South Downs Ridge walk from Hassocks to Lewes

Hassocks to Lewes Hike

This is a breath taking scenic walk starting at Hassocks meandering along the meadows and up along the South Downs Way with Brighton, the wind turbines and the sea on our right and the North Downs valley on our left. We will walk on the chalk ridge covered in grassland, grazing sheep and cows for four hours and end up in beautiful Lewes.

On our way we will briefly visit picturesque St John the Baptist church grounds in Clayton and Jack and Jill’s Windmill that is located on our way up the ridge and serves tea and coffee at times. We will pass a medieval dew pond and an Iron age fort at Ditchling Beacon at which stage we will look for a scenic pack-lunch break.

Mid walk break will be at the top of the ridge so do bring your pack lunches. There is a coffee van stop and toilet mid way for a quick top up.

Once we arrive in Lewes we will stroll through the picturesque town & find a place for a drink finishing around 6pm after which you can join the group returning to Clapham Junction or go on to Brighton which is 10 min train ride away.

• Travel and meeting place
We will meet at Clapham Junction at 10.00am outside cafe opposite the subway stairs on platform 13 (Coin de Paris) on Platform 13 and take the 10.23 am train to Hassocks. We will arrive around 11.13am and commence the walk from Hassocks train station ending up at the ridge around 12noon and walk direct on the level ground to Lewis with one or two stops.

Length:
• Walk: This walk is approximately 15km (9.2miles) and will takes us around 4-5 hours depending on the group speed with at lest one break midway.
Difficulty: 7 out 10 with (due to the ability to walk up to the ridge). After that it is level all the way to Lewis. Sun down is at 8.59 pm so we will make it nicely back before that.

• What to bring
Bring your great spirit, trainers/hiking boots, PACK LUNCH, hot and/or cold drink (depending on the weather) and whatever you wish to eat on the way.

We will have one lunch break midway. There are two mobile coffee points on the way usually but this depends on the season.

Partake investment is £8 for early birders.

I'm looking forward to meeting you all.

See you all there! x