ramblers with a network of over 2,000 miles 3,200 km of wellmanaged, wellsigned and easily accessible trails. The topic reliable gpx for south downs way is closed to. South downs the u3a way how to walk 100 miles and enjoy it. The south downs way route runs through the heart of the south downs national park in southern england. South downs way double cycling the south downs way twice. Really useful maps, routes and information for the south downs way. Explore the south downs way with ease with these bite sized linear walks that start and end at public transport points.
The south downs national park and the south downs way. We like the south downs way adventure series book of maps which shows the route on ordnance survey explorer map tiles 1. The challenge is to walk, jog or run 100km nonstop across the south downs way in under 30 hours in a team of four, with a support crew of two members to help you get to the finish line. It is one of 16 national trails in england and wales. Its just over 160km in length, or 100 miles in old units, and is split into 10 official sections. South downs way is a 100mile route on the national cycle network, connecting eastbourne to winchester. Near the devils dyke theres a couple of pretty villages with nice pubs to stop off at. The 106 miles of the south downs way runs from eastbourne to winchester. Travel to winchester, one of englands most beautiful cities, just over an hour south west of london and spend the evening at your first nights accommodation day 2. The south downs way is one of 15 national trails in england and wales and was the first bridleway national trail in england. A guide to campsites and hotels on the south downs way national trail. Aug 23, 2019 the south downs way stretches from the city of winchester to eastbourne, crossing the entire length of the south downs naitonal park.
Located within an hour from the countrys capital city, this national trail is the perfect escape from often hectic city life. The trail is open to walkers, cyclists and horse riders. South downs way south downs national park authority. Organised with the queens gurkha signals, trailwalker is a unique opportunity to put your mind and body to the test. The route undulates along the northern escarpment of the chalk downs for much of the way, offering extensive views north continued. Of course, of all those people over all those years, someones got to have made the quickest journey, thereandback. South downs way itinerary 8day walk south downs discovery. Following government advice to stay safe and protect the nhs, we are working hard to continue to deliver for you. It runs for 100 miles 160 km from the cathedral city of winchester to the spectacular white cliffs of east sussex, finishing at eastbourne. The summary timetable at the end of this guide gives an overview of public transport links please check the operators website for full details. Whichever is the official route i took the path to the top of the hill, which has stunning views in all directions making the steep climb worthwhile.
Winchester is a beautiful city with a lot to see, including the cathedral. If youd prefer for us to take all the hassle out of arranging your trip, our eight day walking holiday is perfect if youd like to some time to explore places of interest en route. Route out of winchester to the start of the well signposted section of the south downs way the route from station to the start of the sdw is a little convoluted, hence these directions. The south downs way field guide tells you about flora and fauna on the trail, from common birds to butterflies and farm crops.
Click on itineraries and prices for various route options. Reliable gpx for south downs way singletrack magazine forum. South downs way map south downs way tours professional. The 100 mile 160 km long south downs way national trail follows old routes and droveways along the chalk escarpment and ridges of the south downs. A guide to horse riding in the south downs way national park. The south downs way national trail guide 2012 by paul millmore. Raise money, push yourself to the limit, and face a challenge youll. South downs way 83km walking route near waterlooville.
The south downs way is well signposted and easy to follow. Your guide to the south downs way visit chichester. It is also the only national trail to lie entirely within a national park. As cyclists cover the distance quite quickly a guidebook is not needed really, especially since so much information is available on the web. Here the map indicates that the south downs way turns right, going round the edge of the hill, but the signs do appear to point you up to the top of the hill. The south downs way is one of englands popular national trails. The north downs way then climbs to the beautiful st marthas hill and st marthas church, from where there are excellent views to the south. Download pdf 240kb a guide to drinking water sources along the south downs way national trail. Most people spend 7 days walking the whole south downs way.
Theyre community curated and backed by strava activity data to help you choose the right roads and paths. The south downs national park and the south downs way contact south downs national park authority. The route provides the visitor with the opportunity to get away from it all without having to travel too far in this busy part of england. There are different routes around old winchester hill for walkers and cyclists, and again from exton to the top of beacon hill, so follow the signs and use your map here if at all confused. Theyre community curated and backed by strava activity data. The monarchs way, having originated at worcester, crosses the south downs and ends at shorehambysea. This walk climbs onto the downs, passing through beautiful open country side to the city of winchester, the western end of the south downs way. Trail which is clearly waymarked along the length of the path.
The south downs way is a mainly offroad, mountain bike route which traces a route through the rolling hills of sussex and hampshire. The path continues past the famous beauty sport of newlands corner and then continues through woodland to hackhurst downs where there is a path into the pretty village of gomshall. South downs way bridleway inland route via the long man of wilmington and jevington back to eastbourne 8. This is a particularly beautiful area, and almost all of the route sits in the south downs national park. Amberley village one of the prettiest villages in the south downs, just off the way. Please bear in mind that both the 7 and 8 day options include. Stretching for 100 miles through englands newest national park, to the seaside town of eastbourne, this walking holiday offers a fabulous taste of this. South downs way by bus and train south downs national park. To show how groups of u3a members completed the 100mile national trail from winchester to eastbourne in a series of weekly daywalks in 20, 2014, 2015 and 2018. From beacon hill the way for walkers becomes more of a path and takes a more or less direct line to exton across several fields and their hedges. The charming pub traces its history back to the 14th century and has a very good menu. This six mile circular walk will take you down the meanders of the cuckmere to the seven sisters visitor centre and then back through friston forest along the south downs way. National park, rich in landscape, culture and wildlife.
There are many guidebooks available, most including maps of the route. The south downs way national trail the whole route described in 3 stages and routes around winchester, chichester and petersfield, arundel and worthing, brighton and lewes and eastbourne. The south downs way self guided walking holiday the south downs way stretches 100 miles from the historic city of winchester to the coastal chalk hills on the south coast. The 160kilometre south downs way follows the old routes and droveways along the chalk escarpment and ridges of the south downs, passing over some of the most beautiful and calming scenery in southern britain. The south downs way stretches from the city of winchester to eastbourne, crossing the entire length of the south downs naitonal park.
The 26 routes in this book are graded blue, red and black for a range of abilities, and grouped into 6 sections. The south downs way route guide south downs discovery. As you bike from eastbourne to winchester youll be treated to breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Stretching from the ancient cathedral city of winchester in the west, first capital of england, through to the white chalky cliffs of the seven.
Catch the 2829 bus from brighton, lewes, uckfield or tunbridge wells to housedean farm. Winchester to exton 12 miles 19 km the first day of the south downs way begins at the. The south downs way goes along the grassy and chalky south downs in the south of england. Most days include walking up to a ridge and then enjoying the relatively flat walk for a few hours whilst you enjoy the view. Strava cycling route south downs way strava routes. The trail runs for 160 km 100 mi from winchester in hampshire to eastbourne in east sussex, with about 4,150 m,620 ft of ascent and descent. The places listed in bold are to be found on the trail, the places listed in italic are near by villages with facilities such as public transport, refreshments and. Jul 07, 2017 join abbie barnes as she explores the south downs way national trail, which stretches 100 miles from the historic cathedral city of winchester, across sussex, and ends high up on the undulating. If arriving from brighton, walk east, crossing the farm. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and bird watching. Make the most of your run or ride with strava routes. The 6 day holiday has 4 long days and should only be attempted if you are fit and used to walking long distances day after day.
The south downs way runs from winchester eastwards to eastbourne and is a beautiful unspoilt route at the centre of the newly formed south downs national park. Cross back over the bridge from alfriston and head east on the south downs way bridleway inland route via the long man of wilmington and. Join abbie barnes as she explores the south downs way national trail, which stretches 100 miles from the historic cathedral city of winchester, across sussex, and. South downs way including map, gps files and statistics. There is a network of bus routes running throughout. The south downs way open street map view and print off detailed map. A sign over the top said that the south downs way would be going that way, but basically didnt yet people following it would ultimately find a dead end. The 9th section has two options, an inland version via jevington and a coastal south downs way interactive map and route read more. Find information here on how to enjoy the national park virtually, and how our services are operating during this time. The official leaflet for the south downs way national park and south downs way national trail. This beautiful 100 mile long trail runs from winchester to the coastal town of eastbourne. South downs circular route west sussex, england alltrails. Mountain bike guide for the south downs way national trail. The south downs way stretches 100 miles from the historic city of winchester to the coastal chalk hills on the south coast.
Exit the train station towards the city centre and turn right along station road, parallel to the railway line. Well, with time to waste, i popped through the stile and went to see where the south downs way would be going. The principal bridleway, and longest of them, is the south downs way. The summary timetable at the end of this guide gives an. South downs way walking holidays from mickledore travel. We also gazed across the meon valley in which exton lies, towards old winchester hill, our opening challenge for day 2. Butser hill is the highest point of the south downs way and there are stunning views south towards portsmouth, the solent and the isle of wight. This maps shows the route between winchester and eastbourne.
South downs way day 1 winchester to exton south downs. The charming pub traces its history back to the 14th century and has a. The end result of all those collective decisions and knowledge is the south downs way. Historical sites varying from the neolithic to world war 2 are present on the route. South downs way interactive map and route walk the south. Nine of us set off from winchesters guildhall at around. The 100 miles 160 km long south downs way national trail follows the old routes and droveways along the chalk escarpment and ridges of the south downs. It follows an exhilarating bridleway route along the rolling chalk downs of sussex. The views are stunning as you follow the undulating route through the east hampshire and sussex downs. Mountain biking routes on the south downs mtb cicerone. South downs way the south downs way starts at the ancient and historic city of winchester and follows the northern crest of the chalk escarpment of the south downs, all the way to the sea. The south downs way national trail is 162km 101 miles route. South downs way self guided walking holiday macs adventure.