Take your time and savour every viewpoint along England's chalk ridge
The classic way to walk the South Downs Way. Eight days at explorer pace gives you time to linger at viewpoints, visit pubs, and absorb the landscape without racing the clock. Averaging around 20 km per day with roughly 8 hours of walking, this itinerary suits anyone who wants to enjoy the trail rather than just complete it.
8
Days
162 km
100.6 mi
3,099m
Total ascent
64h 15m
Walking time
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Leave Winchester Cathedral and climb onto the chalk downs through open farmland. Cross Cheesefoot Head, where Eisenhower addressed troops before D-Day, and drop into the Meon Valley.
Climb Old Winchester Hill with its Iron Age ramparts and wide views, then summit Butser Hill at 240 m — the highest point on the entire South Downs Way. Descend through Queen Elizabeth Country Park to the village of Buriton.
Pass through South Harting beneath the green copper spire and continue along the ridge past the Devil's Jumps Bronze Age barrows. Reach Cocking before climbing to the airy heights of Graffham Down.
Descend to the River Arun at Amberley, a picture-postcard village with thatched cottages and a working museum. Cross the water meadows and climb steadily to Chantry Hill, scanning the sky for red kites.
A shorter day through Washington and past Chanctonbury Ring, the atmospheric hilltop crowned with beech trees. Watch for hang-gliders at Steyning Bowl before crossing the River Adur and climbing to Truleigh Hill.
Pass Devil's Dyke, the longest dry valley in the UK, and cross above the busy A23 at Pyecombe. Climb Ditchling Beacon at 248 m, the highest point in East Sussex, with views stretching to the coast.
Follow the ridge above Lewes and cross the Greenwich Meridian. Pass through Southease and along the Cuckmere River to the medieval village of Alfriston with its timber-framed inns and 14th-century church.
The grand finale. Climb through Friston Forest, cross the rolling Seven Sisters chalk cliffs, pass Belle Tout lighthouse and reach Beachy Head — Britain's tallest chalk sea cliff. Descend into Eastbourne to finish.