The Sussex South Downs are a major attraction for anyone living around or visiting the South Coast Area, and to really enjoy the best that the Downs have to offer, and to see the heart of Sussex up close, you can’t go far wrong by walking the South Downs Way.
The route travels just over 100 miles through the Sussex countryside and is
one of the UK’s National Trails. The pathways all follow the old drove-ways that farmers and
herders of the past used to transport their animals and wares,and the route traces the escarpment and
ridges of the South Downs from Winchester down through West Sussex and ending up at Eastbourne. It’s ideal for anyone who wants to enjoy a scenic long-distance route and it can be tackled on foot, bike or horseback. It's also offers excellent day walks for those who only want to tackle the route sections at a time.
Allow Time to Get to Your Sussex Hotels
Most hikers complete the entire walk in 8- 9 days, covering between 12 to 15 miles a day, but it doeas depend on where you’re staying as you'll need to add the distance of coming off the route to get to your hotel or campsite, and then climbing back up to the path in the morning. For the hardier and more determined there are several campsites along the route.Goodwood Hotels and Midhurst Hotels
There are several West Sussex hotels available along the
route, so exploring sections of the path is convenient if you are staying a
little of the track in a places like a Goodwood hotel or a Midhurst Hotel which
can make an ideal base for a local stay.
There are also several companies that organise trips along the way and
offer services such as moving your baggage between hotels while you walk along
the route.
The Best of Sussex – All Year Round
As the route is so well maintained it's suitable to be walked all year round, but it's worth remembering the most
popular times are between May and September.
The South Downs provide a tranquil retreat from the busy South Coast area and
the London suburbs to the North, and trail passes along the chalk ridges
between some of the most picturesque Sussex county towns. These include Goodwood,
Chichester, Midhurst, Pulborough and Worthing, before passing North of the seaside city of Brighton on the way down to Eastbourne. The ridge line that the route follows for much of the way is elevated above most of these, and so offers wonderful views over the English Channel and Isle of Wight to the south, and
wooded Weald and heathland to the north.
And if you're walking the route from North to South, your final leg takes you along the stunning cliff top pathway at Beachy Head.
Management
The South Downs Way is managed by
a dedicated team at the South Downs National Park Authority. The financing of the team comes via the South Downs Way Trail Partnership, which is made up of:
- The South Downs National Park Authority,
- Natural England,
- Hampshire County Council,
- West Sussex County Council and
- East Sussex County Council.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Downs_Way
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