Amberley to Worthing – South Downs backcountry paths & Cissbury Ring

WHAT TO EXPECT - HIKING INFO
Distance: 25km (c. 15 miles)
Ascent: c. 585m
Estimated Duration (approx): 7 hours walking (moderate pace 4km/hr)
Difficulty: Energetic

HIGHLIGHT
· Great views from Amberley Mount and Rackman Hill
· Undulating paths over the downs heading south towards Worthing
· Slow ascents and descents on remote paths away from South Downs Way
· Visit the ancient and most historic hill fort in Sussex – The Cissbury Ring.
· Optional sea swim at the end!

DESCRIPTION
This walk is on paths less travelled over South Downs rolling hills with fantastic views along the way. There is an optional sea swim at the end for those who want to cool off after a good day’s walk.

This is a beautiful part of the south downs with fantastic views and rolling hills - and with some neolithic and bronze age history along our way.

We start our walk in Amberley as we head up our first hill onto the South Downs to Rackman Hill for fantastic views looking north towards the North Downs – hopefully we will have good views on the day.

We then head south over rolling hills and forlorn paths, meeting locals who know the less travelled parts of the south downs. I have chosen a route which meanders past other settlement hills and hopefully with views over to the sea. We pass Finden for a refreshment stop after 14km (no pub stops before then).

We then head over to Cissbury Ring – the oldest hill fort on the South Downs Way. It boasts much history - a neolithic flint mines, bronze age burial ground, iron age hill fort, a roman mint, a tudor vantage point before it was investigated archeologically by the Victorians. Then onto Worthing for a drink and a swim!

Option at this stage is to head back to London or go down to Worthing Pier and have a swim.

ps. My walks make time to enjoy the views, take in local history, and look at interesting buildings along the way.

PROGRAMME
You can choose to meet at London Victoria or the Hike Starting Point.
The applicable time and meeting points are detailed below.

MEETING POINT:
We will assemble beside Nero's and by Neil Yards Remedies opposite the Information Desk

LONDON STATION MEETING DETAILS
Assembly Time:
by 08.00 - for those looking to come in on the Group Save
by 08.15 - for people who have their own tickets as we move to the train
08.32 - train departs
09.59 - train arrives

HIKE START POINT
Leave at: 10.10
Meetup Point: Amberley Train Station - outside the front

RETURN
It is impossible to promise a specified finish train and time, but we aim to return to London on the 18.35 (20.05 arrival) if you are not swimming.

There are trains at 35mins and 55mins per hour (the latter trains at 55mins take much longer). There is a train at 17.35 (19.05 arrival) but we're unlikely to catch this train.

HIKE COST
The cost for the hike is £10 per person

TRAIN INFORMATION
For those buying their own tickets, please get a return to FORD (covers both the Amberley and Worthing train routes) .

GROUP SAVE
Group save train fare is £26.70 - if you want to join in, please message me.
Alternatively, you can buy a Network Railcards for £35/ year for similar off peak savings. www.network-railcard.co.uk.

REVIEWS
Trip Advisor | Facebook | MeetUp

PRICE INCLUDES
· Guided hike planned and led by an experienced AAA leader, trained in Outdoor First Aid.

PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
· Travel costs
· Lunch, drinks or any refreshments
· PayPal fees

RECOMMENDED KIT LIST (complete list)
· Suitable hiking shoes or boots
· Packed lunch and snacks
· Water - 2 litres recommended
· Waterproof jacket and trousers (Please no jeans!)
· Warm windproof layer e.g. Down/Primaloft/Fleece
· Wicking base layer e.g. Polyester/Tencel/Merino

CANCELLING/REFUNDS
If you can no longer join the hike, please message the Host listed on here, and update your RSVP status to 'Not going', to allow others to take your place. If the hike is full, and you have messaged us and have changed your RSVP to 'Not going', we will refund you, less than the PayPal/Meetup fees. To obtain this, please email info@aaalondongroup.com after the event, with the email address you use on your PayPal account and transaction reference. If the hike is not full, unfortunately we will not be able to provide any refund.

QUESTIONS
If you have any other questions, please check visit our FAQ page. If you are still unsure, contact the event Host shown on this page.
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