Cycling the South Downs Way

Cycling is an excellent way to enjoy the South Downs National Park, with its vast array of wildlife and scenery from rolling hills to sea views and woodlands. 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.

There are a few guidelines that people should do their very best to follow when cycling the South Downs Way, and those are –

• Only ride on bridleways & byways
• Respect other users such as walkers, horse riders and others cycling the South Downs Way. Make sure you let them know you’re approaching and pass with care.
• Try to cycle in smaller groups of 3 to 4 to minimise disruption to others – especially when using country lanes.
• Try to avoid lumps and bumps off the trail as they are most likely historic sites or ancient burial mounds.
• Remember to leave gates as you find them, protect local plants and wildlife and take any litter home.
• Keep yourself safe with a well-maintained bike. We have listed some repair shops along the route just in case they are required.

What to Bring

Accidents can, and often, happen to cyclists due to the sometimes rutted or slippery nature of some of the paths and the speed of travel. The reason we include a small first aid kit is so that should you fall off your bike whilst cycling the South Downs Way, you’re able to quickly treat a minor injury and carry on your way. A mobile phone is another important addition, especially if you’re on your own and find yourself needing help. There are areas where it’s difficult to get a signal, so we also recommend letting someone know where you’ll be and roughly what time you’re expected at your endpoint.

The South Downs is a beautiful place to be and as tempting, as it is to whiz around on your bike, we do recommend stopping often and simply enjoying the views! The Seven Sisters is particularly enjoyable with its chalky cliffs, as are some of the views from the downs near Amberley or Cocking. You’ll find some beautiful little villages on the way with plenty of history to enjoy, so make the most of it!

Hiring bikes & Repair Shops

For cycling along The South Downs Way, it is recommendable to take a mountain bike, to easily navigate bumps or uneven paths. For those looking to hire a bike, there are a few places in Winchester which you can hire from. Bespoke Biking has a good selection of bikes for hire and even offer to collect them from Eastbourne for a surcharge.

Repair Shops

99 Bikes – Winchester – 01962 840707
Peter Hansford Cycles – Winchester – 01962 877555
Owens Cycles – Petersfield – 01730 260446
South Downs Bikes – Storrington – 01903 745534
Giant – Shoreham – 01273 463579
M’s Cycles – Shoreham – 01273 567591
Freedom Bikes – Brighton – 01273 681698
Cycle Shack – Lewes – 01273 479688
Evolution Cycles – Eastbourne – 01323 737320
The Tri Store – Eastbourne – 01323 417071
MB Cyclery – Haslemere – 01428 648424

Route Sections

When cycling the South Downs Way, the typical duration can range from 2-5 days depending on how often you cycle. For those with a high level of fitness, 2-3 days will be ideal for anyone who is short on time. For those wanting to explore the area of the South Downs Way, you can choose to cycle slightly less miles in a day and take your time to visit the beautiful countryside around you. You may also want to take days off so you can plan accordingly to length the route to your needs.

Below are some suggested itineraries in 2, 3 and 4 days, but you can alter these routes to suit you.