FREE HIKE 21km (13 miles) | Arundel Festive Circular

📈 Grade: 🥾 Level 3/5

Join us for a winter walk through some of the most scenic parts of the South Downs, finishing in the historic town of Arundel. After the hike, you are welcome to join an optional social at a local restaurant with an à la carte menu and plenty of tasty choices.

Our journey begins along the River Arun, a peaceful waterway rich in wildlife. As we follow the riverbank, look out for salmon, sea trout, and the variety of birds that make this area a favourite among nature lovers.

We continue towards the village of Burpham, passing through open fields and gentle slopes before tackling a few steeper sections. From there, the route leads toward Rackham Hill, offering wide countryside views on a crisp winter day. We then descend in the direction of Amberley without entering the village, before returning to the Arun along narrow footpaths that wind beside the water.

The path then brings us into Arundel Park, a beautiful expanse of rolling grassland and ancient woodland. We will visit Swanbourne Lake, often filled with winter birdlife, and follow the river once more as we head toward our final stop in Arundel.

Arundel is full of character, from its grand castle to its festive atmosphere at this time of year. After the walk, you will have time to explore the town, relax in one of its cosy cafes or pubs, or join the group for our post-hike meal.

This route includes a mix of flat riverside paths, hills, open fields, and narrower trails, boggy fields, offering a varied and rewarding winter hike.

We aim to finish the hike before 16:00, so those whom have pre-booked can attend our Xmas social event HERE.

✅ WHO CAN JOIN:

• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Adults aged 21 and over
• 👶 For safety reasons, no children
• 🐾 No pets (some members have allergies or phobias)

💰 COST:

• The hike is Free

🚆TRANSPORT OPTION 1:
Arrange your own transport, by a return to Arundel.

🚆TRANSPORT OPTION 2:
Buy your return ticket from London to Arundel a few weeks in advance from Southern Rail for only £16

🚆TRANSPORT OPTION 3:
Organise your own group tickets you can do it HERE.

London Victoria - Arundel (Return):

• 🟢👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 £13:00 DaySave group travel, buy 3 days in advance (requires 4 people)
• 🟢😊 £16:00 Buy couple weeks in advance (solo traveler)!
• 🟡😐 £26.70 with a Network Railcard discount
• 🔴😢 £40.10 without a Railcard discount

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📍 MEETING POINT OPTION 1 - (London departure):

• 08:00 – Meet at London Victoria station ticket office
• 08:20 – Leave the meeting point and board the train
• 08:35 – Train departs London Victoria (direct to Arundel)
• 10:02 – Train arrives Arundel

📍 MEETING POINT OPTION 2 - (Join at Arundel):

• 10:02 – Arundel railway station entrance
• We will start with a quick check-in and a short briefing, then head out for our walk. To keep everything on schedule, we will not wait for late arrivals or slow down for anyone trying to catch up.

🚶 WALK STARTS:

• 10:05 – Arundel railway station entrance

🏁 WALK FINISHES:

• 16:00 – Arundel town centre

🍔 LUNCH:

• Bring a packed lunch and some snacks, 30 minute lunch break (longer if we have a good pace and arrive early)!
• There will be a pub, a restaurant and a boathouse restaurant available. However, because time will be limited, you may not have enough time to order and eat a full meal. You can still use the facilities and the outdoor seating if needed. Please just be discreet so we do not draw attention or risk being asked to leave.

↩️ RETURN TRAINS TO LONDON:

• ~20 min walk from Arundel town centre to Arundel railway station
• 16:14 – Arrives London Victoria 17:45
• 16:44 – Arrives London Victoria 18:15
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• .
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• 17:44 – Arrives London Victoria 19:15
• 18:14 – Arrives London Victoria 19:45
• 18:44 – Arrives London Victoria 20:15

🚻 TOILETS:

• On the train before we begin walking
• Pub, Cafe
• Nature facilities
• Arundel town centre

🏞️ TERRAIN, CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTY

• Distance: Approx. 21 km (13 miles)
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Ascent/Descent: 808 m / 800 m
• Average pace: 4.2 to 6.0 km per hour. Expect a minimum walking speed of about 5.5 km per hour on easy terrain.
• Walking Time: Approximately 5 hours
• Total Duration (including breaks): Around 6 hours
• A few sections are hilly

⚠️ HAZZARDS:
⚠️ Walking through some boggy and slippery marsh fields with puddles
⚠️ Stepping over slippery wooden stiles when wet from rain
⚠️ Some wooden stiles are damaged
⚠️ Walking along plank paving that can be slippery when wet
⚠️ A few chalky descents that can be slippery when wet, take care with footing

🎒WHAT TO BRING:

• Packed lunch and snacks
• At least 2 L of water
• Sturdy hiking boots
• Layers and waterproof clothing
• Cold weather protection
• Medication and basic first aid
• Fully charged phone & power bank
• Walking sticks are recommended for descents.

📞CONTACT:

• Please message the event host AdrianB directly via Meetup with any questions.

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⚠️DISCLAIMER:
By joining, you confirm you’ve read and accepted the group policy on the About page. You are responsible for your own safety, and neither the host nor the group can be held liable for injury, loss, or damage.

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📸 CREDITS:

• Image licensed from: https://www.robertharding.com/