Guidance

South Downs Way: National Trail

Published 24 June 2026

Applies to England

The South Downs Way is a 100-mile (160km) National Trail in southern England. It goes through the chalk escarpment and ridges of the South Downs and through the South Downs National Park.

The trail is open to walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

About the trail

The trail goes between:

• Winchester, Hampshire
• Eastbourne, East Sussex

You can choose to walk or ride the entire trail, a specific section or two, or find local walks or rides that follow some of the trail.

You can find some circular and linear walks and rides on the National Trails website.

When to visit

The trail is open all year.

The trail can be busy during school holidays and on weekends between May and September. At these times you should expect to come across larger, organised events.

Signposts on the trail

All National Trails are marked with an acorn symbol or the trail name. You’ll see these along the trail, for example on gates and signposts.

Walking or riding the whole trail

• Length: 100 miles (160km)
• Time to complete: around 8 or 9 days to walk the trail

You can walk or ride the trail in either direction. Signposts show the route in both directions so you can choose. 

The trail’s official guidebook is written from east to west. However, you’re likely to have the wind behind you if you walk or ride from west to east.

To find accommodation along the trail, you often have to stay in villages off the trail. When planning your route, you should include the time it will take you to reach the accommodation from the trail, and back to the trail.

Accessibility on the trail

There are several steep sections of the trail, including between Cuckmere Haven and Beachy Head, at Amberley Mount, either side of Chanctonbury Ring, at Butser Hill near Petersfield and at Beacon Hill near Exton.

You can find more information about inclusive access in the South Downs National Park, including:

• accessible routes (known as miles without stiles)
• inclusive equipment for hire - including mobility scooters and e-bikes

What you can experience on the trail  

There are many things you can experience on the South Downs Way, including:

• wildlife – such as chalk grasslands and visiting seals on the River Ouse
• historic and heritage sites – such as the Iron Age hill fort of Chanctonbury Ring and the Long Man of Wilmington
• nature reserves – such as Beacon Hill, Old Winchester Hill and Buster Hill
• local culture, food and entertainment

On the trail you can also visit cities, towns and small villages, including: 

• Winchester
• Exton
• Amberley
• Alfriston

Sections of the trail  

You can break the trail into sections that you can walk or ride in a day, or that give you time to visit specific things on or near the trail.  

There’s an example below, but you can find more information online and in guidebooks to help plan your route.

Winchester to Beacon Hill – 11 miles (17.7km)

The trail begins in the west, in the city of Winchester. Once out of the city, it quickly goes into the Hampshire countryside. There’s one steady climb towards Cheesefoot Head, otherwise there are no other steep ascents or descents on this section.

Beacon Hill to Old Winchester Hill – 4.5 miles (7.2km)

This short section goes from one National Nature Reserve at Beacon Hill to another at Old Winchester Hill. There’s steady climbing up the grassy slopes of each hill.

After Beacon Hill nature reserve, the trail splits into one for walkers only and the other for horse riders and cyclists. Both routes then go through the village of Exton.

Old Winchester Hill to Buriton – 12 miles (19.3km)

This section involves a gradual climb onto Butser Hill, which at 270m is the highest point along the South Downs Way. There are toilets and options for food and drink near the summit of the hill, as well as at the nearby Queen Elizabeth Country Park visitor centre. Not far from the trail is Buriton village, where you can go for food and drink, and accommodation.

Buriton to Cocking Hill – 10 miles (16.1km)

From here on, the trail follows the South Downs ridgeline nearly continuously all the way to Eastbourne. This section goes by Harting Down and the Devil’s Jumps Bronze Age burial mounts near Treyford.

There are good links to Harting village, which has food, drink and accommodation options, as well as public transport links to Chichester. At Cocking Hill, you can go down to the village of Cocking for food and drink, and accommodation.

Cocking Hill to Amberley – 12 miles (19.3km)

From Cocking Hill, the trail climbs a long but gradual hill towards Charlton Forest. There’s another steady climb after this to Bignor Hill before it goes down to the River Arun and towards Amberley. The village in Amberley has food and drink, accommodation and public transport. It also marks the halfway point of the trail.

Amberley to River Adur – 13 miles (20.9km)

This section begins with a steep climb up to Amberley Mount and then levels off before descending to Washington, where there’s some options for food and drink. The trail crosses the busy A24 road near Washington at 2 points, and the safer route to the north uses a bridge. There’s another steep climb towards Chanctonbury Ring before the trail descends to the River Adur.

River Adur to River Ouse – 21 miles (33.8km)

This long section starts with a steep climb before passing through the Devil’s Dyke valley. Further east the trail ascends to 248m at Ditchling Beacon, which is the highest point on the Sussex Downs. There’s a bus service here that goes to and from Brighton.

The trail goes around the town of Lewes, where there are many places for food and drink, and accommodation. The section finishes with a descent towards the River Ouse.

River Ouse to River Cuckmere and Alfriston – 7 miles (11.3km)

This section involves a long climb up Itford Hill towards the summit at Firle Beacon. From there the trail gradually descends towards the village of Alfriston. This section has numerous options to drop down from the ridge for food and drink.

Alfriston to Eastbourne

From Alfriston there’s a choice of 2 routes you can take to reach the trail’s eastern ending point at Eastbourne.

Horse-riders and cyclists must take the route by Jevington.

1. By Seven Sisters – 10.5 miles (16.9km)

This section starts by following the Cuckmere River and then goes by Friston Forest, Seven Sisters Country Park and the coastal hamlet of Birling Gap. There are steep ascents and descents. The final climb of the trail goes onto Beachy Head before descending into Eastbourne.

2. By Jevington – 8.5 miles (13.7km)

This section is less busy than the route by Seven Sisters. From Alfriston the trail climbs Windover Hill, where it’s possible to see the Long Man of Wilmington chalk hill figure with a short detour. The trail then descends steeply through woodland into the hamlet of Jevington. There is one final climb up Willingdon Hill before it descends into Eastbourne.

Maps for the trail

You can find:   

• a map on the National Trails website - you can also download GPX data  
• other maps and guidebooks online and in print 
• circular and linear walks online and from the local council

The Ordnance Survey (OS) Explorer maps that cover the South Downs Way are:   

• OL8 Chichester
• OL10 Arundel and Pulborough
• OL11 Brighton and Hove
• OL25 Eastbourne and Beachy Head
• OL32 Winchester

Diversions or closures on the trail

If there are any diversions or closures of sections of the trail, these will be clearly signposted. You should always follow the signposts on the trail.

Prepare for your visit

Read guidance on how to prepare for your visit for information on: 

• checking the route – including for diversions or closures 
• planning your trip 
• what to prepare before you set off 
• what to do on the trail

Contact

Use the relevant National Trails online form to:

• report a problem
• ask a question about accessibility on the trail
• find out about volunteering opportunities

Contact the local council to report a problem on a public right of way, for example obstructions, poor maintenance or a misleading sign.