GPS Cycle and Walking Routes

Chichester Harbour Walk

6 miles (10 km)

This circular walk take you around the lovely Chidham peninsula. The peninsula extends southwards into Chichester Harbour and lies within an Area of Outstanding Beauty. It's a splendid place for a walk with footpaths running along the coast with fine views over the harbour for the duration of the walk. It's also great for wildlife with several species of wintering wildfowl and waders to look out for on the way.
The walk starts at the village of Nutbourne where there is a train station. You can then pick up the paths heading south along the Thorney Island to Cobnor Point. Here you can enjoy nice views across the Chichester Channel to West Itchenor. The path then turns north along the Bosham Channel to the village of Chidham, with nice views over to Bosham Quay. At Chidham you head west across the countryside to return to Nutbourne.
You can easily extend your walking in this lovely area by heading west to Thorney Island where you can pick up the Sussex Border Path long distance footpath. In nearby Chichester you can pick up the Chichester Canal an enjoy a waterside walk along the towpath. You can also pick up the long distance New Lipchis Way and West Sussex Literary Trail in Chichester.
A few miles south of Chichester you can enjoy more bird watching opportunities at the lovely RSPB Pagham Harbour.
In the city itself the Chichester Walls Walk is a great way of learning about the fascinating Roman history of the area.

Chichester Harbour OS Map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Chichester Harbour Open Street Map - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

If you head into Chidham village you can visit the splendid Old House at Home pub. The 18th century inn includes traditional wooden beams and open fireplaces. There's also a lovely garden area to relax in on warmer days. You can find the pub at postcode PO18 8SU for your sat navs.

Dog Walking

The area is a great for dog walking and the Old House at Home pub mentioned above is also dog friendly.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

For a shorter circular walk head east and visit the delightful Chichester Marina and Birdham. There's some lovely boats to see here with fine views over the harbour from a different perspective.
Just to the north west of the town there's the splendid Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve in the South Downs. The noteworthy reserve contains one of the finest yew forests in Europe, including a grove of ancient trees which are among the oldest living things in Britain.
On the western side of the town you could pick up the Centurion Way. This easy shared cycling and walking trail runs along the old Midhurst and Chichester railway track to West Dean.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Sussex Walks page.

Photos

View Across Chichester Harbour - geograph.org.uk - 1720247

View Across Chichester Harbour. At the Langstone side of the harbour, Langstone Mill can be seen to the right of picture, and The Royal Oak towards the left of picture. The area is one of the south coast's most popular sailing waters with as many as 12,500 craft regularly using the harbour, with competitive racing taking place among the 14 sailing clubs of the Chichester Harbour Federation.

Entrance to Chichester Harbour - geograph.org.uk - 1350202

Entrance to Chichester Harbour From beach at West Wittering. The land in the distance is Eastoke Point. 

Mudflats - Chichester Harbour - geograph.org.uk - 603330

Harbour Mudflats. The area includes a number of diverse habitats, such as intertidal mudflats, shingle, saltmarsh, sand dunes, marshes and woodland. The mudflats provide feeding grounds for internationally important numbers of redshanks, ringed plovers, black-tailed godwits, dunlins, sanderlings, curlews and greenshanks. There are also geologically important sand dunes and shingles at East Head and east of Langstone.

Chichester Harbour - geograph.org.uk - 160633

High Tide. Emsworth is in the distance.

Footpath on the western edge of Chidham Peninsula - geograph.org.uk - 2683139

Footpath on the western edge of Chidham Peninsula

Looking east from Chidham peninsula towards Bosham - geograph.org.uk - 2891226

Looking east from Chidham peninsula towards Bosham. Huge populations of wildfowl and waders use the mudflats feeding on the rich plant life and the expansive populations of intertidal invertebrates. Over 7,500 Brent geese overwinter on the intertidal mud-land and adjacent farmland and around 55,000 birds reside in or visit the Harbour throughout the year.

Footbridge in the north-eastern part of the Chidham peninsula - geograph.org.uk - 1627033

Footbridge in the north-eastern part of the Chidham peninsula. The harbour is one of the few remaining undeveloped coastal areas in Southern England and remains relatively wild. Its wide expanses and intricate creeks are a significant wildlife haven and among some of Britain's most popular boating waters.

Inlet curving with the coastal path approaching Chidham - geograph.org.uk - 1627883

Inlet curving with the coastal path approaching Chidham

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Chichester Harbour.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Share>Save to Files')

Memory Map Route

Chichester Harbour.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>'Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Share>Save to Files)