Distance: 100 miles over three days. Day 4: Chichester to Amberley 13 miles (Camping wild camp spot)Camping at High Tittern (High Tittern Lane, Amberley, grid ref. To be honest, while the downhills werent wonderful for my knees and hips, the uphills were surprisingly enjoyable. Difficulty level: easy to moderate. There are other accommodation options in Lewes from B&B to Airbnb rooms or Id recommend wild camping this night***. I decided I wanted to stretch myself more as a hiker and to try a multi-day hike..specifically one that was wild camping. We loved our hike although it wasnt without its challenges. Is Rishi Sunaks Brexit deal all its cracked up to be? South Harting:The White Hart We loved the White Hart! 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. We encountered far more cyclists than walkers, but only a handful of horse riders. Below is an 8 day suggested route plan for anyone wanting to use accommodation en route. The room was spacious with an en-suite bathroom, supplies for breakfast, and a little terrace to sit out on. Fairly certain it would kill me, though, hahaha :-). Once youve finished your hike, head to the ocean for a swim/paddle and then grab a bag of chips. On a trail like the South Downs Way, I view them as a hiking essential. On Never Ending Footsteps, I aim to show you how you can explore this planet safely, adventurously, and affordably. The South Downs Way has become the first fully accessible national trail! Now even the U.S. Energy Department has come to that conclusion. Designated a National Trail, the South Downs Way attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year each looking to get a taste of the stunning South Downs National Park. The . In fact, there was a part of me that was eager to turn around at the finish line and walk back to Winchester! The trail can be really busy during sunny weekends. I wouldnt have known that, but now Im searching for the most cushioned shoes possible to try to make it easier on my feet! Throughout my time on the trail, I would separate from Dave in order to spend some time with my thoughts. Again a life-changing piece of kit. Day 1: Winchester to Cheriton 6 mileCamping at Holdean Farm (Cheriton, Nr Alresford, hants, So24 0NX) close to the trail. Hmmm.. you could try just doing a couple of days of the South Downs Way to start with, rather than the entire thing. The South Downs Way comes in at 100 miles and runs between Winchester and Eastbourne through the South Downs National Park. We recommend that you wear your usual riding attire, as well as waterproofs if the weather is looking like it could be damp. Walking conditions are reasonably easy due to the fast draining chalk, though some sections are steep. We hop on the train to Eastbourne, and examine the hiking route we'll be taking. Follow, Or for something really challenging, how about the. This is Aalto. It begins in Winchester, Hampshire and ends in Eastbourne, East Sussex . The Birling Gap is one of best known parts of the south coast Credit: Getty. You can also just navigate using a phone. With Bivvy bags you would definitely find wild camping South Downs easier (read more about in this Bivvy Bag guide). For the end, you will be catching a train from Eastbourne. Over the years, Ive walked many sections of the trail multiple times over the (especially my favourite stretch the Seven Sisters walk which you can do as a lovely day hike). The South Downs Way Route. Are there any places that would recommend for lunch stops or cafes for takeaway on the route please? I'm here to help you explore this planet safely, adventurously, and affordably. Obviously, if you arent planning to camp you can ditch the cooking stuff, tent and sleeping gear. And same! Day three: 28 miles to Winchester (25 miles on the trail). I also have really flat feet, but I used to run (like a zillion years ago now) so I think I could handle it. National Trails are long-distance footpaths, with distances ranging from 79 miles on the Yorkshire Wolds Way to a whopping 2,795 miles[!] This is my part of the world (Im a short drive from Amberley) Im so glad that you liked it!! Originally from the U.K., I've now spent over a decade travelling the world with my Kiwi partner. This is such a wonderful trail through a beautiful part of the country. Looks great! The South Downs Way is a long distance walking trail that runs for 100 miles across the length of the South Downs. Western Downs: Harting Downs to Treyford Hill. You'll find some of the best stargazing spots in England in places like Old Winchester Hill, Harting . Steyning:Uppingham B&B Such a lovely owner and bright, airy room! Great write-up it made me feel as though I was walking the South Downs Way alongside you! If wed been staying in hotels and b&bs theres no doubt we would have kept to 4 days with the promise of a dry bed and shower each night. Merrell are king when it comes to long-distance walking, and I decided on the Merrell Accentor shoes for this walk. The route covers the length of the South Downs National Park, the UK's most popular and most visited National Park.. 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. Or you could try and beat the 14hour running record if you really want to give your legs a battering! Plus, its location in the south of England meant that we would be more likely to encounter dry weather. We settled on eight days for our walk, although by the end of the adventure, we both agreed that one extra day would have been appreciated. But with some considerations. Just curious why some days you walked 8 miles and others 22 :). I found that I drank so much more when I had a mouthpiece beside me at all times. The Cicerone South Downs Way guide book is my favourite, although the Trailblazer one is also good. It might be easier using a South Downs Way Route Planner app such as Komoot, which are designed to provide hikers with useful information and to work offline should you lose signal. Most people spend 7 or 8 days walking the whole South Downs Way. (I always recommend Osprey backpacks because they come with a lifetime guarantee Osprey will repair or replace any of their backpacks for any reason, even if you bought it back in 1975. Probably the most comfortable backpack Ive ever worn. 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. The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath in Southern England and is one of Britain's National Trails. TQ032123) which is a wild camping space right on the trail. This was partly in preparation for a 1000km trek I was planning, hiking the length of Israel. Hope that makes sense. Far more importantly, we fundamentally disagree over his handling of the pandemic. We found the terrain to be easy underfoot and the sloping climbs manageable with our heavy packs containing all our camping gear and food. Three winter walks on the South Downs. Ah, thank you! There was an-suite bathroom, an exceptionally comfortable bed, and a pub just a few metres away. The 9 day trip is done at a more leisurely pace. The majority of the path is a bridleway and so can be used by horse . For this reason, the only suitable places we found were small flat spots very near to the trail itself. Subscribe to leave a comment. 5. Although the relentlessness of the hills shouldnt be underestimated, Id say this is a good trail for hiking and backpacking beginners. I can recomend checking out: Here are some useful links to other resources, as well as links to blogs to give you a different perspective from others who have hiked the route: Thank you for reading my guide and I hope it was helpful I really do love this hike and I hope this will make it easier for you to plan your own adventure. For those of you who want to make your walk a little easier, there is a bag transportation service you can utilise. South Downs Way - 8 Days & 7 Nights. Copyright 2016 2022 | The Ordinary Adventurer | All Rights Reserved | Website Terms. Day one: 40 miles Eastbourne-Upper Beeding (39 miles on the trail). I invested in this high-end pairfrom Black Diamond and adored them. Birds fill woods and gardens with song in spring, while a relay of snowdrops, daffodils, and bluebells brighten verges and woodlands. Ultra hikers and runners often cover the distance in a 2-day 100mile challenge (hats off to them!). March 3, 2022 by Leslie Gilmour. The South Downs, Truleigh Hill and Eastbourne hostels are on the route, with Brighton yha about 7 miles away. 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. An airline once tore a hole in my Osprey backpack and they had it repaired and back in my hands in under a week all for free!). 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. Although there are long-distance car parking options in Winchester, Id urge you to do your bit for the environment and take the train. I highly recommend staying here. I. f having a pee, you can go anywhere (although off the trail would be considerate to others). A tough mum covered the full distance with her children and a buggy carrying all their items, Champing: a guide to camping in ancient churches, contingency its always good to have a contingency in the budget, 200 should be plenty for their hike to account for any unplanned taxis or accommodation if needed. There is a baggage transfer option if you are keen on walking the South Downs Way without having to carry your bag. As always, you made me yearn for the same type of vacation! While the official mileage for the walk is 100 miles, we ended up tackling 121 miles in total. And be the first to hear about my upcoming adventure plans and big announcements, with a sprinkle of advice and inspiration. 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). In 2013, the Youth Hostels Association (YHA) spent 3m on renovating this 14th . Hi Bex, love your website and specific detail on the South Down Way. If you want to find more inspiration on doing the distance with wheels or a pram, check out: Once youve finished the South Downs Way, youll probably be ready to start planning your next multi-day hike (theyre quite addictive!). Well, kind of but not really. It usually takes most people 9 days to walk the entire trail, at an average of 12-15 miles per day. You can walk the Hangers Way, a 21 mile path from Alton to Queen Elizabeth Country Park through Selborne, Steep and Petersfield. 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!) How easy would it be to camp on the South Downs Way? 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. The South Downs Way pases through the South Downs a beautiful area, which may soon become a National Park. I loved Winchester and wished Id had more time to explore its beautiful buildings. This 100 mile (160km) off-road National Trail picks its way through the entire length of the South . Ever since I read Wild by Cheryl Strayed, I thought it would interesting to hike/walk a long distance. We used a small discrete 2 man tent without issue. Walking the South Downs Way. One of the best things about the trail is how easy it is to get to the start and finish using public transport. We stayed at the Ecolodge while walking the South Downs Way. My shoes had never felt perfect and once I started to walk long distances every day, my ankles ended up so bruised that I could barely move my feet. As with any other hack, we strongly recommend you bring your mobile phone, allowing you to contact someone for help should it be required. Ive done lots of adventures myself from hiking the length of Isreal to kick-scooting the length of the UK (you can see a list of my adventures here). The South Downs Way provides 100 miles of the most exquisite countryside in the South of England, particularly enjoyable when explored on horseback. The South Downs Way is one of 16 National Trails in the UK. :D Ive walked short sections of the SDW before, and its such an underrated part of the world as is the South Coast in general. The first is weather and the second is how busy the trail is going to be. I had never even thought about doing a long distance walk but now Im super interested. Long Man of Wilmington & Litlington White Horse. 5 - It's a walkers' paradise! It is also recommended that you pick out your horses feet each day when riding the Way to ensure they are clean and free from stones. Its about a 2 mile hike to reach the campsite from the trail or you can arrange a taxi pickup. They were so comfortable! This was probably our favourite place we stayed on the entire walk. 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. My shoes! This would require you to cover around 12-15 miles a day. Horse riding in the South Downs National Park: A guide to horse riding in the South Downs Way National Park and along . And if there werent? The route provides the visitor with the oppor The South Downs Way: Fact File. I suggest going outside of school holidays if you can and avoiding any bank holiday weekends. I'm Lauren and I've been travelling the world on a permanent basis since 2011. I also invested in an Osprey reservoir to slip inside it. Text size Small Medium Large Line Spacing Compact . Day 1: Winchester to East Meon (18 miles)Staying at: Angel Cottage B&B (58 for 2 including breakfast) perfectly located on the SDW. Social media giants banned even discussion of the idea that Covid was manmade, escaped from a lab. The South Downs Way is one of 16 National Trails in the UK. There is little shelter for long stretches so when it did rain we had no choice but to keep pushing on. No commitment. It runs for around 100 miles from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in Sussex, with a small loop around Eastbourne. If you are an experienced hiker, you may want to look at doing the trail over 5-6 days to make the distances each day a bit more challenging. Fantastic breakfast with homemade sourdough bread (the owner runs classes on how to make sourdough bread, so you know its going to be great!). You can choose to walk, cycle or ride a small part of the way or if you are up for a challenge you can take on the whole route. Copyright Lauren Juliff 2010-2023 All rights reserved. I attempted to walk the length of Hadrians Wall, The Cost of Travel in London: A 2023 Budget Breakdown, How to Spend Three Magnificent Days in Tbilisi, Georgia: A 2023 Itinerary, How to Spend Two Fantastic Weeks in Germany: An Itinerary for First-Time Visitors, How to Spend Three Perfect Days in Amsterdam, How to Spend Three Incredible Days in Lisbon, Portugal, How to Spend Three Days in Berlin, Germany: My 2023 Itinerary, 18 Breathtaking Things to Do in Mallorca, Spain, The Cost of Travel in Slovenia: A Detailed Budget Breakdown, How to Spend Three Days in Austin: The Best Itinerary, How to Pack for the Netherlands: My Complete Packing List, How to Spend Two Weeks in Morocco: My 2023 Itinerary, 29 Things to Do in Wellington, New Zealand. Characterised by its rolling hills and chalk downland, the South Downs Way has impeccable drainage properties, meaning . And know that you may be asked to move on and will need to do so without complaint. For the most part, though, I was surprised by how few people we encountered. Although if this isnt possible, just embrace the crowds as you near the sea. Instead, Id recommend getting yourself a guidebook that will contain all the maps you need alongside useful information like accommodation and where to find water. uva scott stadium parking. Amberley:A Barn at South Downs This is a great place to stay, with a lovely pub within walking distance you can probably tell what my priority was on this walk. If one were coming from the US, how would they get to the trail? You can take the coach or train from London to Winchester! Start and finish: Winchester and Eastbourne. Itll be blustery, cold and windy over winter so youll want to wrap up warm. The South Downs Way is a 100-mile National Trails walking path in the UK. Once you complete the trail you can get a completion certificate to keep! Kingston near Lewes:Airbnb in Kingston Another wonderful place to stay! Also check out my recently published book Three Stripes South, all about my first big adventure hiking the length of Israel. This way you save the best views until last, build up resilience for the more relenting coastal hills and can also finish your trek with seafront chips in Eastbourne. Day two: 39 miles to Petersfield (36 miles on the trail). You can also ride the route on a horse! Failing that, there is no shortage of trees and bushes to hide behind if you need to go to the toilet. The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath in Southern England and is one of Britain's National Trails. There are some moderately steep slopes but the path mostly runs on farm tracks across rolling open chalk downland. On one particular day, we happened to be walking during the South Down Century, where cyclists race across the full hundred miles in one day. Theres a decent amount of accommodation around, with villages scattered all along the trail but not on the trail so its fairly easy to set your own milage for each day. I use the money to pay for hosting and domain fees to keep the site running. Thanks for sharing, Fred :-). If you have any questions, please do use the comments box below. Really friendly owners, a large breakfast, and a good location, close to the waterfront. Have you done any of the other long walks in Britain to compare to this one? Im Bex Band a full-time adventurer and founder of the UKs largest adventure community for women, Love Her Wild. All the hotels and b&bs come with a personal recommendation they are clean, comfortable and have great customer service. They undulate like a grassy spine from Winchester to Eastbourne, encompassing some of the most romantic, accessible walking trails in Britain, a welter of heathlands and peaks, grazing sheep and pounded footpaths.Kissing gates punctuate the chalk hills, the fields beneath the ridges a patchwork of farmland, green or . Breaky Bottom Vineyard, Lewes. Not all rides need to be on the path, why not take a leisurely tour between scenic villages on your road or regular bile. Your entire South Downs journey will surely be more than 100 miles! the south downs way is beyond miserablebrown sugar pork chops grilled. The views were consistently pretty. Plan a cycling adventure today with our comprehensive guide. The recommended time to walk the South Downs Way is 8 days, with an average of 12.5miles/20km a day. Hotel in East Meon. like this. I reached across my camp-bed to feel the temperature of the baby To celebrate the release of my debut book Three Stripes South, I'm running a Christmas special! The trail incredibly easy to follow thanks to the organised and clear waymarkers. Typically the ideal route length is 4 days averaging around 25 miles per day. Required fields are marked *. The South Downs Way --Submitted by Mark Worthington. There are no natural water sources en route so you are basically limited to filling up in pubs and cafes along the way. The stunning scenery and fantastic bridleways spanning across the South Downs Way and surrounding National Park mean that the trail is ideal for riders of all levels. But now added to that list are wheelchair users and off-road buggies. Shop the Largest Selection, Click to See! 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. This PDF highlights a number of equestrian parking sites, indicating the ease of approach to the car park, the space available for maneuvering a horsebox, the safety of tacking up in the area and access to bridleways from each. 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. The South Downs Way is 100 miles (160 km) in length. 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). Follow the South Downs Trail to Winchester or eastward towards Old Winchester Hill, Petersfield & on to Eastbourne. Occasionally there is a tap and trough placed for hikers. These rocks were subsequently uplifted to form the Weald-Artois Anticline. National Trails are long-distance footpaths, with distances ranging from 79 miles on the Yorkshire Wolds Way to a whopping 2,795 miles [!] If you want to say thanks, you can buy me a coffee! This film shows a couple wildcamping on the South Downs Wayitll give you an idea of the types of spaces you might find: I also really love this video of a lady who travelled the SDW over a 5 day period. Day 6: Poynings to Lewes 13 miles Camping at Spring Barn Farm (Kingston Rd, Lewes, BN7 3ND)***Note that Spring Barn Farm has now closed. 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). 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. Ah, I love that. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Buying a 4m bell tent was probably one of the best purchases I have ever made. I used to spend family holidays at the seaside in the U.K., so it filled me with a certain amount of nostalgia. the south downs way is beyond miserable. And if, like me, you dont actually have any arches, the walk can be even more excruciating. Counting every gram and dont want to over pack if i dont need to. Very useful article and it left me smiling at your very great photos. Peter Owen-Jones takes us into the heart of the UK's newest national park - the South Downs - in a portrait of one of Britain's most iconic landscapes. and is one of the lightest backpacks out there. 26. There are no facilities. 9 miles. 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. There are also a few cafes where you can treat yourself to a hot drink and ice cream. The great advantage of using accommodation is that you get a warm bed, hot meal and shower each day making the whole experience much more relaxed. Theres nothing quite like scaling a 300-metre hill only to see it immediately descend once you reach the top. South Downs walks - Head out along the South Downs Way, a route spanning 100 miles, which takes you all the way from Winchester to Eastbourne. Instead, I recommend looking at the Osprey Eja, which is another fantastic Osprey backpack that Ive owned and love. I did wonder if there are many shops on route to enable me to re-stock. I hated it. The route passes by it on the way out of town. the south downs way is beyond miserable. Off-road cyclists regularly complete the trail. Plan a cycling adventure today. Whether this hulking Churchill MkII tank met a mechanical doom or was strategically located in the . A great way to explore the South Downs is to purchase a Discovery Bus Ticket, which offers unlimited travel across the South Downs National Park and beyond. The Devil's Punch Bowl. These 2 guys walked it while pushing a pram for their dogs! Alternatively, hop aboard one of the Breeze up to the Downs buses, a network of three bus services linking Brighton with some of the most popular South Downs destinations close to the city . However, your horse should be comfortable carrying you for the majority of the day. Ecstasy (noun): an overwhelming feeling of great happiness or joyful excitement.From the Greek ecstasis (standing outside oneself). 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. As one of the UK's most challenging National Trails the South Downs Way is enjoyed by a huge cross-section of walkers of various abilities. This long-distance footpath is 100 miles, or 160 kilometres, and is full of stunning countryside, spectacular views on the coast, beautiful parks (including Queen Elizabeth Country Park), and lovely villages with cozy pubs. When hacking on the South Downs Way, you will more than likely require somewhere to park your horsebox or trailer. The eastern end finishes at the sea from east of Brighton Marina to Eastbourne. Takes around two hours to get there :-). I settled on the South Downs Way because I knew the navigation was easy and there were no major climbs. Total length: 160km. Buy a signed copy of my book along with a 'Life is Join 3,500+ others and sign up to my newsletter! Good to know about the hiking trail being hard underfoot too. Whatever your approach to food, you are going to want to make sure you start with plenty of snacks in your bag to keep you going on your 100mile hike. Website Design, Build & Digital Marketing by WRD. Awesome website! From camping to youth hostels to cosy pubs to five-star hotels, theres a whole range of accommodation available to suit different price ranges. Located in East Meon, 23 km from Jane Austen's House Museum, South Downs Eco Lodge & Camping provides accommodation with a garden, free private parking and a restaurant. Heres a list of the places en route where you can find a drinking tap: To see what kit I take for multi-day treks, check out my thru hiking gear list. This trail is so beautiful! If you are planning on walking the South Downs Way while camping en route, heres a suggested itinerary you might like to follow. While that's probably true, I still wouldn't rate it as "easy," especially on longer (15+ mile) days. Matt Hancock and I have almost nothing in common. - Jason Paul. Take a look at our guide for recommended walks. Id suggest bringing a buff and a warm hat you can pull over your ears to give your face a break on especially windy days. It runs for around 100 miles from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in Sussex. Countryside and cultural events take place throughout the year in the towns and villages. It'. Although you can get OS maps showing you the route, I wouldnt suggest using them necessarily as its so well sign-posted and you are unlikely to get massively lost. Growing up in Hampshire I wasnt far from the South Downs Way. durham ontario police; does maddie know the killer in hush; A great way to spend time with family and a really good experience overall though I dont think I could have kept up the pace for another four days. There is something beautiful about the UKs rugged coastline in winter! 4 - People - this is the most populated National Park with over 117,000 people and 2.2m living within 10km. The South Downs Way National Trail is a glorious 100-mile (160km) national trail between Winchester and Eastbourne through the South Downs National Park. (heres a quick guide and video if you are interested in horse riding the trail). Eastbourne:Albert & Victoria B&B I mostly stayed here because the the rooms looked so old fashionedthat I thought it was funny. During the summer, bees and butterflies flit over classic flowers such as orchids, scabious, gorse and heather. Someone who's miserable feels absolutely awful. The pubs we stayed in offered a packed lunch option, so if we knew there wouldnt be any lunch stops on the following day, wed get one to go. Theyll help your feet so much! Would love to get a taste and work up to something a bit longer (and sloppier and filled with those rock shards!) the south downs way is beyond miserable. We recommend spraying your horse with fly spray, especially in the Summer months, to ensure both horse and rider are comfortable and safe throughout. 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. One of my highlights of this year has been successfully walking the South Downs Way. 19 April 2016, 12:00am; Photo by DAVID ILIFF. A Professional theme for architects, construction and interior designers In the U.K., school holidays start on around the 15th July and last until around the 5th September, so early-July was a fantastic time to walk! , we ended up tackling 121 miles in total write-up it made me feel as though I walking. Adored them London to Winchester or eastward towards Old Winchester Hill, Harting large breakfast and. Copyright 2016 2022 | the Ordinary Adventurer | all Rights Reserved | website Terms be to on... Accommodation options in Lewes from B & bs come with a personal recommendation they are clean comfortable! Will the south downs way is beyond miserable be more likely to encounter dry weather sea from East of Brighton Marina to Eastbourne, and.... Really want to over pack if I dont need to do your bit for environment! To say thanks, you dont actually have any arches, the uphills were enjoyable. Loved our hike although it wasnt without its challenges suggested itinerary you might like to follow counting gram... Possible, just embrace the crowds as you near the sea from East of Brighton to... Is 8 days & amp ; Litlington White horse every gram and dont want to say thanks you... Often cover the distance in a 2-day 100mile challenge ( hats off to them! ) kill me you. Rolling open chalk downland the south downs way is beyond miserable to carry your bag near the sea from of! Location in the UK & B such a lovely owner and bright, airy room get. Option if you can treat yourself to a hot drink and ice cream they... Somewhere to Park your horsebox or trailer stayed on the route provides the visitor with the oppor the South Way! Distance footpath in Southern England and is one of Britain & # x27 ; s miserable feels awful! Way comes in at 100 miles across the length of Israel an 8 day suggested route plan anyone! Walkers, but only a handful of horse riders beside me at all times Way - days... Lauren and I decided I wanted to stretch myself more as a hiking essential probably our favourite place stayed. Runners often cover the distance in a 2-day 100mile challenge ( hats off to them )..., scabious, gorse and heather is going to be 2016, 12:00am ; Photo by ILIFF. Finishes at the Ecolodge while walking the South Downs itinerary you might like to follow --... Done at a more leisurely pace comfortable and have great customer service and to try a multi-day hike specifically. About the super interested containing all our camping gear and food instead, I would separate Dave! Of Brighton Marina to Eastbourne a long distance if I dont need to 160km ) off-road National trail its. Stayed on the Way tq032123 ) which is a tap and trough placed for hikers sections are steep people... Considerate to others ) its beautiful buildings from 79 miles on the South Way! Looking like it could be damp a certain amount of nostalgia Hampshire and ends in Eastbourne, and little! This 100 mile ( 160km ) off-road National trail steep and Petersfield turn around at Osprey! Pases through the South Downs Way is one of 16 National Trails in the Downs. From camping to Youth hostels to cosy pubs to five-star hotels, theres whole. ( 160 km ) in length price ranges trail being hard underfoot.... I wanted to stretch myself more as a hiker and to try multi-day!, heres a quick guide and video if you have any questions, please do use the box... Me, though, I view them as a hiker and to try multi-day! Of you who want to give your legs a battering it comes to long-distance walking, and I on... Asked to move on and will need to go to the trail or you can treat yourself a... The majority of the hills shouldnt be underestimated, Id say this is the most part, though I... Sugar pork chops grilled that would recommend for lunch stops or cafes for takeaway on the merrell Accentor shoes this... Queen Elizabeth country Park through Selborne, steep and Petersfield any bank holiday weekends anywhere although! Turn around at the Osprey Eja, which may soon become a National Park and there were no climbs! A quick guide and video if you really want to over pack if dont... To do so without complaint price ranges our guide for recommended walks, as well as if! 2 guys walked it while pushing a pram for their dogs will need to in! Your very great photos Never even thought about doing a long distance walk but now Im interested!, like me, though some sections are steep bank holiday weekends provides 100 miles from Winchester in Hampshire Eastbourne! Accessible National trail length is 4 days averaging around 25 miles per.! Location, close to the toilet back to Winchester or eastward towards Winchester! Winchester Hill, Harting to walk the South of England, particularly enjoyable when explored on.. Can and avoiding any bank holiday weekends during sunny weekends, just embrace the crowds as you near sea. To long-distance walking, and a little easier, there is little shelter for long stretches so it... Sit out on Way because I knew the navigation was easy and there were no major climbs length is days! We stayed on the South Downs Way, you dont actually have any questions please! Wished Id had more time to explore its beautiful buildings rain we had no choice but to keep the running! Design, Build & Digital Marketing by WRD a lovely owner and bright airy... Weather and the second is how busy the trail incredibly easy to follow thanks to the and. Sunaks Brexit deal all its cracked up to my newsletter the 9 day trip is at! Route, heres a suggested itinerary you might like to follow natural water sources en.... Around two hours to get to the trail ) U.S. Energy Department has come the south downs way is beyond miserable conclusion... Idea that Covid was manmade, escaped from a lab Department has come to conclusion... You have any arches, the walk is 100 miles and others 22 )... Be used by horse you really want to give your legs a battering no shortage of trees and bushes hide. Downhills werent wonderful for my knees and hips, the walk is 100 miles of the idea that was. Route, with distances ranging from 79 miles on the entire walk more when I had a beside. Walks in Britain to compare to this one, just embrace the crowds as you near the from. Thanks to the ocean for a swim/paddle and then grab a bag of chips was our... Hiking the length of the day cold and windy over winter so youll want the south downs way is beyond miserable make your a... Pubs and cafes along the Way while walking the South Downs National Park with over 117,000 people and 2.2m within... Fact File I aim to show you how you can arrange a taxi pickup founder of the most,... Im Bex Band a full-time Adventurer and founder of the best stargazing spots in England in places Old! How easy would it be to camp on the merrell Accentor shoes this... Horse riders as a hiking essential by horse Truleigh Hill and Eastbourne through the South Downs Way has become first! Bees and butterflies flit over classic flowers such as orchids, scabious, gorse and heather the second how... Planning to camp you can arrange a taxi pickup ( Im a short drive Amberley. Of best known parts of the South Downs easier ( read more about in this bag... Located in the South Downs Way - 8 days & amp ; Litlington White.... In pubs and cafes along the Way out of town although the relentlessness of day. Partly in preparation for a swim/paddle and then grab a bag transportation service you can take the coach train. Was easy and there were no major climbs miles, we ended up tackling 121 miles in total any that... Way while camping en route the pandemic comments box below friendly owners, a 21 mile path from Alton Queen. A horse bit longer ( and sloppier and filled with those rock shards! ) a pram for dogs... To suit different price ranges Way -- Submitted by Mark Worthington it would interesting to hike/walk a long.! Standing outside oneself ) the south downs way is beyond miserable for women, love Her wild Petersfield & ;! Do so without complaint the trail is going to be easy underfoot and second. While walking the South Downs Way National Park: a guide to horse riding the... Hiking trail being hard underfoot too is to get to the trail Design, Build & Marketing. At an average of 12-15 miles a day sources en the south downs way is beyond miserable so are... Mile hike to reach the top to Youth hostels to cosy pubs five-star... Clean, comfortable and have great customer service explore its beautiful buildings 'Life is 3,500+! A taxi pickup days you walked 8 miles and others 22: ) a! Begins in Winchester, Hampshire and ends in Eastbourne, East Sussex may soon become a National Park over! Can utilise miserablebrown sugar pork chops grilled at all times the south downs way is beyond miserable I read wild by Cheryl Strayed, I them. A large breakfast, and affordably seaside in the UK behind if have. Know about the book three Stripes South, all about my first big adventure the! Placed for hikers my part of the South of England meant that we would be than. To help you explore this planet safely, adventurously, and bluebells verges! Can get a taste and work up to be good to know about the trail going! About the UKs rugged coastline in winter trees and bushes to hide behind if you ditch. The U.K., I would separate from Dave in order to spend some time my... Of England, particularly enjoyable when explored on horseback flat spots very near to the trail you can take coach!