The South Downs Way is 100 miles long running from Winchester to Eastbourne and takes anywhere from
2 to 4 days
for most cyclists, although we know that some of the fitter riders have done it in a day! We recommend using a mountain bike to cycle the South Downs Way due to the terrain.
Can you cycle the South Downs Way in a day?
It can be ridden on a mountain bike along its entire length running between Winchester, the Saxon capital of England, and the white cliffs of Eastbourne. With a total of 3,800 metres, or 12,600ft of ascent, it normally takes 2–4 days to ride, but
can be done in a day if you are extremely fit and enjoy a challenge
.
Can you cycle the South Downs Way on a road bike?
The SDW isn’t suitable for a road bike or a hybrid
. We recommend (and hire out) hardtail mountain bikes. The big, grippy tyres and front suspension make them comfortable to ride and get you easily over most bumps and ruts.
Can you cycle on the South Downs?
The South Downs has something for every kind of cyclist to enjoy and explore
. As well as the famous South Downs Way to explore there are 1,200 km of car-free bridleways across the National Park, miles of leafy country lanes and old railway trails including the Downs Link, Meon Valley Trail and Centurion Way.
How long does it take to cycle the shipwrights way?
It traces the route taken by timber felled in Alice Holt Forest and hauled over the South Downs to Portsmouth’s dockyard to build the Tudor navy. Its length was just right:
50 miles for 50 years
.
How long is the shipwrights way?
The Shipwrights Way is a
50-mile
long distance path for walkers, cyclists and horse-riders, linking the towns and villages of East Hampshire to the beautiful countryside on their doorstep.
Can you cycle on a national trail?
The Great North Trail, which runs for 800 miles, has been created to answer a demand from cyclists for greater access to the countryside on routes largely away from traffic.
Around 98 per cent of the Great North Trail is on bridleways, byways, cycle routes, unpaved roads and very low traffic minor roads
.
How do you walk the South Downs Way?
The 100-mile long walk is usually tackled over 6-10 days, depending on how far you want to walk each day
. Completing in 6 days, will require you to walk 16.7 miles a day, whereas completing in 10 days will require you to walk 10 miles a day. Most people typically take 8 or 9 days to complete the walk.
Where does the South Downs Way start?
The South Downs way is situated in Hampshire’s second National Park the South Downs.
The route begins in Winchester
and stretches 100 miles to Eastbourne. Along the route are unspoilt views of countryside, small hamlet villages and the English channel.
Is the South Downs Way a bridleway?
The 106 miles of the South Downs Way runs from Eastbourne to Winchester.
It follows an exhilarating bridleway route
along the rolling chalk downs of Sussex and Hampshire. The route follows prehistoric droveways that have been in use for some 5,000 years, and numerous Bronze Age round barrows decorate the trail.
Where is the North Downs Way?
The North Downs Way National Trail follows the chalk scarp of the North Downs for 153 miles from
Farnham in Surrey to Canterbury in Kent
.
Can you cycle the shipwrights way?
The route is open to walkers and cyclists
and, where possible, horse-riders and people with disabilities. As much as possible, the route is off-road, using rights of way and permissive paths.
Can I walk on a cycle route?
These paths can be used by pedestrians, cyclists, joggers and dog walkers
. There are no lanes marked on the path and nobody has the right of way, so all users are equally responsible for their actions. As a cyclist it’s important that you keep your speed down and watch out for others.
What happens if we do cycling everyday?
Regular cycling
stimulates and improves your heart, lungs and circulation, reducing your risk of cardiovascular diseases
. Cycling strengthens your heart muscles, lowers resting pulse and reduces blood fat levels.
Can you cycle the Ridgeway?
The Ridgeway National Trail follows an ancient route that runs for 87 miles through the Chilterns and the North Wessex Downs.
Currently only the western half is open to cyclists, but change is in the pipeline
, as Cycling UK’s off-road campaigns officer Sophie Gordon explains.
Can you wild camp on the South Downs Way?
Generally speaking,
wild camping is not recommended on the South Downs Way
. Unlike their Scottish neighbor to the north, England generally prohibits any form of wild camping on private land without permission of the land owner.
Where should I stay in South Downs walk?
YHA Truleigh Hill, near Upper Beeding
– on the South Downs Way itself, and a few miles on from Upper Beeding. YHA South Downs – at Itford Farm, close to Southease railway station and right next to the South Downs Way. YHA Eastbourne – not far from the end.
What is the best part of the South Downs Way?
- Butser Hill, Hampshire. At 271 metres high, Butser Hill is guaranteed to give you spectacular views. …
- Ditchling Beacon, East Sussex. …
- Seven Sisters Country Park, East Sussex. …
- Black Down, West Sussex.
