South Downs Way
| South Downs Way | |
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| South Downs Way, looking towards Chanctonbury Ring | |
| Length | 160 km (99 mi) |
| Location | South Eastern England, United Kingdom |
| Designation | UK National Trail |
| Trailheads | Winchester Hampshire 51°03′47″N 1°18′25″W / 51.063°N 1.307°W Eastbourne, East Sussex 50°45′04″N 0°16′08″E / 50.751°N 0.269°E |
| Use | Hiking |
| Elevation Change | 4,150 m (13,620 ft) |
| Highest point | Butser Hill, 270 m (890 ft)[1] |
| Trail difficulty | Easy |
| Season | All year |
| Sights | Long Man of Wilmington, Chanctonbury Ring |
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 (99 mi) from Winchester in Hampshire, to Eastbourne in East Sussex with about 4,150 m (13,620 ft) of ascent and descent.[2]
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[edit] Route
The undulating path begins in Winchester and moves past Cheesefoot Head, the towns of Petersfield and Arundel, the town of Steyning, Devil's Dyke viewpoint near Brighton, followed by Ditchling Beacon and miles of chalk downland across to Beachy Head, and finally ending in Eastbourne.
Several youth hostels are along the route to accommodate walkers. It also passes Birling Gap, a beach area with hotel and restaurant. The opportunity to swim here is irresistible to a perspiring rambler, despite the pebble beach.
At Rodmell on the trail, Virginia Woolf drowned herself in the River Ouse in 1941.
[edit] Geography
Much of the South Downs Way is on high chalk downland and the views are always interesting. Perhaps the most dramatic vistas are on the high chalk cliffs on the Seven Sisters, Sussex towards Beachy Head and before the descent to Eastbourne. However, there are also superb views in clear weather from the ridgeway sections on the tops of the downs, especially on Ditchling Beacon.
The Way lies within the South Downs National Park. There is plenty of historic interest along the way, such as the Long Man of Wilmington near Eastbourne. Diversions are needed to visit Brighton or Lewes, the latter town being of great beauty with an historic centre. 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 at a leisurely pace in about a week while a good walker, 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.
Various events are held along the route; including the British Heart Foundation's annual Randonee. Part or all of the 100 miles is cycled to raise funds for heart disease, the fastest times are sub 8 hours with most riders taking under 14 hours.
[edit] Views
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The cape of Beachy Head at the eastern end of the path
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View from the summit of Ditchling Beacon towards the north-east
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[edit] See also
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ National Trail
- ^ The bridleway route is 8 km (5.0 mi) shorter. National Trails website.
- Millmore, Paul (2010), South Downs Way (National Trail Guides), London: Aurum Press, ISBN 1845135652. Route indicated using OS maps.
- OS Explorer Maps (1:25,000) 120, 121, 122, 123, 132
- OS Landranger Maps (1:50,000) 185, 197, 198, 199
[edit] External links
- The South Downs Way from NationalTrails.gov.uk
- South Downs Way Journal from kevanliz
- South Downs Way from southdownsway.co.uk - describes route broken into sections
- Photos of the South Downs Way on geograph.org.uk
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