A 10 mile linear walk from Halnaker crossroads to Chichester rail station in West Sussex, forming the 26th and final stretch of the Sussex Hospices Trail. This stretch of the trail is packed with interest, leading you through Halnaker Park (with a very long magnificent stretch of flint wall and mansion ruins), past Goodwood Racecourse, over St Roche’s Hill, along the Centurion Way and finally visiting Chichester Cathedral. From the summit of St Roche’s Hill you will be rewarded with some of the best views of the whole trail, a panoramic vista taking in Chichester Harbour, Chichester Cathedral and a long stretch of the coast to the south, as well as the South Downs to the north.
Difficulty
The walk includes several climbs and descents throughout, including one fairly steep climb onto St Roche’s Hill. The tracks are generally well made, but can be rutted, uneven and muddy in parts so good boots are a must. The vast majority of the route is livestock-free, but you will cross two fields that are likely to be holding sheep and there were also the tell-tale signs of cattle having been present in a couple of fields, so take particular care with dogs. You will need to negotiate several kissing gates and bridle gates, but there are no stiles on route. There are a couple of road crossings that need care, but there is no road walking and well-behaved dogs will enjoy plenty of time off-lead. As the route passes Goodwood Racecourse, you might want to avoid race days (and the traffic and crowds that come with that). Allow 5 hours.
A 10 mile linear walk from Amberley to Halnaker, forming the 25th stretch of the Sussex Hospices Trail. This stretch begins along the South Downs Way, crossing the pretty River Arun, before quickly joining the Monarch’s Way which leads you gently uphill through the beautiful Houghton Forest to reach Bignor Hill. From this point, mid-way along your walk, you will be rewarded with outstanding views down to the south coast. The journey continues by following the line of an old Roman road, Stane Street, which today leads you through pastures, woodland, a vineyard and scrub to reach the tiny village of Halnaker.
Difficulty
The route has no steep sections, but there is a very long and steady climb for the first half and the equivalent descent for the second half. The paths are almost all unmade and can get very muddy at times. Whilst most of the paths are well-walked, towards the end some of the paths are very narrow and are prone to becoming overgrown in late summer, so wear long trousers and carry a stick at this time of year. There are a couple of 200m stretches along the edges of roads so take care of traffic at these points. You will need to negotiate several gates, kissing gates, bridges and 8 stiles (6 of which have large gaps alongside, but 2 of which have only medium-size gaps so larger dogs may need a lift over). You will be sharing some of the fields with sheep and two fields may be holding cattle so take care with dogs. Allow 5 hours.
A 6.5 mile linear walk from Pulborough rail station to Amberley rail station forming Part 24 of the Sussex Hospices Trail. This is a fascinating walk of contrasting landscapes such as wooded heathland, managed wetlands along the Arun, the picture box village of Amberley and the chalk scarp slope of the Downs. The return leg can be completed with a single 6 minute train journey.
Difficulty
This stretch of the route has several climbs and descents throughout, including one steep climb up to the South Downs ridge. Several of the paths follow the River Arun and cross its flood plain so it can be very muddy at times (and may be impassable with floodwater in wet winters or after periods of heavy rain). In summer, some of the narrow paths can be a bit overgrown. You will need to negotiate several kissing gates and a few stiles. You will be sharing a few of the fields with cattle and at least one field with sheep so take particular care with dogs. Allow 3.5 hours.
A 9 mile linear walk from Billingshurst rail station to Pulborough rail station, forming the 23rd stretch of the Sussex Hospices Trail. This is a particularly beautiful stretch of the trail, offering a peaceful riverside setting for much of the journey with plenty of wildlife and history to enjoy along the way. Once you have escaped the hum of Billingshurst, most of your journey is in the company of the River Arun and the disused Wey and Arun Canal. Discover some of the canal’s old structures, including Lordings Lock and Waterwheel, and relax in the tranquil setting of the waterway now reclaimed by nature. The return journey can be completed with a single 6 minute train journey.
Difficulty
The walking route from Billingshurst to Pulborough is relatively flat with just a few gentle slopes along the way. Some sections of path are quite narrow (and are prone to become a bit overgrown in the late summer) and some of the riverside paths and woodland bridleways can get very muddy at times. You will need to negotiate several gates, kissing gates, footbridges, steps and 12 stiles (all of which have purpose-built dog gates or open fencing alongside, meaning most dogs will pass through easily). There is limited road walking and most of the paths are enclosed from fields and roads so well-behaved dogs can enjoy plenty of off-lead time. You will need to cross two fields that may be holding sheep and two fields that may be holding cattle (the cattle seemed very relaxed when we passed by with our dog, but be careful with dogs all the same). Allow 4.5 hours.
A 10 mile linear walk from Horsham rail station to Billingshurst rail station in West Sussex, forming Part 22 of the Sussex Hospices Trail. This long distance walk takes in both the undulating countryside of the Sussex Weald and the market town of Horsham. On route you will pass the historic Christ Hospital, one of the oldest schools in England, walk along the scenic Downs Way Link and West Sussex Literary Trail and take in interesting estates and ancient woodland. The return leg can be completed with a single 10 minute train journey.
Difficulty
The Weald is well known for its mud and after rain the trail can be heavy going in places. You will need to negotiate a number of stiles, kissing gates, narrow footbridges and footpaths, short sections of steps and cross one pedestrian level crossing. There are a few road crossings that need care when crossing and two short sections of road which are only accessible via grass and road side verge. The first stretch of the route takes you through the busy town of Horsham but this soon opens up into woodland and open fields. You are likely to come across livestock in some of the fields so take particular care with dogs. Allow 5 hours.
An 11 mile linear walk from Balcombe rail station to Horsham rail station in West Sussex, forming the 21st stretch of the Sussex Hospices Trail. The route takes in the High Weald Landscape of the Sussex countryside and passes through a changing scenery of working farms, rolling fields and mature woodlands. You will also pass through Nymans ancient woodland, set in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, with its magnificent Redwoods and clear lakes. The return leg can be completed with a 30-minute train journey which includes one change.
Difficulty
The Weald is well known for its mud and after rain the trail can be heavy going in places. You will need to negotiate a number of stiles, kissing gates, narrow footbridges and short sections of steep steps through some of the woodlands. There are a few road crossings that need care and one section of very busy road at Handcross which has only a grass verge and no pavement. The final stretch of the route takes you along the residential outskirts of Horsham. Dogs should have no problem on this walk but take care with them as there may be livestock grazing in the fields. Allow approximately 5 to 6 hours.
A 6 mile linear walk from Haywards Heath rail station to Balcombe rail station in West Sussex, forming the 20th stretch of the Sussex Hospices Trail. The route takes you through beautiful Sussex Weald countryside with impressive views and wildlife spotting opportunities around the tranquil Ardingly Reservoir. On route you will walk through mixed woodland, climb rolling hills and stroll alongside the 198 acre Ardingly Reservoir, also designated a Local Nature Reserve. In the distance you can admire the magnificent Ouse Valley Viaduct and the historic Ardingly College. The return leg can be completed with a single 5 minute train journey.
Difficult
he Weald is famous for its mud and after rain the trail can be heavy going, although in many places you will find side paths through the woods running adjacent to the main track. You will need to negotiate a number of kissing gates, footbridges and low step barrier stiles, but no fence stiles. There are some short sections of walking through quiet residential areas and there is one steep section of steps through a wood. Dogs should have no problems on this walk but must be kept on leads when walking through the golf course and do take care with dogs when livestock are grazing in the fields. Allow 3 hours.
A 7 mile linear walk from North Chailey to Haywards Heath, forming the 19th stretch of the Sussex Hospices Trail. A lovely walk starting at Red House Common, with its views over Ashdown Forest to the North and to the Downs in the South, it then zigzags through very pleasant agricultural country (with opportunities for refreshments in Scaynes Hill or Lindfield) to finish at Haywards Heath.
Difficultly
The route follows a mixture of woodland and field paths, which can get muddy at times. There are gentle gradients only. You will need to negotiate several gates and there are three stiles on route (all of which have gaps underneath that medium dogs should pass through easily). You will be sharing one of the fields, within a stud farm, with horses (and foals in the spring and summer) so take particular care with dogs at this point. Allow 3.5 hours.
A 6 mile linear walk from Uckfield bus station to the North Chailey bus stop in East Sussex, forming the 18th stretch of the Sussex Hospices Trail. The route takes you from the busy edge of Uckfield into some surprisingly lovely, tranquil countryside. On route you will skirt through woodland, cross several streams and walk south of Newick village. The return leg can be completed with a single 20 minute bus journey (Mon-Sat).
Difficulty
The paths are generally firm but after rain a few parts could be muddy. You will need to negotiate a number of stiles, kissing gates and footbridges. There is a short, fascinating section through Bellbrook Business Park at the beginning of the walk and the walk ends with a pavement walk along Station Road to North Chailey. For most of the walk you are in gently rolling open countryside. You will be sharing several of the fields with grazing livestock (including cattle, goats and donkeys), so take particular care with dogs. There are several road crossings that need care. Allow 3 hours.
A 10 mile linear walk from Heathfield to Uckfield rail station, forming the 17th stretch of the Sussex Hospices Trail. The route encompasses sections of the Cuckoo Trail, the Vanguard Way and the Weald Way and includes broad-leaf woodlands, grazing pastures, streams, meadows and river banks with two short stretches of country lane, mainly within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The final section of this walk is through the Hempstead Meadow Nature Reserve following the banks of the river Uck. A boardwalk crosses the wet grassland that hosts an abundance of marshland plants and wildlife.
Difficulty
The terrain is mainly flat with gentle inclines and one slightly steeper incline just before section 9. There are several gates and steps to negotiate plus a variety of stiles to cross (suitable throughout for medium sized dogs, but larger dogs may need a hand over some of them). You are likely to come across sheep and cattle in a few of the fields. (There is one field where the farmer has suffered a savage attack on his sheep and insists that all dogs must be on a lead or they could be shot. This field is well-signposted on the route). Some of the paths are little used and there are one or two muddy sections. You will need to cross a rail line at an unsignalled crossing so look and listen carefully for trains before you cross. Allow 5 hours.
A 6 mile linear walk from Burwash Common to Heathfield, forming the 16th stretch of the Sussex Hospices Trail. The route includes woodlands, grazing pastures, streams and meadows with short stretches of country lane, all within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Along the way you will see Braylsham Castle (pictured), a medieval-style castle built from scratch in 1993, as well as the Grade II listed Pottens Mill Farm.
Difficulty
The terrain is mainly flat with a few fairly gentle inclines. The walk difficulty has been slightly upgraded due to the fact that several of the paths are very rarely used so not well-trodden and careful attention to the map is required (an OS map is a useful addition). There are a variety of stiles to cross, suitable throughout for medium sized dogs, and two gates that appear to be impassable for dogs, but closer inspection reveals chains with spring gate clips. You are likely to come across cattle in two of the fields with some friendly horses in the fifth section. Allow 4 hours.
A 7 mile linear walk from Etchingham rail station to Burwash Common forming the 15th stretch of the Sussex Hospices Trail. The route, entirely within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, includes two charming rural villages. Burwash is steeped in history having been the heart of the Wealden iron industry, a notorious route for highwaymen and the home of author, Rudyard Kipling (1902 – 1936) at Bateman’s. Etchingham was a manor long before the Norman Conquest and has a fine 14th century parish church, a community shop and a butchers (Jarvis & Sons), that has been a family business since 1870.
Difficulty
The route criss-crosses the course of the River Dudwell and winds across gentle meadows and farmland, the easy footpaths and bridleways often being shared with large herds of dairy cattle and horses (these all remained calm when we walked through). There is a variety of stiles and footbridges but three of the stiles are entirely enclosed so dogs would need a lift over (this situation is being addressed and may improve over time – please let us know so that we update the details). Be prepared for boggy areas of ground in winter, especially around Bateman’s Mill Pond. Allow 4 hours.
