Pyewoo one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Pyewoo here.

I walked it in two parts both from Falmer Station. One day to Woodingdean (after looking around the campus) and the next from Falmer Station to Pyecombe, both in combination with other Slow Ways.
There are beautiful views on this route worth 5 stars, perhaps especially the final views towards Pyecombe across the Clayton Gap. I agree with the earlier reviews but found problems they didn't mention. Worst were two paths blocked off at one end forcing retraced steps, not good enough for the Slow Ways network. Misleading base maps are probably why and I think walking the other way they may barely register as you can't even start down the blocked paths and the alternative is clear.

All are listed from Pyecombe to Woodingdean (as per the route name) but I did mostly walk the other way:
* A path has been moved to the field edge at ///users.juggle.sourcing but it has no practical effect.
* Next, and worst, was at the small woodland west of Lower Standean. See my map, photo 1, usable path in purple. I followed the route which seems to be the legal Public Right of Way (BR 19Py) along the track through the wood (per both OS & W Sussex's maps). The end turn was blocked by a mound of dense vegetation. A possible reasonable detour ahead was also blocked by an electric fence. Scrambling through the woodland with no apparent path looked unpromising, my only choice was the private farm track outside of the woodland, also visible on both maps. It was an unnecessary 300m plus time looking for ways through. Strava's heat map shows regular runners use the field track. When I looked from the other side, where the bridleway should cross into the woods from the field, I found a marker post hidden even in winter vegetation. It points east down the field edge, definitely not south into the woods. There is no gate or stile and people have climbed and bent the fence trying to get out of the woods, I doubt the farmer wants that. Photo 2. A sign at the woodland entrance would help everyone.
* At New Barn the stile (S6549) at ///flirts.overpaid.letters has barbed wire strung across the top bar. Large grid wiring between the lower bars makes a good foothold tricky, both are perhaps for keeping in lambs. There's no tall post to hold either, plus a slight drop the other side. It's hard to keep steady and not snag clothes or legs. The stile has a yellow arrow. Between me and a very muddy farm gate was a nervous but persistent pregnant ewe so I didn't investigate it. Photo 3
* Stanmer Park is extensive and publicly accessible, (owned by Brighton & Hove). At the top of the very steep hill climb east of Stanmer Village is a mapped permissive path (OS and B&H online maps) that goes straight into the woodland but is now blocked by a reinforced fence. The trouble is that coming the other way there is actually a small path in that position. The true turn off is further north at a B&H fingerpost with a (muddy) kissing gate into the field. Photo 3
* The path leaving the western edge of the uni campus goes diagonally through the walls of the Jubilee multi storey car park. Not a biggie as I continued straight uphill but had I tried the east side instead it would have been through more car parking, missing the pleasant woodland edge. That car park will probably be a building site soon.
* The final problem may be limited to sunny weekends and holidays. From Falmer Village the bike friendly path along a ridge was safe and a little set back but 2.5km / 1.5mi is unscreened from a busy road. If trees ever grow in the gap they will be windswept and stunted and could block the redeeming views. The noisy traffic really spoilt the walk so the final rating is only 4 stars, it was particularly bad towards Woodingdean with a long tailback from the traffic lights. Photos 4 and 5.

I've uploaded a new version of this route using the actual positions of usable paths, also avoiding the one very steep hill and with a very few small improvements. At some point I'll upload another new route with a totally different southern half that avoids that busy road and has half the amount of road walking overall.

The route starts along a paved footpath on the side of an a-road for the first two miles, quickly opening up to expansive views of the Downs.

After passing Brighton football stadium, it enters a small wood of beech and sycamore.

It becomes slightly tricky to follow the right route through Sussex uni campus but only for a short time and Stanmer Wood makes it worthwhile.

Cutting down to Stanmer gives the opportunity for a pit stop at Stanmer Tea Rooms.

Once over Ditchling Road, secluded valleys take you on chalk paths towards Pyecombe.

The final stretch cuts over the golf club.

Walked on the morning after the winter solstice. The route starts following the village street to the junction with the busy A273. Crossing this road is unavoidable but caution is advised. Once over the road, a permissive bridle path heads briefly parallel to the main road then turns sharply to head uphill and onto the Downs. It crosses a golf course then follows farm tracks and field edges over undulating scenery. It passes through Lower Standean farmyard and past the impressive New Barn with its flint walls and half-hipped roof could only be in Sussex.

After crossing Ditchling Road the route heads into Stanmer Park towards the village which has a popular teashop. Heading away from the village up onto Richmond Hill, the grass path is steep and slippery when wet and muddy. Nice views of Stanmer House and Church from the top. The field is home to grazing cattle. The path then heads into the campus of Sussex University (worth a look round), passing through and out to Falmer village. There is a pub (The Swan) by the footbridge over the A27.

The final section is a tarmac cycle path alongside Falmer Road to Woodingdean.

This is a varied walk with plenty to see. Well signed and traced on the map. The path is easy to follow with several gates and one stile.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.