Blackcap Summit and Trig Point – Ditchling Beacon loop from Hamsey

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Blackcap Summit and Trig Point – Ditchling Beacon loop from Hamsey

Hard

4.8

(8)

hikers

Blackcap Summit and Trig Point – Ditchling Beacon loop from Hamsey

05:21

19.3km

340m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: September 16, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

South Downs National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

3.13 km

Blackcap Summit and Trig Point

Highlight • Viewpoint

Blackcap is a National Trust owned area of countryside on the peak of the South Downs, just south east of the village of Plumpton in East Sussex, England. It is …

Tip by

3.58 km

Blackcap

Highlight (Segment) • Natural Monument

From this viewpoint on the South Downs Way ridge, you can enjoy soaring views across the National Park all the way to New Haven.

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7.52 km

Ditchling Beacon

Highlight • Natural Monument

From the summit of Ditchling Beacon, you're afforded a wonderful panoramic view. Standing at 814 feet (248 m) above sea level, it is the highest point along the Sussex Downs. …

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7.96 km

View of the Weald from Ditchling Beacon Nature Reserve

Highlight • Natural Monument

Ditchling Beacon Nature Reserve is owned by the National Trust but managed by the Wildlife Trust. It's an important area of chalk downland with rare species of plant and insect. …

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8.90 km

Dew Pond with Lone Tree

Highlight • Structure

Before it was possible to channel a water supply to farmland, dew ponds were dug as a way to collect rain water for the animals. Sometimes known as mist ponds …

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9.55 km

Keymer Post Viewpoint

Highlight • Summit

Ex Commonwealth March 100K

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15.5 km

Bronze Age Burial Mounds at Blackcap

Highlight • Historical Site

One of the area's Bronze Age burial mounds, up to 4,000 years old

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17.1 km

Lewes Beacon on Mount Harry

Highlight • Historical Site

The locally well-known Lewes Beacon stands on top of Mount Harry and commands beautiful views over the town and surrounding countryside.

Historically, the beacon was used as a signal point …

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19.3 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

11.6 km

7.69 km

< 100 m

Surfaces

10.8 km

6.08 km