South Downs Way
Description
- Name South Downs Way
- Length of trail 163 km, 101 miles
- Length in days 8 days
- Start of trail Eastbourne
- Traildino grading EW, Easy walk, nature trail


101 miles, 162 km, 8 days
National Trail
The South Downs Way is a National Trail, like its northern neighbour, the North Downs Way.
Opinions

- Henk Nouws May 2016
- Rate 8
- Positive Pretty villages, great pubs
- Negative A busy area, between London and the South Coast

- Philipp October 2016
- Rate 9

- Rory
- Rate 8
- Positive The South Downs Way is covered in history, a truly beautiful walk. At times open and windy, others sheltered by woodland, but all the time a real joy to walk. Easy going, charming scenery and great pubs either side of the downs. I live on the South Downs and will say that this is the best way to experience this part of England.

- Aaron Barnes August 2006
- Rate 10
- Positive Everything. Easy walking with fantastic views from start to finish. Plentyful accomodation. My favourite trail so far (2012, walked in 2006) and it will be difficult to beat. Just do it!
- Negative I can't think of anything other than - watch out for rampaging cyclists! (Disclaimer - cast majority of cyclists are excellent - there are however always one or two idiots that seem to be intent on mowing down walkers!) Much is classified bridleway so just be aware that the route is well used by various different groups and can be busy!
Map
Links
Facts
- Home - South Downs Way - National Trails
Home page on National Trails.
- The South Downs Way
A pictoral description of the trail
- 7 walk the South Downs Way in 8 Days
A description of an 8 day walk along the South Downs Way by a group of 7 men in May 2012. Describes the route, the accommodation, what was good and what was not so good.
- Hikeview South Downs Way
Guide to planning a walk along the South Downs Way, including a standard breakdown of the walk with distance and walking time estimates. With detailed map of the trail delineated in 2 mile segments
- Hiking in Britain - South Downs Way
Another description of the trail
- Ramblers | S | South Downs Way National Trail
- South Downs Way Long Distance Path Directory
Entry by The Walking Englishman
- South Downs Way National Trail
Another description of the Way.
- South Downs Way National Trail - LDWA Long Distance Paths
- South Downs Way on AboutBritain.com
Sectionwise description by AboutBritain.com
- The South Downs Way | England - Times Online
This is the story Times Online has to tell.
- Walking the South Downs Way - Walking And Hiking (UK)
Reports
- A blog of my travels » SDW Day 1 (Eastbourne to Southease)
Blog-style report by Christopher Weddell.
- Ashley Heeley's South Downs Way Diary
Looking at the pictures you think you know why an empty country can be so beautiful. From the Seven Sisters to Winchester Cathedral: this is genuine England.
- jon's weblog: Lewes to Eastbourne via South Downs Way
Short but overdetailed account, plus some pretty pictures.
- Long Distance Walking: South Downs Way
Long Distance Walking Blog by Sergio
- Rob Lee - Live from the South Downs Way
Bikers report: the trail in 24 hours (and return)
- South Downs Way
This is Annierak's story.
- South Downs Way « On The Road with Vicky Lamburn
Trail report, 2008, with old-time black and white photographs.
- The South Downs Way
Trail report
- The South Downs Way
Trail report by David Cotton.
- Walking the South Downs Way 1 | Ecstatic Gaucho
A blog by Ecstatic Gaucho.
- Walking the South Downs Way · The Travel Cooler - travel articles, views, interviews and photographs from around the world
Trail stories and a photo gallery.
- baz's backpacking blog: south downs way - winchester to buriton
Short blog
- The South Downs Way
A story in words only.
Guides and maps
- The South Downs Way in West Sussex
Step by step guide to the ancient South Downs Way in West Sussex, from the Hampshire border all the way to East Sussex.
Lodging
Organisations
Tour operators
GPS
Other
- south downs national park, south downs way annual walk, eastbourne to winchester
Page about the Annual South Downs Way Walk
Books

United Kingdom
- Hampshire & The New Forest Year Round Walks
- These 20 circular walks, varying in length from 2 to 7 miles, take in renowned beauty spots, hidden gems and must-sees from across Hampshire & the New Forest. The guide has been divided into seasons, so you`ll find a recommendation for every day of the year. Highlights include: * Spring: Hurstbourne Tarrant with its thatched cottages, and the... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Hampshire & The New Forest Year Round Walks
- These 20 circular walks, varying in length from 2 to 7 miles, take in renowned beauty spots, hidden gems and must-sees from across Hampshire & the New Forest. The guide has been divided into seasons, so you`ll find a recommendation for every day of the year. Highlights include: * Spring: Hurstbourne Tarrant with its thatched cottages, and the... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- 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
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Meon Valley, Portsmouth, Gosport & Fareham OS Explorer Active Map OL3 (waterproof)
- Meon Valley, Portsmouth, Gosport and Fareham area of south Hampshire on a detailed topographic and GPS compatible map OL3, waterproof version, from the Ordnance Survey’s 1:25,000 Explorer series. Coverage extends from the coast to Owslebury and East Meon, and includes part of the South Downs National Park, a section of the South Downs Way... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- A Journey Through South-East England: Broadstairs to Lewes
- A Journey Through South-East England:Broadstairs to Lewes follows Brian`s latest walking adventures through the South-East of England. Brian has previously walked over 1,000 miles for his last two walking companion guide books, Finding My Place and Walking My Patch. In this book, Brian shares the details of four complex walks: Broadstairs to... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Eastbourne, Hastings, Crowborough, Battle & Heathfield OS Landranger Map 199 (paper)
- Eastbourne and Hastings area, including the Seven Sisters and sections of the South Downs Way and the E9 European Long-distance Path, on a paper version of map No. 199 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic mapping plus tourist information.MOBILE DOWNLOADS: As well as the physical... Read more

United Kingdom
2018
- Fastpacking
- Multi-day running adventures: tips, stories and route ideas Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Eastbourne, Hastings, Crowborough, Battle & Heathfield OS Landranger Active Map 199 (waterproof)
- Eastbourne and Hastings area, including the Seven Sisters and sections of the South Downs Way and the E9 European Long-distance Path, on a waterproof and tear-resistant OS Active version of map No. 199 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic mapping plus tourist information.MOBILE... Read more

United Kingdom
2015
- The National Trails
- 19 Long-Distance Routes through England, Scotland and Wales Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Netherlands
2015
- Wandelgids the National Trails - Great British Walks - Engeland, Wales en Schotland | Cicerone
- This inspirational guidebook looks at each of the UK's 19 National Trails, with information that allows ease of comparison and contrast, inspiring you to find out more and to take up a long-distance challenge. Some Trails are short and easy, others much longer, many have strong themes - they may follow a coastline, or traverse ranges of hills. Read more

United Kingdom
- Batsford's Walking Guides: South Downs
- Batsford's Walking Guides is an exciting new gift series of walking books, aimed at the weekend, family walker. These small-format, portable, hardback books have an attractive retro feel, with nostalgic line drawings and hand-drawn maps. Each of the 20 walks have been carefully selected to appeal to family walkers, most are circular and... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- South Downs - 20 Country Walks For All The Family
- Batsford`s Walking Guides is an exciting new gift series of walking books, aimed at the weekend, family walker. These small-format, portable, hardback books have an attractive retro feel, with nostalgic line drawings and hand-drawn maps. Each of the 20 walks have been carefully selected to appeal to family walkers, most are circular and none... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Chichester, South Harting & Selsey OS Explorer Map OL8 (paper)
- Chichester, South Harting and Selsey area of Sussex and Hampshire on a detailed topographic and GPS compatible map OL8, paper version, from the Ordnance Survey’s 1:25,000 Explorer series. Coverage along the coast extends from Pagham westwards across Selsey Bill and Hayling Island to Langstone Harbour, and includes part of the South Downs... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Arundel & Pulborough - Worthing & Bognor Regis OS Explorer Active Map OL10 (waterproof)
- Arundel and Pulborough area of Sussex on a detailed topographic and GPS compatible map OL10, waterproof 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... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
- Chichester, South Downs, Bognor Regis & Arundel OS Landranger Map 197 (paper)
- Chichester and Bognor Regis area, including the South Downs National Park and a section of the South Downs Way / E9 European Long-distance Path, on a paper version of map No. 197 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic mapping plus tourist information.MOBILE DOWNLOADS: As well as... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Aldershot, Guildford, Camberley & Haslemere OS Landranger Active Map 186 (waterproof)
- 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 waterproof and tear-resistant OS Active version of map No. 186 from the Ordnance Survey’s Landranger series at 1:50,000, with contoured and GPS compatible topographic mapping plus... Read more

United Kingdom
- Alone on the South Downs Way
- A Tale of Two Journeys from Winchester to Eastbourne Read more

United Kingdom
- West Sussex: A Dog Walker's Guide
- A leisurely stroll in the countryside is always a pleasure for dog walkers. But after leaving the familiar local routes there are always the worries of suddenly finding a field full of sheep, or a busy road, not to mention the difficulty of knowing which pubs and cafes will welcome dogs. Here is a collection of 20 tried and tested circular... Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- West Sussex: A Dog Walker`s Guide
- A leisurely stroll in the countryside is always a pleasure for dog walkers. But after leaving the familiar local routes there are always the worries of suddenly finding a field full of sheep, or a busy road, not to mention the difficulty of knowing which pubs and cafes will welcome dogs. Here is a collection of 20 tried and tested circular... Read more
Maps

United Kingdom
- Chichester and The South Downs
- Chichester and The South Downs at 1:25,000 in a series of Walker Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

United Kingdom
- Chichester & The South Downs AA Walker`s Map 20
- Chichester and The South Downs 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. Maps in the AA Walker’s series are identical to the OS Explorer maps and provide plenty of recreational and tourist information, indicating in England and Wales the traditional public... Read more

United Kingdom
- Eastbourne and Beachy Head
- Eastbourne and Beachy Head at 1:25,000 in a series of Walker Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom

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

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

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

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

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

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

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
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

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

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:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- Bol.com, Netherlands
- Bol.com, Belgium

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

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

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

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

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

United Kingdom
- 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:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- Bol.com, Netherlands
- Bol.com, Belgium

United Kingdom
- 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

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

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