Mountain Biking on the South Downs. Peter Edwards

      Stane Street Roman road near Bignor Hill

      4 Cross the lane, go through a gate and continue across a field to another gate. Go through, turn then and continue across a field to a further gate then bear along the river bank. Continue around to the bridge, cross over, turn then through a gate to leave the river bank. Continue along a track, which bends sharp right and crosses a bridge over a railway line to arrive at the B2139. Turn on a track along the road edge to a crossing, cross over and continue on a track along the road edge, which turns left onto a minor road. Continue to climb steadily along High Titten road. Shortly after the road bends to the right, turn onto a bridleway and climb a short sharp slope to a gate. Go through and continue to climb before the track levels and arrives at a . Continue () to climb very steeply up Amberley Mount on a rutted, grassy chalk track. At the top, go through gates and continue along the ridge on a gradual incline past Rackham Banks and Rackham Hill.

      5 Continue along the ridge on a good track crossing Springhead Hill, then lose and gain a little height over Kithurst Hill – watch out for loose gravel on the track – and pass around two gates by Chantry Post car park. Continue over Sullington Hill, go through a gate and fork to climb steadily over Barnsfarm Hill before beginning the long descent across Highden Hill. The track descends to a gate and then continues steeply down a lane, bending sharp right at the bottom before arriving at the A24. Turn along a path next to the road and cross the northbound and southbound carriageways via the central reservation at the obvious point. Cut across a grass bank on a tarmac path and cross a slip road, bearing onto a bridleway track, which soon turns right into a car park. Begin climbing at length, steadily at first but becoming much steeper, up a winding flint and chalk track. The track levels and bends left at a to continue along the ridge, over a cattle grid and past the wooded Iron Age hill fort of Chanctonbury Ring.

      6 The track bends SE, descends a little to another cattle grid then descends along a broad, grassy flint track, continuing over a . Continue along the ridge for another 2km before descending fairly steeply over another – beware loose asphalt – to arrive at a minor road. Turn and cross the road and follow the bridleway next to the LH side of the road for 800m, keeping over a . Turn through a gate and descend fairly steeply across a field on a narrow path, before climbing a little then passing through a gate to continue on a narrow path, which eventually merges with a track through arable fields. The track bends right, descends steeply, bends left through a gate and continues along a wooded lane before emerging onto a minor road. Turn and descend along a winding road through Botolphs. Leave the road on a bridleway, which forks left just before the bend by the Church of St Botolph.

      7 Continue to the river bank and follow it along to a bridge. Cross the bridge and continue before turning sharp after 200m to emerge at a layby on the A283. Continue along to the end of the layby and cross the road – beware fast-moving traffic – and turn along a path next to the road before turning onto a bridleway. Climb very steeply on a narrow track, eventually arriving at a gate. Go through and continue climbing gradually across a field around the flank of Beeding Hill. Go through a gate and continue across a small parking area to a .

      8 Turn onto a minor road and climb steadily along the ridge to Truleigh Hill. The road gives way to a rutted track and passes the YHA, houses, a farm and the communications masts at the top of Truleigh Hill, before descending steeply on a chalk track to a on a saddle. Continue through a gate and climb steeply around Edburton Hill before descending steeply again to another saddle. Go through a gate and climb steeply up and over Perching Hill, then Fulking Hill. Continue through a gate and head across the middle of a field on a trodden path, arriving at a gate after 600m. Go through, cross Devil’s Dyke Road, go through another gate and continue on a slight descent along Summer Down. After 1km, the descent becomes ever steeper – watch out for walkers and horse riders – and bends sharply left before passing through a gate and levelling out to cross a road.