Mountain Biking on the South Downs. Peter Edwards

      Looking back to Butser Hill

      8 Continue into the QECP car park and pass around to the of the visitor centre and café to continue along the road past parking and picnicking areas. Follow the road as it bends left, climbing gradually. Where the road harpins left, keep on a broad gravel track, passing around a forestry gate. Continue climbing gradually for 1.5km. The track then descends, steadily at first then more steeply, as it swings E and drops through the Kiln Lane car park. Exit the car park and continue over Kiln Lane and onto a minor road.

      9 Continue along the winding narrow road with a little up and down, then climb through woods, continuing () at a as the road emerges from the forest and descends a little towards Sunwood Farm. Pass the farm and, shortly after the road bends left, turn sharp onto a broad bridleway track and climb steeply up to Hundred Acres. Continue along a broad track for the next 2km or so, losing and gaining a little height and passing over a onto Forty Acre Lane before arriving at the B2146. Cross the road to continue along bridleway, climbing steeply through woods to arrive at the B2141. Cross the road to rejoin the bridleway and climb steadily to Harting Downs.

      10 Continue along the ridge before descending steeply along a chalk track to a gate. Go through and descend a little further to a . Turn with the SDW and climb steeply around the W flank of Beacon Hill. At a turn along the E flank of Beacon Hill, then descend to a and continue to climb steeply up and over Pen Hill. Descend to the edge of woods, bear then keep over a to continue on the SDW. At the next (near Buriton Farm) dogleg then and soon begin climbing, steadily at first, becoming steeper, on chalk track. Keep at a fork shortly before the gradient eases then levels. At the next turn and climb gently around the flank of Treyford Hill. As the SDW bends E, continue along the ridge, over Didling Hill and Linch Ball before descending steeply over Cocking Down on chalk track that gives way to farm road. Pass some livestock sheds before arriving at the A286.

      A The nearest train station is Chichester, 14km to the south. By bike, the best option is to ride along the A286 for 6km before joining the Centurion Way cycle route just south of West Dean for the remaining 8km.

ROUTE 2

      South Downs Way: Day Two – Cocking to Ditchling Beacon

      Overview

      This stage starts with a stiff climb up Manorfarm Down and then takes in five sections of the main South Downs ridge, which are variously intersected by the A285, the Arun Valley, the A24, the Adur Valley and the A23, before the final long, gradual climb to Ditchling Beacon. From the top of Manorfarm Down, the South Downs Way (SDW) traverses the ridge to Crown Tegleaze before descending precipitously to cross the A285, then climbing up and along the ridge to Bignor Hill and descending to the Arun Valley. After crossing the Arun, there is a long on-road then off-road climb to the summit of Amberley Mount; between Amberley Mount and Barnsfarm Hill, the SDW glides along the ridge on excellent tracks with a few minor ups and downs before the long descent to the A24. The very long, very tough climb from the A24 to Chanctonbury Ring is followed by a welcome coast along the ridge and then the descent to the Adur Valley. The long off-road, then on-road climb from the Adur to Truleigh Hill precedes a real rollercoaster ride along excellent chalk tracks taking in Edburton Hill, Perching Hill, Fulking Hill, Devil’s Dyke and West Hill before dropping down to cross the A23 and beginning the stage’s final climb to Ditchling Beacon. There are great views south and east across the Downs to the Channel coast and north across the Weald to the North Downs. The route follows a combination of well-maintained bridleways and byways and minor roads and conditions are generally excellent, although some tracks – especially those across the valleys and declivities – can get a bit churned up in wet weather. There are many pubs, several cafés and a few water points at intervals along the route (see map). Many sections of the SDW are popular with mountain bikers, walkers, horse riders