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National Trail AcornSouth Downs Way National Trail

E Sussex, Hampshire, W Sussex

161 km / 100 miles
This National Trail follows old routes and droveways along the northern escarpment of the chalk Downs, from where there are extensive views across the Weald to the north and over the rounded hills and dry valleys to the sea in the south. Along the route, there are many features of historic interest, including Bronze and Iron Age hillforts and barrows, cross dykes, dew ponds, and Saxon churches.

There are several steep ascents when crossing the valleys of the Rivers Cuckmere at Alfriston, Ouse at Southease, Adur south of Bramber and Arun at Amberley.

Between Eastbourne and Alfristion there are two alternative routes. The main route runs along the scenic cliff tops to Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters, before turning inland at Cuckmere Haven along the Cuckmere Valley. A shorter alternative, via Jevington, stays inland.

At Alfriston there is a connection to the 1066 Country Walk, which leads in turn to the Saxon Shore Way.

The LDWA National Trails Register offers certificates for completers of several British National Trails.

See also E-Routes (E9)


Strider News - December 2023 (Publication Update)

New Cicerone guidebook


Details:

Waymark: National Trail Acorn
Path Type: National Trails (England & Wales)
Waymark: National Trail Acorn
Attributes: National Trail (England and Wales)
Challenging
Horse Ride (Multi User)
Downland/Wolds
National Park
Start: SU486293 - Winchester, Hampshire View on StreetMap
Finish: TV600971 - Eastbourne (Holywell), E Sussex View on StreetMap
Open Date: 1972
Web Sites: National Trails - South Downs Way South Downs Way Annual Walk Rambling Man - Planning your South Downs Way Walk Jason McDonald's Walking Pages - South Downs Way [blog] Southern Walks - South Downs Way Southern Walks - Chalk Country : South Downs Way - Winchester to Eastbourne British Walks - South Downs Way [blog] Annierak - South Downs Way [blog] Sustrans - South Downs Way Brian's Walks - South Downs Way [blog] South Downs Way Jackie McAll - South Downs Way [blog] Trailplanner - South Downs Way [blog] Walking the South Downs Way: an in-depth guide [blog] Camino Adventures - Guide to the South Downs Way Route [blog] A walker's journal - The South Downs Way [blog] South Downs Way [YouTube video] Walking the South Downs Way [YouTube video] Walk Wild - How to walk the South Downs Way : in-depth travel guide [blog] London Hiker - How Londoners can complete a National Trail in 4 weekends [blog] South Downs Way National Trail [YouTube video]

Publications, Badges and Certificates:

Guidebook Walking the South Downs Way National Trail: Winchester to Eastbourne, described in both directions  (Cicerone Press  - 2023 )
Guidebook South Downs Way : Winchester to Eastbourne  (Trailblazer  - 2022 )
Guidebook Fastpacking : multi-day running adventures : tips, stories and route ideas  (Cicerone Press  - 2018 )
Guidebook South Downs Way  (Rucksack Readers  - 2016 )
Guidebook South Downs Way: National Trail Guide  (Blackwell's  - 2022 )
General Interest Book Tales from the Big Trails  (Vertebrate Publishing  - 2021 )
General Interest Book Alone on the South Downs Way : one woman's solo journey from Winchester to Eastbourne  (Tribal Publishing  - 2016 )
General Interest Book National Trails : 19 long-distance routes through England, Scotland and Wales  (Cicerone Press  - 2015 )
General Interest Book Big walks of the south  (Summersdale Publishers  - 2010 )
General Interest Book Big walks of Great Britain  (Summersdale Publishers  - 2007 )
General Interest Book Companion on the South Downs Way  (Per-Rambulations  - 2006 )
General Interest Book The South Downs Way  (Frances Lincoln (an imprint of Quarto)  - 2008 )
External download Walks on the South Downs Way by Bus and Train  (South Downs National Park Authority  - 2019 ) Download
Other Features of the South Downs Way  (Field Studies Council  - 2011 )
Other South Downs Way video guide  (TV walks )
Other BBC Radio 4 : Ramblings : West Sussex - South Downs Way: East Meon  (BBC )
Other BBC Radio 4 : Ramblings : West Sussex - South Downs Way: South Harting  (BBC )
Other BBC Radio 4 : Ramblings : West Sussex - South Downs Way: Amberley  (BBC )
Other BBC Radio 4 : Ramblings : West Sussex - South Downs Way: Bramber  (BBC )
Other BBC Radio 4 : Ramblings : East Sussex - South Downs Way: Brighton  (BBC )
Other BBC Radio 4 : Ramblings : East Sussex - South Downs Way: Eastbourne  (BBC )
Badge Badge for National Trails  (Trails Shop )
Badge South Downs Way pin / lapel badge  (Trails Shop )
Certificate Certificate for National Trails  (Long Distance Walkers Association )
Certificate Certificate for National Trails  (Trails Shop )
Other National Trail mug  (Trails Shop )

Click to showhide 22 more Publications, Badges and Certificates


Maps:

You can use the interactive controls to zoom in and out and to move around the map, or click on a path or a marker for more info.(interactive map help)

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Path Variants
E Routes
Paths Marked on OS mapping
Other Paths

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Hostel Accommodation

Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2016.
© OpenStreetMap contributors under Open Database Licence.
Rights of way data from selected Local Authorities.
Large scale digital mapping is provided by John Thorn.
At high zoom levels the route is indicative only.
Purchase Ordnance Survey Maps (path is named on OS maps):
OS Landranger 185, 197, 198, 199
OS Landranger Active 185, 197, 198, 199
OS Explorer 3, 8, 10, 11, 25, 32, 33
OS Explorer Active 3, 8, 10, 11, 25, 32, 33
Other Paper Maps:
Map (Other)
South Downs Way (Vertebrate Publishing - 2020)
Harvey National Trail map
South Downs Way (Harvey Maps - 2016)
ZigZag 16 Stripmap
South Downs Way 1: Winchester to Buriton (Yellow Publications - April 2016)
ZigZag 16 Stripmap
South Downs Way 2: Buriton to Amberley (Yellow Publications - April 2016)
ZigZag 16 Stripmap
South Downs Way 3: Amberley to Ditchling Beacon (Yellow Publications - May 2016)
ZigZag 20 Stripmap
South Downs Way 4: Ditchling Beacon to Eastbourne (Yellow Publications - May 2016)
Map (Other)
A-Z Adventure Series
South Downs Way (Geographers' A-Z Map Company (an imprint of HarperCollins) - 2018)

Click to show 5 more Other Paper Maps


Walking Support Providers:

Support Providers
Support Providers
Support Providers
Baggage Handling and Self-Guided Walks (Footprints of Sussex (Walking Support))
Support Providers
Coach Assisted Walking Holidays (Bobs Walking Holidays)
Support Providers
Support Providers
Self-Guided Walking Holidays (Contours Holidays)
Support Providers
Self-Guided Walking Holidays (Instep Walking Holidays)
Support Providers
Support Providers
Baggage Handling and Self-Guided Walks (Walk & Cycle Britain Limited)
Support Providers
Support Providers
Self-Guided Walking Holidays (Absolute Escapes Ltd)
Support Providers
Baggage Handling and Self Guided Walks (Celtic Trails Walking Holidays)
Support Providers
Support Providers
Walking, Hiking and Cycling Holidays (Let's Go Walking! Ltd)
Support Providers
Walking, Hiking and Cycling Holidays (Mickledore Travel Ltd)
Support Providers
Self-Guided Walking Holidays (Sherpa Expeditions)
Support Providers
Baggage Handling and Self-Guided Walks (Great British Walks Limited)
Support Providers
Baggage Handling (Eco Friendly Deliveries)

Click to show 15 more Walking Support Providers


Accommodation within 5 km of this Path:

 
 
From
Path
Along
Path
Hostel Accommodation
< 1 km
31 km

Additional Images:


Connected Paths:


Downloads:

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GPX Route File
MemoryMap Route File
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(Members Only)
Tracklogs Route File
South Downs Way National Trail Tracklogs Route File
Last Updated 02/04/2021 21:33:40
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(Members Only)

Route Profile:

162.2 km (100.8 miles)
3,905 m (12,812 ft) ascent
245 m (804 ft)  maximum height

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