Your South Downs Way Adventure: A Guide for Hikers and Cyclists

Introduction: The Playground on Our Doorstep

Here at My Getaways, we pride ourselves on offering the finest holiday homes in Brighton and the surrounding Sussex countryside. But let’s be honest – while our properties offer the perfect place to rest your head, the real magic of a Sussex holiday happens outdoors. And there is no greater outdoor attraction within striking distance of our front doors than the South Downs Way (SDW).

Stretching 100 miles from the historic cathedral city of Winchester in Hampshire to the white chalk cliffs of Eastbourne (specifically the Beachy Head), the South Downs Way is a National Trail that needs no introduction. However, most visitors to Brighton see the rolling hills as a backdrop for a photo. We want to help you conquer them.

Whether you are a two-wheeled thrill-seeker or a two-booted rambler, this guide will help you plan the perfect South Downs adventure. We’ll break down the best sections, the hidden pubs, the grueling climbs, and the breathtaking descents, with a specific focus on day trips starting from our two home bases: Brighton and Worthing.

The Great Debate: Hiking vs. Cycling the SDW

Before we look at routes, you need to choose your weapon.

• For Hikers: The South Downs Way is incredibly forgiving. The chalk soil drains well, meaning less mud than northern trails. However, be prepared for the “roller coaster” effect – you will go straight up and straight down repeatedly. Hiking the full 100 miles takes 7–9 days.
• For Cyclists: The SDW is a technical trail. It is not a smooth cycle path. You will encounter loose flint, deep chalk dust in summer, and some damp spots in winter. Mountain bikes or robust gravel bikes are mandatory. Road bikes will break. For cyclists, the full route is a grueling 2-day effort (for the super-fit) or a comfortable 3-4 day tour.

Pro Tip from My Getaways: Leave the heavy gear at our rental properties. We offer secure storage and late check-outs. Do a linear walk, and you can get a taxi back to rest up.

The “Brighton Loop”: Hiking from the City to the Sea

Most tourists think Brighton ends at the pier. It doesn’t. The city climbs vertically up the cliffs to the east. For a spectacular day hike, we recommend the Brighton to Eastbourne stretch (approx 26 miles), but that is too long for a casual day out. Instead, let’s break it down into the Ultimate 12-Mile Day Hike.

Section: Devil’s Dyke to Brighton (via the Undercliff Path)

This route is perfect because it starts high and ends at the sea. Take a bus or taxi from our Brighton city centre rentals up to Devil’s Dyke. This is the most famous viewpoint in Sussex.

• Distance: 12 miles (approx 5 hours moving time)
• Difficulty: Moderate (Easy downhill start, flat middle)
• The Route:
  1. Start at the Devil’s Dyke pub (grab a sausage roll for the road).
  2. Head east along the SDW. You will walk the ridge above Poynings and Saddlescombe Farm (a beautiful National Trust spot).
  3. You’ll pass the Chattri Memorial, a stunning white marble monument to Indian soldiers of WWI.
  4. Descend gently towards Stanmer Park and the outskirts of the University of Sussex.
  5. Instead of ending in the city centre, follow the signs to the Undercliff Path from the Marina, walking the final 3 miles on a flat promenade at the base of the cliffs back to the Pier.
• Why do this? You get the full spectrum of the South Downs: wild heathland, ancient woodland, and the iconic pebble beach.
• Post-Hike Reward: The Basketmakers Arms in North Laine for a pint of Harvey’s.

The Worthing Wonder: Cycling the “Quiet Quarter”

If you are staying in one of our Worthing holiday apartments (especially those overlooking the promenade), you are 10 minutes from the start of the climb. Worthing is the underdog of the South Downs. While Brighton gets the glory, Worthing offers the easiest access to the most rideable section of the Western Downs.

Section: Worthing to Washington (The Circular Gravel Ride)

This is designed for cyclists with a gravel bike or hardtail MTB.

• Distance: 20 miles (approx 2.5 hours riding)
• Climbing: 2,100 ft
• The Route:
  1. From the Worthing pier, cycle west along the seafront to Ferring. Look for the lane that goes up to Highdown Hill (The first brutal climb of the day – short, sharp, and shameful if you have to walk it).
  2. At the top, you’ll find Highdown Gardens and the Highdown Tavern. Do not stop yet.
  3. Follow the SDW eastward. You will have a glorious, flowy ridge run above Goring-by-Sea and Durrington.
  4. The trail dips into the River Arun valley. This is the scenic highlight. You will descend through ancient woodland towards the village of Washington.
  5. Lunch Stop: The Sussex Ox. A legendary gastropub for cyclists. They have bike racks and massive portions of pie.
  6. Return Loop: Instead of riding back up the ridge (same way), take the quiet country lanes through Findon Valley back to Worthing. It’s a gentler return for tired legs.
• Warning: The section around the River Arun can be deeply rutted in winter. Check the weather before you go.

The “Three Peaks” Challenge (For the Fit)

If you are staying with My Getaways for a long weekend and want to boast to your friends back home, you need to do the Three Peaks of Sussex. This is not an official route, but it is the holy trinity of South Downs climbs, accessible from both Brighton and Worthing.

The Peaks:

1. Ditchling Beacon (814 ft) – The highest point in East Sussex. The north face from Ditchling village is a 17% gradient. On a clear day, you can see the Isle of Wight.
2. Firle Beacon (712 ft) – Slightly lower, but exposed and wild. Famous for its “long man” hill figure.
3. Mount Caburn (486 ft) – The smallest, but the steepest final kick. Overlooks the Ouse Valley.

How to link them (Cycling):
Start in Lewes (a 10-minute train from Brighton). Ride north to Ditchling, climb the Beacon. Cross the ridge via Westmeston to the SDW. Ride east to Firle. Descend to the A27 (careful of traffic) and climb up to Caburn via the golf course. Total distance: 28 miles. You will sleep well tonight.

How to link them (Hiking):
This is a 15-mile point-to-point. Start at Ditchling Beacon (get the 79 bus from Brighton). Walk to Southease station (via Rodmell and Monk’s House). From Southease, climb Caburn as a there-and-back detour. Catch the train back to Brighton from Southease. This is the quintessential Sussex day out.

Route Cards: Your Day Trip Cheat Sheet

To make planning easier, here are three specific “out-the-door” itineraries from our rental properties.

Option A: The Brighton Urban Escape

Best for: Hikers staying in holiday homes near the Brighton Lanes / Holiday Homes at Brighton Seafront

• Start Point: Brighton Palace Pier.
• Transport to Start: Bus #77 from the Pier to Devil’s Dyke (seasonal, check timetable).
• The Route: Devil’s Dyke > Poynings > Fulking > Edburton > Truleigh Hill > Shoreham-by-Sea.
• Distance: 11 miles.
• End Point: Shoreham Harbour (Catch the #700 Coastliner bus back to Brighton).
• Highlight: Truleigh Hill YHA. Even if you aren’t staying, the café serves the best flapjack in Sussex.
• Why My Getaways loves this: You can shower in your luxury apartment by 4:00 PM and walk to The Salt Room for oysters.

Option B: The Worthing Ridge Runner

Best for: Gravel cyclists staying in Worthing

• Start Point: My Getaways property on Worthing seafront.
• The Route: Seafront > George V Avenue (steep!) > Steep Down > Coombes > Botolphs > Bramber.
• Distance: 18 miles (Out & Back).
• End Point: Bramber Castle (ruins).
• Highlight: The straight-line descent into Bramber. You can hit 35mph+ if you have the nerve. Look out for the old toll house at the bottom.
• The Pint: The Castle Inn Hotel, Bramber. Right at the foot of the castle.

Option C: The Seven Sisters Showstopper

Best for: Photographers & Day trippers (Start near Brighton, but requires a train)

Look, we can’t write a guide to the South Downs without mentioning the Seven Sisters. However, starting from Brighton to do the Sisters and back is a 22-mile slog. Do this instead:

• Drive/Train to: Eastbourne (30 mins from Brighton).
• The Route: Eastbourne Pier > Beachy Head > Belle Tout Lighthouse > Seven Sisters (Climb the first three “sisters”) > Cuckmere Haven.
• Distance: 7 miles (Short, but the hardest 7 miles of your life).
• Why it’s worth it: You have seen this view on every BBC drama and movie poster. When you stand on the edge of the chalk cliffs looking at the meandering River Cuckmere, you will understand why we live here.
• Logistics: Leave your car at the Seven Sisters Country Park car park. Take the bus into Eastbourne, walk back to your car. No hills to climb at the end of the day.

Practical Planning with My Getaways

At My Getaways, we don’t just give you a key; we give you a strategy. Here is how to align your accommodation with your adventure.

1. The “Gear Dump” Strategy
If you are doing a 2-day linear hike (e.g., Brighton to Eastbourne), don’t carry a 15kg backpack. Book a My Getaways holiday rental in Brighton. Hike to a midway pub (The Ram Inn, Firle) and pre-arranged a taxi back to Brighton. Hike the second half the next day.

2. Bike Security is Non-Negotiable
We know that a gravel bike costs as much as a used car. Some of our properties – whether our chic North Laine flats or our Hove Holiday Homes – come with secure storage. We do not allow bikes in the living rooms (scuffed paintwork!), but some properties have locked sheds and rear courtyards. Talk to our team and ask!

3. The Early Bird Gets the Chalk
The South Downs gets busy. Between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM on a sunny Saturday, the car parks at Ditchling Beacon and Devil’s Dyke are absolute carnage. Pro tip: Start your hike at 7:00 AM. You will have the dew on the grass and the deer all to yourself. You’ll be back at your My Getaways rental in time for a late breakfast on the patio.

4. What to Pack (The Non-Negotiables)

• For Cyclists: Tubeless tires are your best friend (chalk flints are razor sharp). Bring a multi-tool with a chain breaker. The descents rattle bolts loose.
• For Hikers: Do not wear road running shoes. The flint stones will destroy the soles and your arches. Wear stiff-soled boots or trail runners. Bring a windproof layer – the ridge is exposed, and the wind never stops.

The “Emergency” Pub & Café Guide

You will get hungry. You will get thirsty. Here is the My Getaways approved list of refueling stations along the way.

• The Devil’s Dyke Pub (Start): Overpriced, but the views are free. Use the toilet before you start.
• The Ginger Fox (Hassocks): A 10-minute detour off the SDW. Michelin-listed pub. Expensive, but the pork belly is life-changing.
• The Jack & Jill Windmills (Clayton): No pub, but a great photo op. There is a water tap at the base of Jill (the lower windmill).
• The Tottington Manor (Edburton): A country hotel that welcomes muddy boots. Their Sunday roast is legendary. Book ahead.
• The Cuckmere Inn (Seaford): At the end of the Seven Sisters. Cheap pints, massive beer garden overlooking the river. Perfect for tired legs.

Beyond the Day Trip: The Full Transit

If you fall in love with the South Downs Way (and you will), you might want to do the whole 100 miles. As a holiday rental company, we see a lot of “credit card tourers” – people who travel light and stay in B&Bs or rentals.

The 4-Day Itinerary (West to East):

• Day 1: Winchester to Petersfield (25 miles) – The gentlest start.
• Day 2: Petersfield to Washington (25 miles) – Stay in Worthing with My Getaways. We have hot tubs. You will need them.
• Day 3: Washington to Alfriston (23 miles) – The most scenic section (Devil’s Dyke to the Long Man of Wilmington).
• Day 4: Alfriston to Eastbourne (12 miles) – The grand finale. You tackle the Seven Sisters fresh in the morning.

Why stay with us on Day 2?
Because the midpoint of the SDW is a killer. The hills between Amberley and Steyning are relentless. When you roll into Worthing, you don’t want a hostel bunk. You want a private king-sized bed, a washing machine for your kit, and a secure lockup for your bike. That’s where My Getaways comes in.

Conclusion: Your Adventure Starts Here

The South Downs Way is not a wilderness expedition; it is a cultural landscape. It is ancient forts, Bronze Age burial mounds, sheep grazing on thyme-scented turf, and the distant roar of the sea. It is challenging enough to make you feel tough, but accessible enough that you can be back in Brighton for a negroni by sunset.

Whether you are a solo hiker looking for silence, a couple looking for a romantic ridge walk, or a cycling club looking for Strava glory, the South Downs is your arena.

Ready to book your base camp?

Browse the full collection of My Getaways holiday homes in Brighton, Hove and Worthing. Look for the “Hiker & Cyclist Friendly” badge on our listings – it guarantees secure storage, drying racks, and a location within one mile of the South Downs Way access point.

Pack your boots. Pump your tires. The chalk hills are calling.