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Please use the links below to view full route information including descriptions, elevation profiles, interactive maps and GPS downloads. You can also view an overview map of all the routes in the county here
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| Sussex Walks |
| Route Name | Pic | Distance | Description |
| 1066 Country Walk |  | 31 miles (50 km) | Follow in the steps of William the Conqueror on this historic walk through the Sussex countryside which commemorates the famous battle in 1066.
The route starts by Pevensey castle and heads through the countryside to the 15th century Herstmonceux Castle with its moat and Elizabethan gardens. The path then continues through Ashburnham to the fascinating Battle Abbey, set on the site of the 1066 Battle of Hastings.
The final section takes you to the finish point at the attractive town of Rye via Westfield and Icklesham.
For more information on the attractions and history of the area please click here |
| Centurion Way |  | 6 miles (10 km) | This pleasant short route follows the Centurion Way along a disused railway path from Chichester to West Dean.
The ride is flat and traffic free making it ideal for cycling families or walkers looking for a pleasant easy stroll through the Sussex countryside. |
| Cuckoo Trail |  | 14 miles (23 km) | This traffic free cycle and walking path runs along a disused railway line from Heathfield to the outskirts of Eastbourne. The trail follows NCN route 21 and runs through a mixture of woodland, grassland and countryside with a variety of interesting sculptures lining the way. This is a nice easy route ideal for families. |
| Diamond Way |  | 60 miles (97 km) | This is a fairly easy walk from West to East Sussex through heathland, farmland and forest. The walk runs from Midhurst to Heathfield and passes through Petworth, Billinghurst, Haywards Heath, Lindfield and Nutley. It was created by the Sussex Ramblers Association to celebrate their 60th anniversary.
Highlights on the walk include Petworth House which holds the 'National Trust's finest art collection displayed in a magnificent 17th century mansion within a beautiful 700-acre park'. This can be found on the first leg of the journey from Midhurst to Petworth.
The walk also includes pleasant waterside sections along the River Arun near Billinghurst and then along the upper reaches of the River Ouse at Lindfield.
There are also several wooded sections including Flexham Park, Sheffield Forest and a number of other smaller woods dotted along the route. |
| Downs Link |  | 36 miles (58 km) | This is a terrific walking or cycling path running from St Martha's Hill to Shoreham-by-Sea and linking the North and South Downs National Trails.
You start on St Martha's Hill will terrific views of the Surrey countryside before heading south to Cranleigh along the Wey and Arun Canal. The path continues to Rudgwick and then onto the delightful Southwater Country Park. The next stage takes you to Henfield and then onto Bramber with its ruined castle. The final stage runs along the River Adur taking you to Shoreham-by-Sea. |
| Forest Way |  | 11 miles (17 km) | This cycling and walking route runs from East Grinstead to Groombridge following NCN route 21 along a flat tree lined path.
The trail follows a disused railway line route and has splendid views of the rolling hills of the downs and local farmland.
Please click here for more information on this route. |
| Midhurst Way |  | 19 miles (31 km) | Starting at the striking Arundel Castle, head north through some beautiful Sussex countryside to Midhurst.
The path passes Houghton Forest, Westburton Hill, Bignor, Chingford, Petworth and Lodsworth with fabulous views of the South Downs as you go.
There are several attractions on the route including the splendid Arundel Castle, near the start of the walk. The castle dates from the 11th century and boasts exquisite, stately rooms and magnificent grounds overlooking the River Arun.
The path also passes very near to Petworth House and Petworth Park which holds the 'National Trust's finest art collection displayed in a magnificent 17th century mansion within a beautiful 700-acre park'.
The walk also offers fine views of the Rivers Rother and Arundel while also passing the ruins of the fascinating Cowdray House near Midhurst.
This route is quite accessible beginning at Arundel train station while finishing at the bus station at Midhurst. |
| New Lipchis Way |  | 37 miles (60 km) | This is an exceptionally lovely walking trail that runs from Liphook, in Hampshire, to East Head at the entrance to Chichester Harbour. The path takes you through some of the loveliest parts of West Sussex including greensand ridges,
Wealden river valleys, heathlands, high chalk downland and then finally the coastal plain at Chichester.
The first section of the walk runs from Liphook to Midhurst, passing through Woolbeding Common before a waterside section along the River Rother takes you to Midhurst.
From Midhurst you continue south through countryside and woodland to Singleton where you will find the fascinating Weald & Downland Open Air Museum. The museum covers 50 acres, with around 50 historic buildings dating from the thirteenth to nineteenth centuries, along with gardens, farm animals, walks and a lake.
The next section then takes you to Chichester, and includes a climb to the top of St Roche's hill where you can enjoy splendid views of the South Downs. Soon after you join a short easy section along a dismantled railway line through Lavant and onto the beautiful cathedral city of Chichester.
The final section then takes you along the Chichester Ship Canal and the Chichester Channel to West Wittering with splendid views of Chichester Harbour as you go. |
| Royal Military Canal Path |  | 27 miles (43 km) | This walking route runs from Pett Level to Seabrook along the Royal Military Canal. Constructed in the early 19th century as a defence against a possible invasion by Napoleon, the canal-side path now makes for a nice easy walk.
The route starts off on the coast at Pett Level and heads inland towards Winchelsea and then onto Rye. The path then heads to Hythe via Appledore before finishing at Seabrook just outside Hythe. |
| Saxon Shore Way |  | 160 miles (257 km) | Explore Kent's ancient coastline as you visit Iron Age hill forts, cathedrals, Martello towers, historic ports and castles on this incredible 160 mile walk. |
| Sussex Ouse Valley Way |  | 42 miles (68 km) | This splendid waterside walk follows the River Ouse from its source near Lower Beeding to the coast at Seaford Bay.
The walk starts near Horsham at the village of Lower Beeding and passes through Slaugham, Handcross, Staplefield, Lindfield, Freshfield, Sheffield Park, Newick, Barcombe Mills, Hamsey, Lewes, Rodmell, Southease, Piddinghoe and Newhaven before finishing at Seaford Bay.
Walk highlights include the beautiful Nymans Garden at Handcross. Owned by the National Trust it includes the ruins of a Gothic Mansion surrounded by delightful gardens, a lake and woodland.
The walk also passes Sheffield Park Station which now plays host to a shop, model railway, museum and the Bessemer Arms pub. Located at Fletching on the banks of the Ouse it is a must see for railway enthusiasts
For wildlife lovers the delightful Offham Marshes Site of Special Scientific Interest will be a major attraction. Its biological interest comes from its habitat of alluvial marshland, which supports large numbers of amphibians.
The walk also passes near the interesting county town of Lewes, while the final section along the seafront at Seaford is also particularly lovely.
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| Vanguard Way |  | 66 miles (106 km) | This trail runs from the outskirts of London, through Ashdown Forest, Alfriston and Cuckmere Valley to the stunning East Sussex coast.
Route highlights include the lovely Ashdown Forest, the White Horse near Alfriston and the wonderful final coastal stretch that gives views of the Seven Sisters Cliffs and Tidemills beach. The path also passes through the beautiful Cuckmere Valley with splendid views of the Cuckmere River to enjoy.
Please click here for more information. |
| West Sussex Literary Trail |  | 55 miles (89 km) | This walk runs from Horsham to Chichester with many literary connections along the way. The walk begins at Horsham, near Percy Bysshe Shelley's millennium fountain, and heads through the South Downs to Chichester with its connections to William Blake and John Keats.
You will pass through a series of interesting and picturesque towns and villages including Sinfield, Storrington, Amberley and Duncton before finishing near the iconic cathedral in Chichester.
There are many fascinating landmarks and points of interest on the way but of particular note are some of the musuems on the route. First on the path is the Amberley Museum & Heritage Centre. Set in a 36 acre site it details the industrial heritage of the South East with a a narrow-gauge railway and nostalgic bus service to experience.
Also on the route is the delightful Parham House and Gardens. Located near Storrington, this Elizabethan House boasts a Great Hall and Long Gallery while the Gardens consist of seven acres of Pleasure Grounds.
Finally, there is the fascinating Weald and Downland Open Air Museum near Chichester. The museum boasts '45 historic houses and agricultural buildings dating from the 13th century to victorian times rebuilt in a magnificent parkland setting'.
Other walk highlights include waterside stretches along the River Arun and around Burton Mill Pond and several wooded sections at various points along the walk.
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| Wey South Path |  | 36 miles (58 km) | Follow the Wey River and the Wey and Arun Canal on this wonderful waterside walk through Surrey and Sussex. The route starts off in Guildford and heads south to Rowly and then onto Billinghurst with a section through Sidney Wood on the way. The walk continues towards Pulborough before passing through the delightful Amberley Wild Brooks wetland with its variety of interesting wildlife. The route then comes to an end near Amberley in Sussex.
Much of the walk follows canal side towpaths with footpaths and minor roads making up the remaining sections.
Please click here for more information |
| Worth Way |  | 7 miles (11 km) | This 7 mail long bridleway and footpath runs along NCN route 21 from Crawley to East Grinstead via the village of Crawley Down. The tree lined path follows the trackbed of a disused railway line making for a nice flat easy walk or cycle ride. The path and surrounding area are also blessed with a variety of wildlife - look out for Roe Deer, foxes and Kingfishers. |
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| Sussex Walking Links |
| Name | Description |
| Arundel Castle | Information on this splendid attraction in West Sussex |
| High Weald AONB | Lovely site with walking and cycling routes information |
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Photos provided by Panoramio. Photos are under the copyright of their owners.