East Meon to South Harting: 12.5 miles/20 km, South Harting to Amberley: 20 miles/32 km, Steyning to Kingston-near-Lewes: 22 miles/35 km, Kingston-near-Lewes to Alfriston: 13 miles/21 km, Alfriston to Eastbourne: 10.5 miles/17 km. It also saves you the hassle of needing to return to the start point at the end. Its always worth asking the place you are staying if they can make you a packed lunch and this will help keep costs down as well as saving you the hassle of potentially having to detour for every meal. But nothing steep or too big. I had never even thought about doing a long distance walk but now Im super interested. This looks like a fun hike to undertake in the UK! What an accomplishment! We veered off-course by accident and followed the Monarch Way for 15 minutes before realising, but it was an easy cut across a field to rejoin the South Downs Way. The Cicerone South Downs Way guide book is my favourite, although the Trailblazer one is also good. Your feet are going to get hot and sweaty and expand in size when youre walking long distances, so to prevent blisters, you should always wear a shoe thats a size bigger. at Ye Olde Smugglers Inne for something nice but more basic (95 for 2 dinner available for an additional 20). I settled on the South Downs Way because I knew the navigation was easy and there were no major climbs. The Osprey Lumina is part of their ultra-lightweight range (it weighs just 770 grams!) For a quote you can contact info@southdownsdiscovery.com. Every time I did so, I felt exceptionally safe. Although if this isnt possible, just embrace the crowds as you near the sea. If you are attempting the South Downs Way in stages, be sure to remind whoever is collecting you at the next stop to bring water for your horse before you load them. This beautiful trail passes through some gorgeous undulating scenery, between Winchester and Eastbourne. All the hotels and b&bs come with a personal recommendation they are clean, comfortable and have great customer service. The South Downs Way is 100 miles (160 km) in length. That could, of course, be because cyclists travel faster so were more likely to overtake us. There are a number of horsebox friendly parking locations situated along the South Downs Way and near bridleways. A pub meal will cost around 20 for a main and drink and a light lunch (sandwich and snacks) 10.80-90 a day is about right for a more comfortable experience. Im actually intending to walk the trial with an off-road buggy later this year and will be blogging about my experience. The rolling hills, fantastic views, great walks and picturesque villages of the South Downs National Park offer a blissful taste of country life and make it a great location for a camping or Glamping Holiday.The fact that it's only an hour from London and within easy reach of much of the south coast are added advantages . Well.the simple answer is yes. The South Downs Way pases through the South Downs a beautiful area, which may soon become a National Park. Obviously, if you arent planning to camp you can ditch the cooking stuff, tent and sleeping gear. Read more Located within an hour of London, this delightful National Trail meanders along the crest of the Downs with far-reaching views over the patchwork fields, woods and villages of the Weald and southwards to . Friends of Sussex Hospices has . I preferred to the Hadrians Wall Walk and my boyfriend enjoyed it more than the Cotswold Way. The route passes by it on the way out of town. I'm Lauren and I've been travelling the world on a permanent basis since 2011. Picture a ramshackle pier, lots of deckchairs, sticks of rock, and so many memorial benches that you never have to walk more than three metres without having a rest option. For women you might like to take apee clothwith you (only for summer as youll need some sun to dry it). As UK is especially prone to rain Id also add waterproof trousers to this list. Your blog is full of lots of information which is great. We really liked this B&B. Unhappy Miserable People Quotes. Many hundreds of miles of single tracks and bridlepaths spurring from the South Downs Way means that the trail and National Park is a mecca for Mountain Bikers. A journey that can be taken by cyclists and horse-riders . Really friendly owners, a large breakfast, and a good location, close to the waterfront. Walk from the NT car park east along South Downs Way to Treyford and Didling Hills, via Beacon Hill and Pen Hill; back via Hooksway, Millpond Bottom, Little Round Down and Whitcombe Bottom. The energetic can walk the entire length using the South Downs Way. This long-distance trail runs for 100 miles across the breadth of the South Downs from Winchester to Eastbourne. For this reason, we opted to condense what was meant to be a 4-day hike into 3, meaning we upped our milage and reached our celebratory chip shop in Eastbourne earlier than planned. Dave's brought a map, a compass, a navigational guide for the South Downs Way, a gas canister, and a spare water pouch for me. This quiet and tranquil bed and breakfast is known for the owners going above and beyond, even sometimes picking up weary South Downs Way walkers from the trail! You do still need to be able to complete a long day hike comfortably with a day pack (or more if you are planning to camp). - Daniel Pipes. Fairly certain it would kill me, though, hahaha :-). The Devil's Punch Bowl. Sign up to my newsletter to hear when that happens. The South Downs Way is enjoyed by thousands of horses and riders each year, with many accounting its popularity to a combination of beautiful views, lovely bridleways and the wonderful going (even on those wet, winter days). Again a life-changing piece of kit. After hearing that wed walked a whopping 22 miles, she offered us free beer, drove us to the local pub, and generally made our stay as comfortable as possible. Whether you choose to hack the South Downs Way one part at a time or feel confident enough to attempt the whole trail at once, you should be prepared in the way of horsebox or trailer parking facilities, find a selection of useful information below. For this reason, the only suitable places we found were small flat spots very near to the trail itself. Given how many hills this part of the world is home to, it looked like a tough challenge. The South Downs Way isn't a particularly high-elevation hike, but that doesn't mean there aren't great views. Prices of hotels have gone up in recent years so you are looking at an average of 50 a night per person for a comfortable bed (full list of recommended accommodation below) although most will include. The room was spacious with an en-suite bathroom, supplies for breakfast, and a little terrace to sit out on. For starters Im terrified of spiders and hopelessly squeamish. Thanks for reading :-). This is such a wonderful trail through a beautiful part of the country. The South Downs National Park and the South Downs Way: The official leaflet for the South Downs Way National Park and South Downs Way National Trail. South Downs Way fact file. Tackle the South Downs Way, the trail on which walkers, cyclists, and equestrians can explore the 99-mile (160-kilometer) length of the national park from Winchester to the chalk cliffs of Beachy . This 100 mile (160km) off-road National Trail picks its way through the entire length of the South . It begins in Winchester, Hampshire and ends in Eastbourne, East Sussex . battled the censors a @RandPauld helped many of us learn: More 6. We loved our hike although it wasnt without its challenges. Or you could try and beat the 14hour running record if you really want to give your legs a battering! Miserable Person Quotes. Why? When riding the South Downs Way, you may wish to stop over at a horse-friendly B&B or find a livery yard for the evening. uva scott stadium parking. Although I had a map with me it was barely taken out of the bag except for planning camp spots and calculating out how far wed come. I also have really flat feet, but I used to run (like a zillion years ago now) so I think I could handle it. Its lightweight and excellent for long-distance hikes. We started on the 8th July and it landed us with wonderful sunshine. How easy would it be to camp on the South Downs Way? The park is bountiful with many places to stay including hotels, bunkhouses, Bed and Breakfasts, campsites and even yurts and shepherds huts. And be the first to hear about my upcoming adventure plans and big announcements, with a sprinkle of advice and inspiration. The smell . You can have a rough plan of how far you want to travel each day but can also just see how the day takes you, stopping when you find a suitable place to pitch your tents or bivvy bags. We met just three other people that were walking the entire distance, although there were dozens of other people out on day hikes. / the south downs way is beyond miserable. Just like the campsites, you are going to need to factor in travelling to and from your hotel as there really arent loads of options that fall directly on the trail itself. This is a very manageable trail in so much as the route is easy to follow and the terrain is flat and with very little ascent. The South Downs Way is only about an hour from London and is easily accessible by public transport. Someone who's miserable feels absolutely awful. As with any other hack, we strongly recommend you bring your mobile phone, allowing you to contact someone for help should it be required. 2. 8 days is a reasonable target for most people with reasonable fitness . Despite my blisters and foot pain, I absolutely loved walking the South Downs Way. Stretching the full width of the South Downs National Park . Day 1: Winchester to East Meon (18 miles)Staying at: Angel Cottage B&B (58 for 2 including breakfast), Day 2: East Meon to Cocking (18 miles)Staying at: Hysett House Inn (90 for 2 people including breakfast), Day 3: Cocking to Amberley (12 miles)Staying at: Black Horse (150 for 2 people including breakfast), Day 4: Amberley to Steyning (11 miles)Staying at: Uppingham B&B (150 for 2 people including breakfast), Day 5: Steyning to Pyecombe (10 miles)Staying at: Period Cottage (131 for 2 people including breakfast), Day 6: Pyecombe to Southease (15 miles)Staying at: YHA South Downs (30 for 2 people in a private room. The hardest obstacle literally was the surface of the track. Originally from the U.K., I've now spent over a decade travelling the world with my Kiwi partner. 26. Characterised by its rolling hills and chalk downland, the South Downs Way has impeccable drainage properties, meaning there shouldnt be any slippery ground or swollen legs when riding the South Downs Way. Whatever you use, make sure you take a battery pack (I always use an Anker pack) as having a fully charged phone is essential for safety as well as useful should you need to check things like opening times or to call a pub to make a reservation. But as anyone who has tried wild camping and a self-contained hike knows, there is some satisfaction to being out in the elements overnight.even if it does mean getting a bit wet! Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience. It looks beautiful so probably worth all of the foot pain! 8-9 days is a good estimate to walk the entire route at an easy pace. I marked all the water options on the map and in advance planned how much I needed to fill up at eat spot to keep me going to the next. During the summer, bees and butterflies flit over classic flowers such as orchids, scabious, gorse and heather. Arrival day if you need to overnight in Winchester I suggest staying at The Old Vine (140 for 2 people including a great breakfast) which is conveniently located for transport and to start the trail. The South Downs is a long range of chalk hills, and the trail runs largely along the top of them. It gave my joints a chance to rest and my hiking poles helped me push myself upwards at a startling speed. Organise your ride today with the support of our helpful information hub. The many hundreds of miles of single track and bridlepaths spurring from the South Downs Way the trail and National Park means it is not only a haven for horse riders but a mecca for Mountain Bikers. I loved the simplicity of a long-distance walk, where youre offline and immersed in your destination, where the only thing you have to worry about is putting one foot in front of the other. As long as youre prepared for the tough surfaces, youre going to have a great experience. The South Downs way can be done in one go taking between 5 and 7 days or else in sections. Hiking poles will help you conserve energy, keep your weight off your hips and knees, and help so much on the uphill and downhill. Yes, Im fortunate to have feet that are as flat as the floor I stand on and it made for a tough challenge. I loved Winchester and wished Id had more time to explore its beautiful buildings. by . There is little shelter for long stretches so when it did rain we had no choice but to keep pushing on. The South Downs is a national park in South East England. Its probably just as likely youll walk through the rain, so dont forget to bring something waterproof. If you have any questions, please do use the comments box below. Kingston near Lewes:Airbnb in Kingston Another wonderful place to stay! If there's an untouched beach, an up-and-coming city, or a recently-discovered travel hack, you can bet that we've already written about it. Navigation wise, the trail is consistently marked (with an Acorn on the signpost waymarker indication a National Trail with a yellow arrow showing the right way for foot users). Not only is the surface of the South Downs Way constantly conspiring to destroy your feet, but theres a remarkable amount of ups and downs to deal with. I wont say its impossible to get lost on the South Downs Way mostly because I did actually get lost on the South Downs Way. Growing up in Hampshire I wasnt far from the South Downs Way. Theres so many places to stay in Eastbourne, but overall, this spot was decent. The downside to having the views is that you are very exposed and this was our biggest challenge as we ended up hiking in some pretty poor weather (it was a rainy long weekend in May). As I mentioned at the start of this post, the South Downs Way is regarded as one of the easiest of the 16 National Trails. Looks like you had an amazing time and such an achievement! Subscribe to leave a comment. The undulating path begins in Winchester and moves past Cheesefoot Head, the towns of Petersfield and Arundel, the market town of Steyning, Devils Dyke viewpoint near Brighton, and miles of chalk downland . Providing a very different experience! It is, however, absolutely overpriced, as Osprey recently discontinued it. Your email address will not be published. Day 8: Alfriston to Eastbourne (11 miles)Staying at: Albert & Victoria (77 for 2 including breakfast.an AMAZING hotel!!). If we were staying in a pub, wed simply walk downstairs to eat. Dont let that fool you, though: this walk is still challenging. We hop on the train to Eastbourne, and examine the hiking route we'll be taking. For those of you who want to make your walk a little easier, there is a bag transportation service you can utilise. We stayed at the Ecolodge while walking the South Downs Way. Eastbourne is a rundown old seaside resort that famously appeals to many retired people across the country. 4 - People - this is the most populated National Park with over 117,000 people and 2.2m living within 10km. Some people opt to blast through the trail in six days and some take as many as 10. Ah, that makes me so happy to hear! Our comprehensive guide to the South Downs Way means that planning your trip has never been easier. In terms of difficulty, our guidebook suggested the South Downs Way is one of Britain's easiest National Trails. Ever since I read Wild by Cheryl Strayed, I thought it would interesting to hike/walk a long distance. "Pain and suffering are . Plan a cycling adventure today with our comprehensive guide. There are 2 factors to consider when picking your dates. This will also save you the job of having to hunt down supermarkets to stock up along the way although a couple of the villages you pass have small shops and convenience stores. Debit cards, train tickets, and cash (I'd like to say I didn't use the debit cards and cash, but that's wishful thinking) Reading glasses and a pair of cheap spares (Poundland!) Home chevron_right Activities chevron_right Riding the South Downs Way. Ecstasy (noun): an overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement.From the Greek ecstasis (standing outside oneself). We mark out potential spots for wild camping, and discuss how far we can . A big section of the South Downs is privately owned farmland which you shouldnt be camping on without permission. Of course, theres a hell of a lot of ups and downs on this day, but if youve walked the entire South Downs Way, youll be well and truly used to the undulation by this point. Take a Look at our recommended walks. You can also just navigate using a phone. Ive done long sections of this walk and Im now going to be completing the final 40 miles (Steyning area to Eastbourne) over two days in 2 weeks time. - Jason Paul. Long Man of Wilmington & Litlington White Horse. Day 5: Amberley to Poynings 18 milesCamping at Saddlescombe Farm (Saddlescombe Road, Poynings, BN45 7DE) close to the trail. Excited squeal! And lets face it: heading downstairs to have dinner is exactly whats needed after a long day of walking. Take a look at our guide for recommended walks. Although wild camping isnt the easiest on the trail and most people opt for b&bs or campsites, its absolutely doable (more on that below). Plus, its location in the south of England meant that we would be more likely to encounter dry weather. There was an-suite bathroom, an exceptionally comfortable bed, and a pub just a few metres away. As part of a small series on walking the South Downs Way, here is my day to day account, featuring green hills, no rain, lots of cyclists, more walking than anticipated and some crappy gear. February - April: AustraliaMay: South KoreaJune: The U.K.July: IrelandAugust: Mauritius, Rodrigues. Are a number of horsebox friendly parking locations situated along the South is. Sun to dry it ) excitement.From the Greek ecstasis ( standing outside oneself ), large..., wed simply walk downstairs to eat, and examine the hiking we! Plus, its location in the South Downs Way day hikes me though. Fortunate to have feet that are as flat as the floor I on! 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Chevron_Right Riding the South Downs a beautiful part of the South Downs Way super interested record! Rest and my hiking poles helped me push myself upwards at a startling speed support our... By Cheryl Strayed, I absolutely loved walking the South Downs Way guide book is my favourite, the! One is also good taken by cyclists and horse-riders and wished Id had more to!
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