Annual South Downs Way walk

Cadw yn Fy Rycsac

South Downs Way - Winchester to Eastbourne

This 9 day walk along the South Downs Way allows you to enjoy the best of the British Countryside and traditional rural villages whilst still being close to civilisation.

Tour Overview

The icons below highlight the distance, difficulty and theme of this itinerary.

Distance

160km

Days

Grade

Moderate

Theme

Wildlife. Food and Drink

Landscape Type

Rolling Countryside, Connecting towns and villages

A journey along the South Downs

Every step of the journey has been carefully planned to help you make the most of your walking adventure.

Itinerary
Travel
Advice
Food & Drink
Maps, Guidebooks and Merchandise

Itinerary

The walk starts in Winchester, the ancient capital of Wessex on the edge of the South Downs ending 160 kilometres (100 miles) later at the dramatic coastal cliffs of Eastbourne.

Day 1 - Winchester to Exton.

On this first day you will start at Winchester and walk to Exton Village. Here you can enjoy some refreshments.

Day 2 - Exton to Queen Elizabeth Country Park

From Exton you’ll walk to Queen Elizabeth Country Park (QECP).

Day 3 - QECP to Cocking

Today you’ll walk from QECP to Cocking. The Way takes you though forest, over Beacon Hill and passed the Devil’s Jumps, ancient Bronze age burial mounds.

Day 4 - Cocking to Amberley

Walking from Cocking to Amberley you’ll pass some stunning wildflower meadows and enjoy extensive views.

19.3 km/12 miles

Day 5 - Amberley to Steyning

You’re now more than halfway! There is a steep climb up above Amberley, but the view makes it worth it.

17.7 km/11 miles

Day 6 - Steyning to Pyecombe

Todays walk from Steyning to Pyecombe takes in the iconic Fulking escarpment and the Devil’s Dyke, Britain’s deepest dry valley.

16 km/10 miles

Day 7 - Pyecombe to Southease

Walking from Pyecombe to Southease you’ll pass Jack & Jill Windmills and walk over Ditchling Beacon, the highest point in the East Sussex part of the National Park.

22.5 km/14 miles

Day 8 - Southease to Alfriston

Walking from Southease to Alfriston you’ll enjoy fine examples of flower rich chalk grassland and expansive open views. Alfriston is a small historic Downland village famous for having the National Trust’s first property, Alfriston Clergy House.

15.2 km/9.5 miles

Day 9 - Alfriston to Eastbourne

The most iconic section of the South Downs Way. You can either walk along the towering chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head or opt for the inland route passing over the ancient chalk figure of the Long Man of Wilmington.

17 km/10.5 miles

Travel

Bus & Rail

It’s easy to get to the South Downs Way, it has good public transport links which get better the further east you go.  There are main line trains and long distance coaches to both Winchester and Eastbourne as well as several places in between. Allow around 60 – 90 minutes from London.

You can plan your journey using Traveline.

Ferry & Air

Ferries to Newhaven and Portsmouth, and the London Airports (especially Gatwick) are handy for overseas visitors.

Advice

Anyone who is reasonably fit can walk the South Downs Way. The walk is graded as ‘Moderate’ with straight forward undulating walking, often on farm tracks and chalk down. Each day ranges from 9.5 miles / 15.2km to 18 miles / 29 km. From 4 to 7 hours walking.

The Trail can be enjoyed at any time of the year. However it does get busier during school holidays and on weekends between May and September you should expect to come across larger organised events.

Food & Drink

You’ll be spoiled for choice with so much great local food and drink on offer. You will pass through many small villages and towns with good pubs and cafes.