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The South Downs Way
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Following the undulating crest of the South Downs, from the village of Buriton on the Sussex-Hampshire border, two miles southwest of Petersfield train station, to their spectacular end at Beachy Head, the
South Downs Way
rises and dips over eighty miles along the chalk uplands, offering the southeast's finest walks. If undertaken in its entirety, the bridle-path is best traversed from west to east, taking advantage of the prevailing wind, Eastbourne's better transport services and accommodation, and the psychological appeal of ending at the sea.
Steyning
, the halfway-point, marks a transition between predominantly wooded sections and more exposed chalk uplands - to the east of here you'll pass the modern
youth hostel
at Truleigh Hill (tel 01903/813419). Other hostels along the way are at Telscombe and at Alfriston, where a southern loop can be taken which brings you to Eastbourne along the cliffs of the Seven Sisters, and an old bothy at Gumber Farm (tel 01243/814484; closed Nov-Easter), near Bignor Hill.
The OS Landranger
maps
#198 and #199 cover the eastern end of the route; you'll need #185 and #197 as well to cover the lot. Half a dozen guides are available, the best being
South Downs Way
by Miles Jebb (Cicerone Press), or the more detailed
South Downs Way
by Paul Millmore (Aurum Press). Other useful information
for tourists (each section contains more specific sub-sections): |
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United Kingdom,
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