Routes are graded easy, medium, hard.
All sections and routes come with marked up Ordnance Survey mapping and clear text descriptions.
Riding the South Downs Way
1: The South Downs Way Day 1: Winchester to Cocking
Distance 56.5km. Grade Hard
Day 1 of the South Downs Way off road epic.
2: The South Downs Way Day 2: Cocking to Ditchling Beacon
Distance 55.5km. Grade Hard
Day 2 of the South Downs Way off road epic.
3: The South Downs Way Day 3: Ditchling Beacon to Eastbourne
Distance 44km. Grade Hard
Day 3 of the South Downs Way off road epic.
Routes around Winchester
Route 4: New Alresford – Warnford Circuit
Distance 29km. Grade Medium
One of the least hilly rides in the book, taking in a swathe of gently rolling Downland east of Winchester.
Route 5: Winchester – Gander Down Circuit
Distance 30.5km. Grade Hard
This route takes to the gentle gradients of Downland immediately east of Winchester. Good views south to the Solent and Isle of Wight.
Route 6: Winchester to Petersfield (and return variants)
Distance 52km. Grade Hard/Very Hard
Includes a number of tough climbs and exciting descents
Routes around Chichester and Petersfield
Route 7: Westdean Woods and Cocking Down
Distance 21.5km or 26.5km. Grade Hard
Well maintained bridleways and byways with some short road sections. Good selection of climbs and descents.
Route 8: Heyshott Down and Charlton Forest
Distance 18km. Grade Hard
Tough climbs, several excellent descents, plenty of forest trails and a downland village or two.
Route 9: Petersfield – Beacon Hill Circuit
Distance 38.5km. Grade Hard
This route takes in a sizeable loop around the Downs south of Petersfield. The route has a fair amount of road sections with most being on quiet country lanes.
Route 10: Chichester – Charlton Forest Circuit
Distance 42km. Grade Hard
Lots of climbs and descents and a sublime section along the Downland ridge.
Route 11: Petersfield – Singleton Forest Circuit
Distance 54.5km. Grade Very Hard
A long and tough circular route, includes one of the finest stretches of the South Downs Way.
Routes around Arundel and Worthing
Route 12: Amberley and Houghton Forest
Distance 15km. Grade Medium
A fairly short route centred around Houghton Forest to the north west of Arundel
Route 13: Worthing – Chanctonbury Ring Circuit
Distance 25km. Grade Medium
This route goes through beautiful countryside and there are fine views across the Downs, Low Weald and the Channel coast. It also takes in the the Iron Age hill forts of Cissbury Ring and Chanctonbury Ring, as well as fine Downland ridges, combes and woodland.
Route 14: Worthing – Springhead Hill Circuit
Distance 41km. Grade Hard
Great views riding through lovely countryside. Three tough climbs ensure you will work for your rewards.
Route 15: Arundel – Graffham Down Circuit (and Amberley variant)
Distance 47.5 or 36km. Grade Very Hard
This route weaves its way around the Downs to the north west of Arundel. Much of the trials pass through woodland hangers and forestry plantations.
Route 16: Lancing – Amberley Mount Circuit
Distance 50.5km. Grade Very Hard
Lots of ups and downs on this route which starts at Shoreham. Great views in a wonderful setting.
Routes around Brighton and Lewes
Route 17: Castle Hill Circuit
Distance 16.5km. Grade Medium
This superlative, short, sharp circuit is centred on Castle Hill on the Downs to the east if Brighton.
Route 18: Brighton – Lewes Circuit
Distance 29.5. Grade hard
A challenging and varied ride that takes in Downland ridges and woodland tracks.
Route 19: Brighton – Truleigh Hill Circuit
Distance 29.5km. Grade Hard
A fairly gentle start leads to a rollercoaster of a ride. Tough climbs and fast descents.
Route 20: Devil’s Dyke – Blackcap Circuit
Distance 44km. Grade Hard
A grand loop centred on Brighton, swinging around Devil’s Dyke and Blackcap.
Route 21: Brighton to Eastbourne
Distance 42.5km. Grade Hard
A fairly tough but glorious ride on varied terrain, including woodland tracks and Downland ridges with very little on road riding.
Route 22: Brighton – Ouse Valley Circuit
Distance 43km. Grade Hard
A challenging but hugely rewarding ride, taking in a variety of terrain.
Routes around Eastbourne
Route 23: Friston Forest Circuit
Distance 22km or 14.5km. Grade Medium
Hours of improvised fun can be had in Friston Forest, but this route is more of a circuit around the forest – a short, sweet woodland ride with fine views .
Route 24: Seaford – Firle Beacon Circuit
Distance 28.5km. Grade Medium
This is one of the easier routes in the book, and makes for a really enjoyable ride that covers a lot of distance fairly rapidly.
Route 25: Eastbourne – Cuckmere Valley Circuit
Distance 35km. Grade Hard
Chalk ridges, woodland tracks and Downland villages. Four big climbs and descents.
Route 26: Eastbourne – Firle Beacon Circuit
Distance 46km. Grade Very Hard
With seven major climbs this is a tough but varied route taking in Downland ridges, woodland tracks and picturesque villages.