The Trailwalker Trail

The South Downs Way is one of the oldest routes in Britain. Lined by Iron Age hill forts and Bronze Age roundbarrows, this ancient droveway has been in use for around 6,000 years.

The route Trailwalker follows starts on the South Downs Way at the Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Hampshire, and follows it roughly until Lewes, where the trail diverts to reach the finish at Brighton Racecourse.

Route profile

The Route

There are ten Checkpoints along the trail between the Start and Finish. Each checkpoint will have hot and cold drinks, First Aid support and toilets some have additional facilities.

All team members will receive a detailed Maps and Directions booklet for the Trailwalker 2008 route through the post nearer to the event.

However, for training and preparation purposes we have provided the route and checkpoint details from last years event.

Be aware that most of the checkpoints are on private land and will only be available on the day.

Note: This route may change for Trailwalker 2008 following feedback from last years event. Full details of the up to date route will be included in the Maps and Directions booklet.

Key:

Support crew access	Water	First Aid	Hot drinks	Camping	Food

Target times 12, 18, 24, 30

Startpoint facilities:

Startpoint to Checkpoint 1

From: Queen Elizabeth Country Park (Grid Ref. SU717182)
To: Harting Down (Grid Ref. SU790181)

Situated near Petersfield in Hampshire, the main field at Queen Elizabeth Country Park forms the start location of Trailwalker.

Following the South Downs Way, the trail begins its journey through the trees and woodlands of the Park towards the village of Buriton.On this section of the trail, the route skirts the edges of several woods and fields. After crossing several main roads, you emerge from the trees to Checkpoint 1 at the National Trust site of Harting Down.

Trailwalker map

Checkpoint 1 facilities:

Checkpoint 1 to Checkpoint 2

From: Harting Down (Grid Ref. SU790181)
To: Hilltop Farm (Grid Ref. SU875167)

Continuing through Harting Down, the trail goes over ancient chalk downland and follows the route to just above Telegraph House, which commemorates the sending of semaphore messages via this hill during the Napoleonic wars.

This part of the trail is quite rocky underfoot, and contains one of the steepest hills on the course – but better to get it over with!

The trail also passes by more ancient sites; on Beacon Hill, there is an Iron Age fort and at Devil's Jumps, a spectacular group of large tumuli. The trail follows the South Downs Way between Linchball Wood and Bepton Down to arrive at Checkpoint 2 at the crossroads with the A286.

Trailwalker map

Checkpoint 2 facilities:

Checkpoint 2 to Checkpoint 3

From: Hilltop Farm (Grid Ref. SU875167)
To: Littleton Farm (Grid Ref. SU951145)

On leaving Hilltop Farm, initially the route follows a wide and well-worn track, with views of Cocking and beyond to the north. It continues into the Charlton Forest, with Heyshott Down archaeological site – a group of Bronze Age burial mounds dating from about 1500BC, to the north.This stretch can be dark and muddy – although you might well be happy about the shade from the sun! You can see Checkpoint 3 long before you arrive there.

After a steep descent on a narrow rocky path through a field of rapeseed, Checkpoint 3 is at Littleton Farm.

Trailwalker map

Checkpoint 3 facilities:

Checkpoint 3 to Checkpoint 4

From: Littleton Farm (Grid Ref. SU951145)
To: Amberley (Grid Ref. TQ018118)

The trail continues to descend through Buriton Down, before rising again to cross the Roman road of Stane Street. The road was constructed to connect the old port of Chichester with London. Then there’s a slow descent towards Amberley, past Coombe Wood, then a sharp right turn down to Checkpoint 4.

Trailwalker map

Checkpoint 4 facilities:

Checkpoint 4 to Checkpoint 5

From: Amberley (Grid Ref. TQ018118)
To: Washington (Grid Ref. TQ119125)

This is a long stretch, but the level ground should make it fly by! Starting with a relatively steep ascent past the chalk pits, the trail passes Rackham Banks, a substantial but little-understood earthwork.

Beyond here there is some fairly level, airy, ridge-top walking with fine views. The route then diverts off the South Downs Way temporarily for safety, and crosses the bridge over the A27, past some private cottages to Checkpoint 5. And you’re half way already!

Trailwalker map

Checkpoint 5 facilities:

Checkpoint 5 to Checkpoint 6

From: Washington (Grid Ref. TQ119125)
To: Botolphs (Grid Ref. TQ191095)

The trail continues over a mixed landscape of arable and pasture land with wooded slopes below.

The tops of the Downs themselves are almost bare and give a feeling of isolation, especially towards evening. We enjoy views over the village of Steyning and beyond and pass Steyning Bowl, a dramatic dry valley. The trail descends Annington Hill through to Botolphs and Checkpoint 6.

Trailwalker map

Top tip:

The Trailwalker route between Checkpoints 6 and 9 is the part of the trail most teams walk during the night. This would be a great part of the route to practise before the big event.

Checkpoint 6 facilities:

Checkpoint 6 to Checkpoint 7

From: Botolphs (Grid Ref. TQ191095)
To: Devils Dyke (Grid Ref. TQ258107)

After following the river and walking through some of Upper Beeding, the trail rejoins the South Downs Way with a major ascent. It reaches the ridge-top after climbing Truleigh Hill (708 feet), and skirts the edge of National Trust land at Fulking Hill.

The lucky teams to reach this stage at dusk will enjoy some magnificent views as the sunsets over the hills and Brighton. The mass of tents and twinkling lights at Checkpoint 7 are a welcome sight.

Trailwalker map

Checkpoint 7 facilities:

Checkpoint 7 to Checkpoint 8

From: Devils Dyke (Grid Ref. TQ258107)
To: Jack and Jill (Grid Ref. TQ304134)

Through a mixed arable landscape and again round the edge of National Trust land, the trail drops down to cross another busy main road, the A23 London to Brighton, at the village of Pyecombe.The checkpoint is at Jack and Jill windmills.

The earliest reference to windmills at this site was in 1765, and they have since been fully functioning corn mills, holiday homes, a place for constructing aircraft parts in WW2, and also featured in a Michael Caine film!

Although this stretch is short, you might well have stiffened up while you enjoyed your meal at Checkpoint 7, so take it easy and give yourself some digestion time! You’ve walked ¾ of the route by now, and your body will have become accustomed to moving and snacking, not sitting and eating – it takes a while to readjust.

Trailwalker map

Checkpoint 8 facilities:

Checkpoint 8 to Checkpoint 9

From: Jack and Jill (Grid Ref. TQ304134)
To: Spring Barn Farm (Grid Ref. TQ404089)

Climbing back on to the ridge you can look back on the windmills, before heading on to another famous landmark – Ditchling Beacon.

At 813 feet, this is the third-highest point on the South Downs. Several miles of open downland follow before the trail descends into Lewes. This is a really long stretch that a lot of people tackle during the night. Although you can look back and be reassured by the head torches moving down the hills behind you, it’s almost impossible to see what’s in front.

The end of this stretch takes you through the town, and the tarmac will come as a shock after the turf you will have been walking on. It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with Lewes before Trailwalker if you can, as navigating a town after 88km can be tough. Just remember that you only have 12km to go!

Trailwalker map

Checkpoint 9 facilities:

Checkpoint 9 to Checkpoint 10

From: Spring Barn Farm (Grid Ref. TQ404089)
To: Woodingdean (Grid Ref. TQ377058)

This section has a steep ascent after passing through Kingston near Lewes. But it’s a short, morale-boosting stretch with the checkpoint set in a pretty, quiet, off-road location after less than 5km. From here you can see the next stretch winding around the valley and up to the pass.

Trailwalker map

Checkpoint 10 facilities:

Checkpoint 10 to Finishpoint

From: Woodingdean (Grid Ref. TQ377058)
To: Brighton Racecourse (Grid Ref. TQ332051)

The final section of the trail gradually ascends on a wide, level path up to the woodland at the top of Bullock Hill, where there are some stiles to navigate. Your knees won’t like it, but take it slow and remember how little there is left to do!

You’ll emerge from the wood on the crest of the hill to see the racecourse grandstand below. You’ll follow a footpath through a residential area to a main road, where you’ll cross and enter the racecourse at the two-furlong mark to start your triumphant walk to the finish.

Finishpoint facilities:

Trailwalker map

Resources

• Training Plans (click on 'Training' tab)
• Route card (pdf 2.5MB)
• Training and Safety Guide (pdf 1MB)