South Downs

Hiking in South Downs

Photo: Heinz

Our Tour recommendations are based on thousands of activities completed by other people on komoot.

Amidst the hustle and bustle of South East England sprawls the South Downs National Park, a haven of rolling hills, vibrant wildlife and rich cultural heritage. Walks in the South Downs explore majestic white sea cliffs, serene ancient woodland, charming market towns and glorious lowland heaths.

Covering 995 square miles (1600 km), there are near endless possibilities for hikes in the South Downs. Adventure awaits amongst natural splendour. The grassy downlands contain a remarkable array of plants and creatures. Peregrines hunt on the dramatic coastline, whilst the brilliant blue of the Adonis butterfly epitomises the region.

Here is the sort of rural magnificence that inspired the works of author Jane Austen and artist John Constable. Find your own inspiration as you ramble amongst this quintessentially English scenery. The short, soft, springy chalk grassland, so unique to the Downs, is a pleasure to tread. Discover intriguing historic sites and experience breathtaking panoramas along the verdant spine of this wonderful countryside.

Beachy Head View – Beachy Head Lighthouse Loop from Exceat	Difficult	05:59 13.4 mi
Seven Sisters – Tiger Inn Loop from Exceat	Intermediate	04:45 10.8 mi
Seven Sisters Natural Trail – Seven Sisters Loop from East Dean	Intermediate	03:42 8.41 mi
Swanbourne Lake – Arundel Castle Loop from Arundel	Intermediate	04:22 10.1 mi
Beachy Head Lighthouse – Beachy Head View Loop from Bus Parking	Intermediate	02:31 5.58 mi
Beachy Head View – Beachy Head Lighthouse Loop from East Dean	Intermediate	03:34 7.81 mi
Arundel High Street – Arundel Cathedral Loop from Arundel	Intermediate	04:42 10.9 mi
View over Chichester Harbour – Cairn Loop from Fishbourne	Easy	01:47 3.91 mi
Seven Sisters Natural Trail – Seven Sisters Viewing Point Loop from Wealden	Intermediate	02:11 5.10 mi
Cissbury Ring – Chanctonbury Ring Loop from Washington	Difficult	05:15 11.5 mi
Chanctonbury Ring – Cissbury Ring Loop from Washington	Difficult	06:02 13.2 mi
Bignor Hill – Monarch way section Loop from Houghton	Intermediate	02:25 5.44 mi
Birling Gap – Seven Sisters Loop from Birling Gap	Intermediate	02:59 6.83 mi
Monarch way section – Bignor Hill Loop from Amberley	Intermediate	04:09 9.27 mi
Bignor Hill View – Bignor Hill Loop from Houghton	Intermediate	03:19 7.54 mi
Crowlink Path – Tiger Inn Loop from Friston	Difficult	05:08 11.1 mi
Swanbourne Lake – Arundel High Street Loop from Houghton	Intermediate	03:40 8.57 mi
Jack and Jill Windmills – Ditchling Beacon Loop from Clayton	Intermediate	02:53 6.44 mi
Beachy Head View – Beachy Head Lighthouse Loop from Wealden	Intermediate	02:26 5.28 mi
Lewes from Chapel Hill – Mount Caburn Loop from Cliffe	Intermediate	02:06 4.60 mi

Top 20 best walks and hikes in South Downs

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Beachy Head View – Beachy Head Lighthouse Loop from Exceat

Difficult

05:59

13.4 mi

2.2 mph

1,300 ft

Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

View

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Seven Sisters – Tiger Inn Loop from Exceat

Intermediate

04:45

10.8 mi

2.3 mph

850 ft

Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

View

Sign Up To Discover Places Like This
Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Seven Sisters Natural Trail – Seven Sisters Loop from East Dean

Intermediate

03:42

8.41 mi

2.3 mph

700 ft

Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

View

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Swanbourne Lake – Arundel Castle Loop from Arundel

Intermediate

04:22

10.1 mi

2.3 mph

650 ft

Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

View

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Beachy Head Lighthouse – Beachy Head View Loop from Bus Parking

Intermediate

02:31

5.58 mi

2.2 mph

575 ft

Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

View

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Beachy Head View – Beachy Head Lighthouse Loop from East Dean

Intermediate

03:34

7.81 mi

2.2 mph

900 ft

875 ft

Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

View

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Arundel High Street – Arundel Cathedral Loop from Arundel

Intermediate

04:42

10.9 mi

2.3 mph

675 ft

Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

View

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

View over Chichester Harbour – Cairn Loop from Fishbourne

Easy

01:47

3.91 mi

2.2 mph

450 ft

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

View

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Seven Sisters Natural Trail – Seven Sisters Viewing Point Loop from Wealden

Intermediate

02:11

5.10 mi

2.3 mph

275 ft

Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

View

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Cissbury Ring – Chanctonbury Ring Loop from Washington

Difficult

05:15

11.5 mi

2.2 mph

1,250 ft

Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

View

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Chanctonbury Ring – Cissbury Ring Loop from Washington

Difficult

06:02

13.2 mi

2.2 mph

1,575 ft

Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

View

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Bignor Hill – Monarch way section Loop from Houghton

Intermediate

02:25

5.44 mi

2.3 mph

475 ft

Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

View

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Birling Gap – Seven Sisters Loop from Birling Gap

Intermediate

02:59

6.83 mi

2.3 mph

500 ft

Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

View

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Monarch way section – Bignor Hill Loop from Amberley

Intermediate

04:09

9.27 mi

2.2 mph

925 ft

Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

View

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Bignor Hill View – Bignor Hill Loop from Houghton

Intermediate

03:19

7.54 mi

2.3 mph

600 ft

Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

View

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Crowlink Path – Tiger Inn Loop from Friston

Difficult

05:08

11.1 mi

2.2 mph

1,425 ft

Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

View

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Swanbourne Lake – Arundel High Street Loop from Houghton

Intermediate

03:40

8.57 mi

2.3 mph

450 ft

Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

View

Jack and Jill Windmills – Ditchling Beacon Loop from Clayton

Intermediate

02:53

6.44 mi

2.2 mph

625 ft

Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

View

Beachy Head View – Beachy Head Lighthouse Loop from Wealden

Intermediate

02:26

5.28 mi

2.2 mph

650 ft

Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

View

Lewes from Chapel Hill – Mount Caburn Loop from Cliffe

Intermediate

02:06

4.60 mi

2.2 mph

525 ft

Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

View

Discover More Tours around South Downs

Show More Tours

More Information

Exploring the white cliffs of the South Downs coast

Some of the best hiking trails in the South Downs place you amongst the stunning white cliffs of the Seven Sisters. Dover might have the more famous cliffs, but these are certainly the most beautiful. Nearby Beachy Head is the tallest at 531 feet (162 m) and makes for a superb objective.

There are numerous vantage points from which to appreciate these undulating chalk walls. With the sea breeze in your hair and the waves crashing below, walking along the cliff top is an unforgettable experience. It is important to note that you should always stay at least five metres from the edge, as chalk is brittle and landslides are not uncommon.

Diverse landscapes with stunning views

Hikes in the South Downs can last a few hours or even days. The South Downs Way traverses the high escarpment for 100 miles (160 km) from historic Winchester in the west to the coast at Eastbourne, visiting many highlights along the way. However, you may want the freedom to experience this sumptuous region on your own terms. However you choose to explore the national park, there is a wide variety of landscapes at your fingertips.

An adventure on the high spine of the Downs rewards you with sweeping views to the English Channel and the Isle of Wight. The elevated chalk grassland drains and dries quickly, making it an attractive proposition all year round. Meanwhile, ancient yew forests, containing some of the oldest living trees in Britain, offer an equally invigorating experience.

The diversity of the landscape means there are many unique habitats. All of Britain’s native snake species are found here, whilst badgers, weasels, stoats and deer can be spotted by the eagle-eyed hiker.

Seeking historical treasures

Walks in the South Downs allow you to discover sights of great historical interest. From the gothic castles and remnants of the Second World War to the huge 17th century hill figures and Neolithic forts, this is a land of ancient intrigue.