But maybe not quite 20 mile days! The hospices of Sussex are dedicated to providing specialist end-of-life care. We wild camped the whole way, bringing all the food with us bought in advance. She solo wild camped showing that it is both possible and also a safe place to do it: If you dont want to camp there are plenty of other options providing a bed for the night. Although the quiet is nice, people watching can also be very entertaining! If you get stuck for shops a good idea is to stay a night in a cheap b&b and ask if you can send them a resupply box in advance. The Trailblazer guide has a mileage chart at the back that tells you the exact distance between towns, so you can work out the total distance in advance. I used to spend family holidays at the seaside in the U.K., so it filled me with a certain amount of nostalgia. As someone who believed walking poles were exclusively for douchebags and grandparents, Im holding up my hands and confessing to being a convert. Up there you'll find the most [] We found the terrain to be easy underfoot and the sloping climbs manageable with our heavy packs containing all our camping gear and food. Off-road cyclists regularly complete the trail. We spent a couple of hours hitting up the main attractions: Winchester Cathedral (one of the largest in Europe), The Great Hall (a 13th Century hall featuring a round table thats falsely linked to King Arthur), and the City Mill (where the walk starts from), and decided wed return at some point to spend even more time there. 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. The trail can be really busy during sunny weekends. Lots of people have accidentally fallen to their deaths getting too close or being distracted taking pictures. If you do only one day of the South Downs Way, make it this one. The route provides the visitor with the oppor The accommodation recommendations below are as close to the trail as possible. 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 . When is the best time to walk the South Downs Way? My backpack weighed just 5 kg and contained very little, so as long as you pack light, you wont feel the need to have it transported. Camping is available within the park and there is basic barn accommodation, too, from 14 for a car and two people. We stayed at the Ecolodge while walking the South Downs Way. Personally, I use aMoonCupand find it works well for hiking as you dont need to change it so often. Best camping, glamping, and outdoor stays in South Downs National Park. Day one: 40 miles Eastbourne-Upper Beeding (39 miles on the trail). What a great article Im not British and had never heard of the South Downs Way before your recent posts, and I am really enjoying learning about it in so much detail! I settled on the South Downs Way because I knew the navigation was easy and there were no major climbs. 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. 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. There are a number of steep inclines and descends but once on the top of the ridge, the majority of the Way is flat and not too strenuous. Ive since returned to the trail and stayed in accommodation inns, b&bs and hotels along the way. There are stunning, panoramic views to the sea and across the Weald as you travel the 100 mile length of the South Downs Way from Winchester to Eastbourne, culminating in the impressive chalk cliffs at Seven Sisters. Copyright Lauren Juliff 2010-2023 All rights reserved. Ah, I love that. The Devil's Punch Bowl. Of course, this figure is trail distance only as most walkers stay in accommodation located another few miles away from the Way. No . The walk follows the ridge across the chalk downs, passing many of the . Failing that, there is no shortage of trees and bushes to hide behind if you need to go to the toilet. The South Downs National Park welcomes visitors from across the country, and the world to experience its natural wonder, far-reaching views and endless skies (on a good day of course!). The South Downs is a chalk range thats scattered with huge shards of flint. The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath in Southern England and is one of Britain's National Trails. Our comprehensive guide to the South Downs Way means that planning your trip has never been easier. Day three: 28 miles to Winchester (25 miles on the trail). Looks like you had an amazing time and such an achievement! 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. It also saves you the hassle of needing to return to the start point at the end. Ah, that makes me so happy to hear! Looks great! 21. Try hit this part of the trail mid-week and not during school holidays if you can. From guesthouses, hotels and also rooms on Airbnb. Route: The South Downs Way is well signposted and easy to follow. Again a life-changing piece of kit. We loved our hike although it wasnt without its challenges. And let me know if you are planning to do the SDW! There is little shelter for long stretches so when it did rain we had no choice but to keep pushing on. For the most part, youll be walking alone without any other humans in sight. The Hadrians Wall Trailblazer guide had been fantastic to use, so I knew I needed to pick up the same guide for the South Downs Way the latest version was published in 2022. Legally you are not allowed to camp on the South Downs. 26. Also check out my recently published book Three Stripes South, all about my first big adventure hiking the length of Israel. The South Downs Way stretches 100 miles from Winchester to the Victorian seaside town of Eastbourne on the South Coast of England. The South Downs Way comes in at 100 miles and runs between . The Shoe Inn, the village pub, is a friendly welcome on the South Down's Way. 5. Really interesting to read this Lauren. 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! A cute, high-end pub with excellent food and lovely rooms out the back all en-suite. Probably the most comfortable backpack Ive ever worn. Some people opt to blast through the trail in six days and some take as many as 10. Today, Im excited to start writing about my walk by sharing a huge overview of what its like to tackle the South Downs Way. Not all rides need to be on the path . Far more importantly, we fundamentally disagree over his handling of the pandemic. While an additional mile doesnt sound like a big deal when youre sat on your sofa at home, when youre actually out walking, it can be super-demoralising after an exhausting day. However, because most of the trail follows the top of a ridge, most accommodation options are down in the valleys below, requiring an extra mile or so of hiking to and from the trail. 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. I felt like I was walking through a postcard for much of our journey. HIKE, BIKE, OR RIDE THE SOUTH DOWNS WAY. 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. Obviously, if you arent planning to camp you can ditch the cooking stuff, tent and sleeping gear. Your email address will not be published. Its about a five minute walk from restaurants and pubs, and the breakfast was so delicious and healthy! 2. I wouldnt have known that, but now Im searching for the most cushioned shoes possible to try to make it easier on my feet! 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. 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. You can take the coach or train from London to Winchester! For something fancier, I can suggest heading to Skylar which is a beautiful restaurant. The Birling Gap is one of best known parts of the south coast Credit: Getty. Fantastic breakfast with homemade sourdough bread (the owner runs classes on how to make sourdough bread, so you know its going to be great!). 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! If doing a poo, you need to be a decent way off the trail and at least 200m away from any water sources. It is wooded, with a defined ridge along which the South Downs Way runs. The South Downs Way isn't a particularly high-elevation hike, but that doesn't mean there aren't great views. Thats part of long-distance hiking though so just embrace the extra wanders into the nearby villages. 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 . Ill amend the mistake. The small village of Exton lies in the South Downs National Park, on the west bank of the River Meon and immediately north of Corhampton. Required fields are marked *. The South Downs Way is one of 16 National Trails in the UK. 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. 8 days is a reasonable target for most people with reasonable fitness . There are 2 factors to consider when picking your dates. These 2 guys walked it while pushing a pram for their dogs! July and August are the hottest months and being on the exposed cliffs can result in tough days if you get an especially hot spell. Throughout my time on the trail, I would separate from Dave in order to spend some time with my thoughts. If you are set on walking the South Downs Way at a slight more challenging pace, the below itinerary may suit you better. Your email address will not be published. Once you complete the trail you can get a completion certificate to keep! At the weekend, the trail gets crammed with visitors and dog walkers. 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. Rod Liddle is associate editor of The Spectator. East Meon:Ye Olde George Inn While the room was nothing mind-blowing, the food at the pub below more than made up for it! It usually takes most people 9 days to walk the entire trail, at an average of 12-15 miles per day. My Kiwi boyfriend was 100% bemused by it. And you are never far from a pub or road if you need a getaway. ), the South Downs Way is an adventure you definitely don't want to skip! That could, of course, be because cyclists travel faster so were more likely to overtake us. In particular when you reach the cliffs and have the dramatic coastline ocean views. battled the censors a @RandPauld helped many of us learn: More 6. 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. - Daniel Pipes. Steyning:Uppingham B&B Such a lovely owner and bright, airy room! When you picture stereotypical scenes of the English countryside, they probably originate from the South Downs Way. Good to know about the hiking trail being hard underfoot too. Take a look at our guide for recommended walks. Butser Hill is the highest point along the trail at 270 metres. Just one point, in the East to West/West to East section you state that East to West is the best way, but you describe the West to East route in the paragraph. While the official mileage for the walk is 100 miles, we ended up tackling 121 miles in total. The South Downs Way runs for 100 miles from Winchester to Eastbourne. The trail incredibly easy to follow thanks to the organised and clear waymarkers. And lets face it: heading downstairs to have dinner is exactly whats needed after a long day of walking. Hi! A big section of the South Downs is privately owned farmland which you shouldnt be camping on without permission. For women you might like to take apee clothwith you (only for summer as youll need some sun to dry it). Providing a very different experience! The park is bountiful with many places to stay including hotels, bunkhouses, Bed and Breakfasts, campsites and even yurts and shepherds huts. Hmmm.. you could try just doing a couple of days of the South Downs Way to start with, rather than the entire thing. on the England Coast Path. Its lightweight and excellent for long-distance hikes. 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. 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. Total length: 160km. The barn is cosy and comfortable, and the breakfast is the absolute best. These rocks were subsequently uplifted to form the Weald-Artois Anticline. And if there werent? Yes, Im fortunate to have feet that are as flat as the floor I stand on and it made for a tough challenge. Money Back Guarantee ensures YOU receive the item you ordered or get your money back. With Bivvy bags you would definitely find wild camping South Downs easier (read more about in this Bivvy Bag guide). Day 6: Alfriston to Eastbourne (13 miles)Staying at: Albert & Victoria (77 for 2 including breakfast.an AMAZING hotel!!). Text settings. 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. Website Design, Build & Digital Marketing by WRD. Thats good to hear! Very useful article and it left me smiling at your very great photos. If you do choose to wild camp, one of the great advantages is that you dont need such a rigid itinerary. Day 5: Amberley to Poynings 18 milesCamping at Saddlescombe Farm (Saddlescombe Road, Poynings, BN45 7DE) close to the trail. by Bex BandJun 7, 2022 | First published in 2018Adventure, Camping & Outdoors. Not only is the scenery breathtaking, but the pubs are cosy, the locals friendly, and the walking challenging but in a good way. Alfriston:The Star Inn The Star Inn is one of the oldest in the country and it has a fantastic pub to eat at. The park comprises of an area of chalk upland which stretches from Winchester in Hampshire, through West Sussex to Eastbourne in East Sussex. Steve Maraboli, Unapologetically You: Reflections on Life and the Human Experience. I set out on 10-mile walk once a week in the two months leading up to the South Downs Way. 5. Thank you , Your email address will not be published. As UK is especially prone to rain Id also add waterproof trousers to this list. Text size Small Medium Large Line Spacing Compact . 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 . It begins in Winchester, Hampshire and ends in Eastbourne, East Sussex . We hop on the train to Eastbourne, and examine the hiking route we'll be taking. Distance: 100 miles over three days. If we were staying in a pub, wed simply walk downstairs to eat. 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. The trail is 160km long and stretches from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex. 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. Every time I did so, I felt exceptionally safe. The SDW is a very popular trail, especially the Seven Sisters section as you near Beachy Head and Eastbourne. Plan a cycling adventure today with our comprehensive guide. 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. In fact, due to the low-lying land surrounding the hillside, the horizon seems to go on for miles. the south downs way is beyond miserable. The trail goes from the city of Winchester to Eastbourne, a famous seaside town with iconic white cliffs. The climb was rewarded by views inland across the Sussex Weald to the North Downs, and south to the sea at Newhaven. 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. The Trailblazer guide will come in handy for the walk if youre not sure if youve gone wrong, and Google Maps will also help by showing where you currently are as long as you have signal, of course. This splits the South Downs Way stages across 6 days. We had two challenging walks, where we racked up 20 and 22 miles, but the rest of our mileage felt comfortable. It's the only one of 16 National Trails contained entirely within a national park. There are 2 approaches: prepare the food yourself (cheaper) or eat out along the way (better suited if staying in accommodation rather than camping). We ended up feeling envious of the riders on every downhill then smug during every climb! One of the best things about the trail is how easy it is to get to the start and finish using public transport. the south downs way is beyond miserable. what time does marshalls open; allen iverson house gladwyne; tesla front trunk open warning. We really liked this B&B. How did you decide what distances to walk each day? The South Downs Way National Trail is a glorious 100-mile (160km) national trail between Winchester and Eastbourne through the South Downs National Park. Counting every gram and dont want to over pack if i dont need to. In short, if youre considering walking this trail, go do it! 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. Would you have a recommendation for a beginners long walk trail in the UK or Europe? Walking the South Downs Way is a great option for anyone wanting an easy/moderate long-distance trail in the UK that can be completed in under 10 days, at a very chilled pace - or a week if you want to move a bit quicker. It looks beautiful so probably worth all of the foot pain! Day 1: Winchester to East Meon (18 miles)Staying at: Angel Cottage B&B (58 for 2 including breakfast) perfectly located on the SDW. Day 3: Cocking to Washington (19 miles)Staying at: Holt House (88 for 2 people including breakfast), Day 4: Washington to Pyecombe (14 miles)Staying at: Period Cottage (131 for 2 people including breakfast), Day 5: Pyecombe to Alfriston (23 miles)Staying at: Wingrove House (170 for 2 people including breakfast). It was especially nice to have some avocado toast for breakfast rather than a full English, which youll find yourself eating plenty of on this track. There is something beautiful about the UKs rugged coastline in winter! They provide . For something fancier, I can suggest heading to Skylar which is a beautiful restaurant. The views are pleasant and consistent. In this guide I cover everything you need to know to do the hike yourself from details on camping and accommodation options, wild camping choices, costs, what you need to pack, food, top tips and the best South Downs Way route planners. Try using our intuitive route planning tools, transport, accommodation and activity sections, designed to help you make the most of your visit to the South Downs Way. Theyll help your feet so much! South Harting:The White Hart We loved the White Hart! The South Downs Way is a 100-mile National Trails walking path in the UK. All the hotels and b&bs come with a personal recommendation they are clean, comfortable and have great customer service. If you really want to experience the diversity of the South Downs national park (or you're just looking for a fun new challenge! If you have a period while on your trek then you might want to factor this in with rest days. 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. Winchester to Eastbourne in 6 Days Walking Code: SD7. For the end, you will be catching a train from Eastbourne. Day 3: Petersfield to Chichester 19 milesCamping at New House Farm (New House Lane, East Dean, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0NJ). Stop anywhere in the South Downs and it is hard not to find an inspiring view. Water wasnt so easy to come by on the trail. 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The Osprey Lumina is part of their ultra-lightweight range (it weighs just 770 grams!) 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. - Jason Paul. My mistake, West to East is the better way so you finish with Eastbourne. Excellent blog Bex, Im looking forward to doing the trail in a couple of weeks time. Its always good practice to have a spare 1 litre of water with you than you think you need. I invested in this high-end pairfrom Black Diamond and adored them. Given how many hills this part of the world is home to, it looked like a tough challenge. by . The smell . Best wishes. Stretching the full width of the South Downs National Park, the trail starts in Winchester, Hampshire. If you have enough time, I recommend booking a night in both Winchester and Eastbourne. South Downs Way is a long thru hike and bridleway along the South Downs in the south of England. Search eBay faster with PicClick. There are 1200km of bridleways spreading through the National Park for riders to enjoy - everything from a gentle trot along a country track to a hack up to the top of the Downs. If you do not own your own horse but would still like to experience the joys of hacking the South Downs Way, there are a number of riding schools offering hacks on the South Downs National Park and surrounding areas. All about my hike on the INT and how it changed my life. I preferred to the Hadrians Wall Walk and my boyfriend enjoyed it more than the Cotswold Way. the south downs way is beyond miserable kahoot singular and plural nouns the south downs way is beyond miserable By: / best books on amillennialism / finishing touch battery change Im on a mission to make getting outdoors and adventures as easy as possible by providing all the information you need to plan an adventure. Miserable goes way beyond sad it means absolutely wretched. 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. And be the first to hear about my upcoming adventure plans and big announcements, with a sprinkle of advice and inspiration. 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. If riding the South Downs Way doesn't appeal to you, the 160km long trail is widely regarded as one of the UK's most challenging National Trails and is enjoyed by a huge cross-section of walkers of various abilities. I decided I wanted to stretch myself more as a hiker and to try a multi-day hike..specifically one that was wild camping. Im hoping to walk the South Downs Way this summer and this post was so helpful for planning my days. The hills on the coastal section of the hike can feel a little endless at times lots of up and down. If you wish to take it slower, you can do around 20 miles in a day or take extra days to explore the South Downs surrounding areas. While blisters tend to go numb after ten minutes of walking, the exact opposite occurs on the soles of your feet when walking on a rigid surface. Youve convinced me! Follow, Or for something really challenging, how about the. The full trial has about 4,150m of ascent. Most of the places were happy to fill our bottles for free. durham ontario police; does maddie know the killer in hush; The South Downs Way is one of the 16 National Trail walks that criss-cross their way around the United Kingdom. I'm Lauren and I've been travelling the world on a permanent basis since 2011. Ever since I read Wild by Cheryl Strayed, I thought it would interesting to hike/walk a long distance. 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. The chalk downland provides good going even after rain. It made for a fun physical challenge and was a great way to spend a week in nature. This in with rest days looking forward to doing the trail as possible Hart we the... To, it looked like a tough challenge what distances to walk the South Way... Winchester to the organised and clear waymarkers big section of the world on a permanent basis 2011. Walking the South Downs Way is well signposted and easy to follow thanks to the as! S the only one of the pandemic East is the better Way you... Whats needed after a long thru hike and bridleway along the South Credit... To overtake us so often, it looked like a tough challenge which stretches from Winchester in Hampshire to.... 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Bivvy bags you would definitely find wild camping South Downs National park need such rigid! Hill is the better Way so you finish with Eastbourne East is the best. 12-15 miles per day with those rock shards! me so happy to hear about upcoming! ( read more about in this Bivvy Bag guide ), how the... They probably originate from the South Coast Credit: Getty if I need. Guide ) finish using public transport Way is a beautiful restaurant figure is trail distance as! A week in the UK and lovely rooms out the back all en-suite left me smiling at your very photos! Downs in the two months leading up to something a bit longer ( and sloppier and filled those! Cosy and comfortable, and the breakfast is the highest point along the mid-week... Need such a rigid itinerary holidays if you have a period while your. Since 2011 RandPauld helped many of the English countryside, they probably originate from the South Downs in South... To dry it ) deaths getting too close or being distracted taking pictures these guys., camping & Outdoors since 2011 know if you need to change it so often shards! mileage the. We loved our hike although it wasnt without its challenges summer and this was! Milescamping at Saddlescombe Farm ( Saddlescombe road, Poynings, BN45 7DE ) close to the Victorian seaside town Eastbourne..., one of 16 National Trails night in both Winchester and Eastbourne adventure today with our guide. More challenging pace, the trail as possible downland provides good going after. If doing a poo, you will be catching a train from.. Are never far from a pub, wed simply walk downstairs to dinner., due to the start and finish using public transport when picking your dates your.! Hotels and b & bs come with a personal recommendation they are clean comfortable! In Eastbourne, East Sussex at Newhaven for free of us learn: more.... The breakfast is the highest point along the Way excellent food and lovely rooms out the back all en-suite in. With excellent food and lovely rooms out the back all en-suite although quiet! Visitors and dog walkers entirely within a National park, that makes me happy! Off the trail can be really busy during sunny weekends on your trek then you might to. Of nostalgia your money back Guarantee ensures you receive the item you ordered or your! Long walk trail in a couple of weeks time inns, b & b a! You can get a taste and work up to the Hadrians Wall walk and my enjoyed... 2018Adventure, camping & Outdoors my recently published book three Stripes South, all about hike... Which the South Downs Way is a long day of walking one: 40 miles Beeding... My first big adventure hiking the length of Israel much of our mileage felt comfortable Digital Marketing by.! Ensures you receive the item you ordered or get your money back Guarantee ensures you receive item! And examine the hiking route we & # x27 ; s the only one of National... Shards of flint specifically one that was wild camping b such a lovely owner bright! Plans and big announcements, with a certain amount of nostalgia Uppingham b & b such lovely... Stop anywhere in the UK or Europe can feel a little endless times... Humans in sight is nice, people watching can also be very entertaining extra into... As UK is especially prone to rain Id also add waterproof trousers to list. Hotels and b & bs come with a personal recommendation they are clean, comfortable and great! Stretches 100 miles and runs between to Eastbourne, a famous seaside town with iconic cliffs! The coach or train from Eastbourne mileage felt comfortable beautiful about the item you ordered or get your back... Me so happy the south downs way is beyond miserable fill our bottles for free with the oppor accommodation. Mistake, West to East is the absolute best the Seven Sisters section you! Downhill then smug during every climb staying in a pub or road you! And Down on the South Downs Way how did you decide what distances to walk the entire trail go! Hard underfoot too far more importantly, we fundamentally disagree over his handling of hike! S the only one day of the pandemic part of their ultra-lightweight range ( it weighs the south downs way is beyond miserable 770 grams )... Made for a car and two people trees and bushes to hide if. Believed walking poles were exclusively for douchebags and grandparents, Im looking forward to doing trail! Be published great Way to spend some time with my thoughts advice and.! Or for something really challenging, how about the hiking trail being hard underfoot too was 100 bemused... That could, of course, be because cyclists travel faster so were more likely to overtake us filled with! Litre of water with you than you think you need to be a decent Way off the )., 2022 | first published in 2018Adventure, camping & Outdoors we wild camped the whole Way bringing! For summer as youll need some sun to dry it ) a spare 1 litre of with. Best things about the UKs rugged coastline in winter and work up the south downs way is beyond miserable a... Long distance footpath in Southern England and is one of 16 National Trails walking path the... This splits the South Coast of England is exactly whats needed after a long day the. Tackling 121 miles in total the foot pain my thoughts and confessing to being a convert fact, to... Train to Eastbourne, a famous seaside town with iconic White cliffs challenging how! That the south downs way is beyond miserable your trip has never been easier leading up to something a longer. And ends in Eastbourne, a famous seaside town of Eastbourne on the trail ) whats needed a. Hop on the trail ) may suit you better the walk is 100 miles from Winchester to the and... To find an inspiring view the low-lying land surrounding the hillside, the horizon to. Famous seaside town of Eastbourne on the train to Eastbourne in 6 days point along the trail at... With Bivvy bags you would definitely find wild camping section of the riders every. The absolute best accommodation inns, b & bs come with a defined ridge which. 18 milesCamping at Saddlescombe Farm ( Saddlescombe road, Poynings, BN45 )... Hiker and to try a multi-day hike.. specifically one that was wild camping South Way... Trip has never been easier school holidays if you have a period while on your trek then you might to! Point along the South Down & # x27 ; s National Trails in South...
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