South Downs Way

Description

    SW
  1. Name South Downs Way
  2. Length of trail 163 km, 101 miles
  3. Length in days 8 days
  4. Start of trail Eastbourne
  5. Traildino grading EW, Easy walk, nature trail

South Downs Way

101 miles, 162 km, 8 days

National Trail

The South Downs Way is a National Trail, like its northern neighbour, the North Downs Way.

The Way is one of the most popular walks in England. The 100 mile or so start in Bournemouth, and here the walker is offered two choices. The coastal path runs along spectacular chalk cliffs, among them the Seven Sisters. This stretch is for walkers only. The inland leg is also accessible for cyclists and on horseback, as is the rest of the trail up till its end point in the historical city of Winchester.
 
The Downs essentially is a range of broad hills, mostly bare, cultivated with crops and grassland, offering good views over a patchwork of fields on both sides. The path mostly stays on the crest of the hills, but often dips into North South running ceasures where one usually has to cross, often in perilous  circumstances, busy roads. That's one thing to mention: sandwiched between London and the cities in the south, this is a busy part of the country. 
 
Originally, the chalk hills offered a rich and varied biosphere for all sorts of rare plants and insects, but these days, the only places you may spot these living treasures, are sites protected by conservationist organisations. All the rest of the country is quite dullified, the result of the interaction of farmers wishing to earn a decent living and consumers wishing to pay low prices.
 
Accommodation on the trail itself is scarce. A few Youth Hostels and the odd village. Most of the villages lie in the lowlands, way off the path. But the before mentioned suicide road crossings come in handy here, because regular bus services will carry you off and on the trail, into the villages and even seaside resorts like Brighton.
 
It may be lovely weather on the downs, with all kinds of birds and warblers whirling around, and even Red Kite and Raven in the air. But there also may be ferocious winds and rains, which, in a open landscape, is surely going to test your guts: be well prepared. 
Select some tracks
South Downs Way, 161km
South Downs Way (Inland Route), 13km

Map

South Downs Way

Books

The Book Depository
United Kingdom
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  • Stanfords, United Kingdom
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Arundel & Pulborough - Worthing & Bognor Regis OS Explorer Map OL10 (paper)
  • Arundel and Pulborough area of Sussex on a detailed topographic and GPS compatible map OL10, paper version, from the Ordnance Survey’s 1:25,000 Explorer series. Coverage along the coast extends from east of Worthing across Littlehampton to west of Bognor Regis and inland to Pulborough, and includes part of the South Downs National Park with a... Read more
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2015
  • Also available from:
  • Stanfords, United Kingdom
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
2015
  • Crawley & Horsham - Cranleigh & Billingshurst OS Explorer Map OL34 (paper)
  • Crawley and Horsham area of Sussex and Surrey on a detailed topographic and GPS compatible map OL34, paper version, from the Ordnance Survey’s 1:25,000 Explorer series. Coverage extends from Cranleigh and Crawley in the north to Hickstead and Bedham, and includes Billinghurst, Nymans, part of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,... Read more
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2020
  • South Downs Way
  • Easy-to-use folding map and essential information, with custom itinerary planning for walkers, trekkers, fastpackers and trail runners Read more
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  • Stanfords, United Kingdom
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
2020
  • South Downs Way - Easy-to-use Folding Map and Essential Information
  • The 162-kilometre South Downs Way begins in Winchester and traces a ridgeline along the rolling, green South Downs to the coast at Eastbourne. It is rightly regarded as one of the finest long-distance trails in England. Predominantly bridleway, the trail is generally wide and hard-surfaced and can be walked at any time of year. The South Downs... Read more
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2020
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
  • Also available from:
  • Stanfords, United Kingdom
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2022
  • Also available from:
  • Stanfords, United Kingdom
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
2022
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
  • Also available from:
  • Stanfords, United Kingdom
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2021
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2018
  • Also available from:
  • Stanfords, United Kingdom
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2021
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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De Zwerver
Netherlands
2021
  • Wandelgids Park Rangers Favourite Walks South Downs | Collins
  • Walking guide to the South Downs National Park, with 20 best routes chosen by the park rangers. Each walk varies in length from 2 to 10 km and can be completed in less than 4 hours. 20 best routes chosen and written by National Park rangers Walks from 2 to 10kmDetailed description for each walk with highlights clearly marked... Read more
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2016
  • Also available from:
  • Stanfords, United Kingdom
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
2016
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2022
  • Also available from:
  • Stanfords, United Kingdom
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
2022
  • Winchester, New Alresford & East Meon OS Explorer Map OL32 (paper)
  • Winchester, New Alresford and East Meon area of Hampshire on a detailed topographic and GPS compatible map OL32, paper version, from the Ordnance Survey’s 1:25,000 Explorer series. Coverage includes part of the South Downs National Park with the westernmost section of the South Downs Way National Trail. Other trails include the Monarch’s Way,... Read more
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The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2016
  • Also available from:
  • Stanfords, United Kingdom
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
2016
  • Aldershot, Guildford, Camberley & Haslemere OS Landranger Map 186 (paper)
  • Aldershot and Guildford area, including the northern part of the South Downs National Park and a section of the North Downs Way / E2 European Long-distance Path, on a paper version of map No. 186 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic mapping plus tourist information.MOBILE... Read more
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More books…

Maps

The Book Depository
United Kingdom
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Eastbourne & Beachy Head AA Walker`s Map 30
  • Eastbourne and Beachy Head at 1:25,000 in a series of Walker’s Maps published by the AA with the cartography from the Ordnance Survey’s Explorer series. Coverage includes Seven Sisters and the Cuckmere Haven, the start of the South Downs Way, Seaford, Newhaven, Alfriston, Firle, Glynde, Ringmer, Uckfield, Buxted, Heathfield, Herstmonceux,... Read more
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Stanfords
United Kingdom
2017
  • South Downs Way A-Z Adventure Atlas
  • The South Downs Way at 1:25,000 in a series of handy A5 size Adventure Atlases from Geographers` A-Z Map Company with cartography from the Ordnance Survey’s Explorer series. The atlas shows the whole course of this national trail from Winchester to Eastbourne, with the variants via the Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters, or via Jevington.To see... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Chichester and the South Downs 1919-1920
  • Map No. 197, Chichester and the South Downs 1919-1920, in the Cassini Historical Series of old Ordnance Survey mapping of England and Wales at 1:50,000 in a format designed to offer a convenient comparison with the present day coverage from the OS, and most locations in three different editions. Old historical maps have been combined so that... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Chichester and the South Downs 1897-1900
  • Map No. 197, Chichester and the South Downs 1897-1900, in the Cassini Historical Series of old Ordnance Survey mapping of England and Wales at 1:50,000 in a format designed to offer a convenient comparison with the present day coverage from the OS, and most locations in three different editions. Old historical maps have been combined so that... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • England Coast Path Adventure Map - Minehead to Brean Down
  • The A-Z Adventure Series of maps combines the best of OS and A-Z, creating the perfect companion for walkers, off-road cyclists, horse riders and anyone wishing to explore the great outdoors.This official Minehead to Brean Down Adventure Map covers a 58 mile (93km) section of the England Coast Path, a new National Trail around England`s coast.... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Chichester and the South Downs 1810-1920 (3-map set)
  • Map No. 197, Chichester and the South Downs 1810-1920 (3-map set), in the Cassini Historical Series of old Ordnance Survey mapping of England and Wales at 1:50,000 in a format designed to offer a convenient comparison with the present day coverage from the OS, and most locations in three different editions. Old historical maps have been... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Great Cycle Routes: The North and South Downs
  • Great Cycle Routes: The North and South Downs provides a selection of enjoyable on and off road rides in the area, varying length and level of difficulty, and ranging in duration from a leisurely couple of hours to full day excursions. The book features twenty five individually graded routes, each with a factfile and full information. Useful... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Kent & East Sussex Cycle Tours
  • ”Kent and East Sussex” is one of 10 titles in the ”Cycle Tours” series. The series has now been in continuous print for more than 15 years and with regular route revisions and updating the successful formula has gathered a large following.Each book in the series contains 20 routes all of which are either totally new or have been re-ridden and... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Surrey & West Sussex Cycle Tours
  • ”Surrey and West Sussex” is one of 10 titles in the updated ”Cycle Tours” series. The series has now been in continuous print for more than 15 years and with regular route revisions and updating the successful formula has gathered a large following. Each book in the series contains 20 routes all of which are either totally new or have been... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • Chichester and the South Downs 1810-1813
  • Map No. 197, Chichester and the South Downs 1810-1813, in the Cassini Historical Series of old Ordnance Survey mapping of England and Wales at 1:50,000 in a format designed to offer a convenient comparison with the present day coverage from the OS, and most locations in three different editions. Old historical maps have been combined so that... Read more
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2017
  • Thames Path A-Z Adventure Atlas
  • The A-Z Adventure series features the accuracy and quality of Ordnance Survey`s Explorer mapping in a convenient book, therefore eliminating the need to fold and re-fold a large sheet map to the desired area. OS Explorer is Ordnance Survey`s most detailed mapping at a scale of 1:25 000 showing public rights of way, open access land, national... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Netherlands
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Netherlands
2017
  • Thames Path Adventure Atlas
  • The A-Z Adventure series features the accuracy and quality of Ordnance Survey`s Explorer mapping in a convenient book, therefore eliminating the need to fold and re-fold a large sheet map to the desired area. OS Explorer is Ordnance Survey`s most detailed mapping at a scale of 1:25 000 showing public rights of way, open access land, national... Read more
Bol.com
Belgium
2017
  • Thames Path Adventure Atlas
  • The A-Z Adventure series features the accuracy and quality of Ordnance Survey`s Explorer mapping in a convenient book, therefore eliminating the need to fold and re-fold a large sheet map to the desired area. OS Explorer is Ordnance Survey`s most detailed mapping at a scale of 1:25 000 showing public rights of way, open access land, national... Read more
» Click to close
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • South Downs Way Harvey National Trail XT40
  • The South Downs Way, a 160km / 100 mile National Trail from Eastbourne to Winchester, presented at 1:40,000 on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant map from Harvey Map Services. The route is shown on nine panels, with additional small street plans of Eastbourne and Winchester. Map legend and the accompanying notes are also in French and... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • De Zwerver, Netherlands
» Click to open
De Zwerver
Netherlands
  • Wandelkaart - Fietskaart South Downs Way | Harvey Maps
  • The South Downs Way, a 160km / 100 mile National Trail from Eastbourne to Winchester, presented at 1:40,000 on a light, waterproof and tear-resistant map from Harvey Map Services. The route is shown on nine panels, with additional small street plans of Eastbourne and Winchester. Map legend and the accompanying notes are also in French and... Read more
» Click to close
Stanfords
United Kingdom
  • England Coast Path - Camber to Folkestone Adventure Map
  • The A-Z Adventure Series of maps combines the best of OS and A-Z, creating the perfect companion for walkers, off-road cyclists, horse riders and anyone wishing to explore the great outdoors.This official Camber to Folkestone Adventure Map section of the England Coast Path, a new National Trail around England`s coast. More than just a path, it... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Netherlands
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • England Coast Path Camber to Folkestone Adventure Map
  • The A-Z Adventure Series of maps combines the best of OS and A-Z, creating the perfect companion for walkers, off-road cyclists, horse riders and anyone wishing to explore the great outdoors.This official Camber to Folkestone Adventure Map section of the England Coast Path, a new National Trail around England`s coast. More than just a path, it... Read more
Bol.com
Belgium
  • England Coast Path Camber to Folkestone Adventure Map
  • The A-Z Adventure Series of maps combines the best of OS and A-Z, creating the perfect companion for walkers, off-road cyclists, horse riders and anyone wishing to explore the great outdoors.This official Camber to Folkestone Adventure Map section of the England Coast Path, a new National Trail around England`s coast. More than just a path, it... Read more
» Click to close
Bol.com
Netherlands
  • England Coast Path Folkestone to Ramsgate Adventure Map
  • The A-Z Adventure Series of maps combines the best of OS and A-Z, creating the perfect companion for walkers, off-road cyclists, horse riders and anyone wishing to explore the great outdoors.This official Folkestone to Ramsgate Adventure Map section of the England Coast Path, a new National Trail around England`s coast. More than just a path,... Read more
  • Also available from:
  • Bol.com, Belgium
» Click to open
Bol.com
Belgium
  • England Coast Path Folkestone to Ramsgate Adventure Map
  • The A-Z Adventure Series of maps combines the best of OS and A-Z, creating the perfect companion for walkers, off-road cyclists, horse riders and anyone wishing to explore the great outdoors.This official Folkestone to Ramsgate Adventure Map section of the England Coast Path, a new National Trail around England`s coast. More than just a path,... Read more
» Click to close
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