Long distance footpaths and bridleways

For the ambitious walker, rider or mountain biker, West Sussex offers a terrific selection of long distance walking options.

Some of the routes shown, like the Monarch's Way are hilly and offer pretty tough walking. There are flatter routes as well though, like the Downs Link.

Several of the long distance paths have a real sense of history.

Maybe its because of the ancient rivers, railways and canals they follow. or maybe, like the South Downs Way itself, it's because they provide a link back to literally thousands of years of Sussex history and a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.

The Downs Link

The Downs Link is a relatively flat long distance path which links the South Downs Way in West Sussex to the North Downs Way in Surrey.

In Sussex, the Downs Link Path starts at the sleepy old river crossing village of Botolphs and passes northwards through Bramber and Henfield before following the old Horsham to Cranleigh railway line for much of its path through the northern part of West Sussex.

The route then heads off to join the North Downs Way near Guildford in Surrey.

More about the Down's Link in Sussex

The Monarch's Way

The Monarch's Way is a truly historic route. It traces the path taken by the future King Charles II as he fled from his defeat at the Battle of Worcester in the English Civil War.

In Sussex the Monarch's Way traces the top of the Downs around Kingley Vale and Goodwood, before crossing the River Arun at Houghton Bridge and climbing back to the top of Downs above Storrington.

Eventually Prince Charles made his way to the harbour at Shoreham-by-Sea and safe passage to France.

Read more about the Monarch's Way in West Sussex and Charles' flight.

The South Downs Way

The South Downs Way is the most famous footpath in Sussex, stretching for 100 miles from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex.

The Way is a highly evocative route, mostly following the ridge of the scarp slope of the South Downs. This means that, for much of its path, the South Downs Way offers walkers fantastic views of the Sussex Weald, looking northwards towards Surrey.

At times, as the South Downs Way approaches the coast, the panorama of the Sussex coast can be breathtaking too.

Good public transport access points to the South Downs Way are Petersfield, Amberley and Shoreham by rail. And Harting Down, Cocking, Duncton, Findon, Devil's Dyke and Ditchling Beacon by bus.

You can read a step by step guide to the South Downs Way in West Sussex here.

High Weald Landscape Trail

Most of the High Weald Landscape Trail lies in East Sussex, but there are good sections of it in West Sussex too.

The High Weald Landscape Trail starts at Horsham and runs a full 90 miles to the Cinque Port of Rye. The first sections runs through St Leonard's Forest to Handcross and south to Cuckfield.

From lovely Cuckfield the Trail swings north to East Grinstead before heading east through the northern part of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Sussex Border Path

The Sussex Border Path goes all the way from Thorney Island near Emsworth on the Hampshire Border to Rye in East Sussex. Naturally the path can't hug the border too closely, but it does offer a real mixture of scenery along its 159 miles.

The Wey South Path

A path which tries its best to follow the route of the Wey and Arun Canal from Houghton Bridge, near Amberley right up to Guildford. The Wey South Path is 32 miles long so it's a very long midsummer day's march, but with the advantage that there's a railway station with a direct connection to London at each end.

An early start and a late night to follow though and blisters galore.

Salterns Way

The Salterns Way is a flat cycle route which runs from Chichester to West Wittering beach. You can read more about Salterns Way here.