Time to get serious!

My idea for this page is to create walks of varying length and difficulty. The aim of these walks is not to nanny you like some walking books do, but to give you a plan for a route. Then you can make the walk shorter or longer to suit your experience and fitness. And if you get lost, you'll never be far from civilisation and mobile phones are wonderful things. I hope to create something for everyone but for one simple reason, I haven't gone into detail about what you will see and experience on route. That's for you to discover!

The walks will be based around the south east and Ordnance Survey maps will be required. But don't worry, a use of compass should not be necessary. Unfortunately I shall have to assume you are a car owner as I will not know where you are travelling from.

Know your way around?

For those experienced walkers, have you tried getting lost? Simply start somewhere you are totally unfamiliar with, find a right of way and off you go. When you reach a point you think you should turn back, locate your position on a map and return using a different route. To make it really interesting, don't use the map unless really necessary. If in company, try to stay calm! It's not as easy as you think, especially if you can't find your position.

Have fun!

VIEWS, VIEWS AND MORE VIEWS - WALK 1

Map: Ordnance Survey 122 - Brighton & Hove
Distance: 14 miles approx
Time: Allow 8 hours but it's up to you!
Starting point: Lewes golf club
Refreshments: Pubs and tearooms on route but half the fun is eating squashed sandwiches with a great view
Parking: Lewes

The start (maps at the ready)

Make your way to Chapel Hill which you'll find at the end of Cliffe High Street. Follow the hill to Lewes Golf Club and opposite the clubhouse you will find a stile which is the start. From here not only do you have a great view of Lewes but you can see the route you'll be taking (follow the ridge that leads back to Lewes). Take the path with the River Ouse at your back, it soon drops to your right through Oxteddle Bottom on a lovely path to the village of Glynde. Where the paths cross you can turn right to summit Mount Caburn for more great views, then return to the path and drop down into Glynde.

Glynde

When you reach the road, turn left past the tea room and post office and then immediately right. A short way on the right are public toilets. Following the road, cross the railway bridge, pass the pub then straight ahead until you reach a crossroads. Carry on straight over following the road which then becomes a track leading up to the radio pylons you can see on the horizon. This is a great place to rest and watch the fledgling paragliders taking their first flights. On reaching the top of the ridge you now have the sea at Newhaven to greet you. Where the paths cross turn right here to join the South Downs Way.

South Downs Way

With the radio pylons behind you follow the SDW and enjoy the views towards Lewes on your right or the sea on your left. This path undulates until you reach the road (A26T) at Itford Farm. Turn right here then after a few yards follow the path on the left to cross the railway line. On the other side, follow the track crossing the Ouse into Southease. With the church on your left follow the road uphill until you come to a junction. Turn right here and you will see a waymarker sign over the road on your left. Climb the stile, follow the path down to the track and turn left. Carry on along the track (watch out for cars, they didn't slow down for us) until you reach a turn to the right before the farm. Make sure you take this and climb the hill to Mill HIll otherwise you'll end up in Telscombe.

MIll Hill

On reaching the top keep ahead along the SDW enjoying the vistas over Iford towards Lewes. You now have a few miles before the next turning so enjoy the scenery and just being there. As you near Kingston near Lewes look for two turnings together on the right. Take the left hand one (not the Breach Road Track) and follow it down into Kingston. Here you will find the Juggs pub , just right for a quick pint before the last leg back into Lewes. Refreshed, look for a footpath sign over the road and very slightly to the right which is not very easy to see. Take this which leads across fields to meet Kingston Road. Left here and follow the road which takes you into Lewes and the car. Sanctuary!

Looking back

My companions had a great day out. We were blessed with great weather albeit overcast. A bi-plane entertained us with aerobatics, we witnessed the miracle of birth thanks to obliging sheep, paragliders painted the sky yellows and reds and fellow enthusiasts gave us a cheery hello. All this with great views, excellent company and the smug feeling that you are doing yourself some good, we shall be back soon.

Explore. Discover. Enjoy.

To think about

If you undertake this walk please be aware that it is a reasonable distance but it is littered with places to stop. You will need to be reasonably fit, carry water and food and wear suitable attire.

The usual disclaimer

Sadly due to the way things are I have to say that if you undertake the walk you do so at your own discretion. If you are unable to finish it, get lost or hurt yourself on route, it's not my fault. And if it rains that's not my fault either!

Pictures

I have a few pictures in my gallery under Walk 1 to get some idea of the terrain and the great time you will have.