Long Man of Wilmington – Firle Beacon summit loop from Polegate

Mountain biking trails

Long Man of Wilmington – Firle Beacon summit loop from Polegate

Hard

4.8

(23)

221

riders

Long Man of Wilmington – Firle Beacon summit loop from Polegate

06:44

73.6km

1,420m

Mountain biking

Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: July 30, 2026

Tips

Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route

After 252 m for 62 m

After 73.3 km for 62 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

5.65 km

Long Man of Wilmington

Highlight • Monument

At 235 feet (72 m) tall, the Long Man of Wilmington is said to be the largest representation of a human form in Europe. However, despite its size and enduring fame, the mysterious chalk man has baffled historians for centuries, and there is still no explanation of how or when he was created. Some historians say he is from prehistoric times, others say that he was created by a monk between the 11th and 15th centuries.

Tip by

8.83 km

South Downs Way: Alfriston to Lewes

Highlight (Segment) • Natural

This section has recently been resurfaced-there’s a lot of loose fine gravel.

Tip by

13.4 km

Firle Beacon summit

Highlight • Summit

Standing at 712 feet (217 m) tall, Firle Beacon affords extensive views over the South Downs. There are many ancient burial sites on and around the summit, many of which are visible today. According to folklore, a giant who lived on Firle Beacon killed the giant of nearby Wilmington Hill, whose body is marked by the Long Man of Wilmington.

Tip by

20.8 km

Southease Church and Drinking Water Tap

Highlight • Historical Site

Beautiful little church dating back to 11th century, one of three churches in the Ouse Valley to have a round tower.

The bench next to church overlooks the green, and there is a handy water tap which is suitable for drinking.

Tip by

25.2 km

Iford Hill Track

Highlight • Climb

Part of the South Downs Way, Iford Hill is a tough climb that'll reward you with spectacular views over chalk grassland meadows, rural farmland landscapes and to the quaint towns and villages down in the valleys below.

Part paved, part gravel, you'll ideally need a mountain bike, 'cross or gravel bike to tackle this one!

Tip by

26.3 km

View of Lewes and the Ouse Valley

Highlight • Natural Monument

The escarpment here and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The steeply sloping chalk grassland is rich in minibeasts, such as Adonis Blue and Small Blue butterflies, and the nationally rare and specially protected wart-biter cricket. Amongst the diverse plant life are squinancywort and eyebright – both classic medicinal herbs used to treat throat and eye infections respectively. The chalky soils and climate of the South Downs are suitable for growing wine, and a number of vineyards are making the most of conditions that are similar to the Champagne region of France.

Tip by

36.5 km

View Over Plumpton from Streat Hill

Highlight • Trail

This area of the South Downs saw running battles during the Battle of Lewes in 1264, and in more recent history these hills were used by the army as training grounds during WW2. The hard concrete surface descending the scarp slope at Plumpton Bostall was laid at this time as a tank trap.
This ridge with views across the Weald towards the High Weald and beyond that the North Downs is part of the Clayton to Offham Escarpment. This is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its woodland and chalk grassland. Here you can find many types or orchid including burnt tip orchids, fragrant orchids and frog orchids.

Tip by

41.6 km

Bunkershill Plantation

Forest

64.6 km

Alfriston Village

Highlight • Settlement

Alfriston is a village community surrounded by the Wealden South Downs. We sit near the eastern end of the South Downs Way where this national path splits three ways, going east, west and south, from the very centre of our historic village.

Around the village, visitors can enjoy the famous St Andrew's church (the "Cathedral of the South Downs"), the clergy house (the National Trust's first property) and our wide range of galleries, cafés, pubs and shops.

Tip by

73.6 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

57.8 km

6.35 km

4.02 km

3.91 km

645 m

588 m

271 m

Surfaces

47.3 km

10.7 km

6.87 km

4.24 km

4.22 km

221 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (210 m)

Lowest point (0 m)

Weather

Thursday 10 September

22°C

14°C

42 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

July 8, 2024,Clearing Up After The Masochists🤪 (South Downs 💯 Course Clearing)

Nothing like a torential rain shower 10 mins into one's ride to set you up for a marathon morning in the saddle...🌧️😓😅

October 18, 2022,South Downs way - Day 2 - to Eastbourne, start missing

Actually picked up the SDW near Upper Bedding to start but for some reason hasn't come out on the tour, so need to add a few kms on and some vertical if your considering it. I found this a very hard ride with relentless climbing, but ultimately very rewarding when eastbourne comes into view

October 1, 2025,SDW dash Day 2

Where did the sun go? When i stopped at Pyecombe to refuel at 10:00 the sun was out and it was so warm I was in shorts and shirt 😲 On October 1st! But by the time I had climbed up to the Downs the cloud had rolled in and there were constant dollops of rain drops, until Alfriston, but …