Mountain Biking on the South Downs

Emergencies

Map key

Overview map

Route summary table

Introduction

About the routes in this guide

Getting there and getting around

When to go

Safety

Equipment

Navigation

Hydration

Food

Rights of way and other users

Maps

How to use this guide

Abbreviations

The South Downs Way National Trail

The South Downs Way: Introduction

Route 1 The South Downs Way Day 1: Winchester to Cocking

Route 2 The South Downs Way Day 2: Cocking to Ditchling Beacon

Route 3 The South Downs Way Day 3: Ditchling Beacon to Eastbourne

Routes around Winchester

Route 4 New Alresford – Warnford Circuit

Route 5 Winchester – Gander Down Circuit

Route 6 Winchester to Petersfield (and return variants)

Routes around Chichester and Petersfield

Route 7 Westdean Woods and Cocking Down

Route 8 Heyshott Down and Charlton Forest

Route 9 Petersfield – Beacon Hill Circuit

Route 10 Chichester – Charlton Forest Circuit

Route 11 Petersfield – Singleton Forest Circuit

Routes around Arundel and Worthing

Route 12 Amberley and Houghton Forest

Route 13 Worthing – Chanctonbury Ring Circuit

Route 14 Worthing – Springhead Hill Circuit

Route 15 Arundel – Graffham Down Circuit (and Amberley alternative)

Route 16 Lancing – Amberley Mount Circuit

Routes around Brighton and Lewes

Route 17 Castle Hill Circuit

Route 18 Brighton – Lewes Circuit

Route 19 Brighton – Truleigh Hill Circuit

Route 20 Devil’s Dyke – Blackcap Circuit

Route 21 Brighton to Eastbourne

Route 22 Brighton – Ouse Valley Circuit

Routes around Eastbourne

Route 23 Friston Forest Circuit

Route 24 Seaford – Firle Beacon Circuit

Route 25 Eastbourne – Cuckmere Valley Circuit

Route 26 Eastbourne – Firle Beacon Circuit

Appendices

Appendix A: Camping and accommodation

Appendix B: Water points along the South Downs Way

Appendix C: Bike shops/mechanics

Appendix D: Useful contacts

Ordnance Survey provides map coverage of the South Downs in 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 scales (see www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/leisure).

The most up-to-date 1:50,000 scale Ordnance Survey mapping is used for the routes in this guidebook. At the time of going to press, the information on the maps included in this guide was accurate. A note of caution: the status of some rights of way may be changed over time. Most often – but not always – cyclists have been granted greater access rights with footpaths and other rights of way being ‘upgraded’ to permissive bridleways. Older copies of maps may contain information that is at odds with what is included here.

Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 Explorer series

Winchester, New Alresford & East Meon – Explorer 132
Haslemere & Petersfield, Midhurst & Selbourne – Explorer 133
Meon Valley, Portsmouth, Gosport & Fareham – Explorer 119
Chichester & the Downs, South Harting & Selsey – Explorer 120
Arundel & Pulborough, Worthing & Bognor Regis – Explorer 121
Brighton & Hove, Lewes & Burgess Hill – Explorer 122
Eastbourne & Beachy Head, Newhaven, Seaford, Hailsham & Heathfield – Explorer 123

Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 Landranger series

Winchester & Basingstoke – Landranger 185
Chichester & The South Downs – Landranger 197
Brighton & Lewes – Landranger 198
Eastbourne & Hastings – Landranger 199

Harvey Maps publish a lightweight, waterproof 1:40,000 single sheet map showing the whole of the SDW (see www.harveymaps.co.uk)

Digital Ordnance Survey mapping of the region is available from www.memory-map.co.uk and www.anquet.co.uk.

April 2024

South Downs National Park Authority address