Stepye two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Stepye here.

Having posted this route last year, ten months later I have now had the chance to walk it end-to-end and give it its first review. After a few wet weeks it is always good to get up onto higher ground and in Sussex, the most reliable winter walking is on the South Downs.

This route starts from the ancient pilgrim's church of the Transfiguration at Pyecombe, which still opens its door to walkers and cyclists requiring facilities. From Pyecombe, the route follows the South Downs Way for several miles to the car park at Beeding Hill. There are several climbs (Newtimber Hill, Devil's Dyke, Edburton Hill and Truleigh Hill, but the paths are wide and not particularly muddy. In the Weald down below I could see the River Adur had flooded extensive areas of its flood plain, which would leave the footpaths there very hard going.

Along this route, there are several wide gates, but no stiles or steps. The only obstacles are the climbs which are long and steady, but not overly steep or slippery. You will pass cattle, sheep and horses with riders, but there's plenty of space up there for person and beast.

There are a lot of interesting sights to see of course, the prevailing wind is westerly so road noise from the A23 is not particularly noticeable. There are marvellous views in all directions, plus the pretty little donkey wheel at Saddlescombe Farm to inspect. Devil's Dyke is a justly popular beauty spot, a steep-sided dry valley carved out by successive episodes of melt water after the Pleistocene ice ages. Coming down from the Downs at Beeding Hill, the route picks up the Monarch's Way, the long-distance trail which approximates the path taken by Charles II on his royal escape into exile after the Battle of Worcester in 1651. The Monarch's Way takes you along historic High Street of Upper Beeding and over the Adur Bridge into Bramber past the ruined Norman castle to reach Steyning. There are plenty of refreshment opportunities in Beeding, Bramber and Steyning and also on the Downs during the Summer Season there are also opportunities at Saddlescombe Farm, Devil's Dyke and the Youth Hostel at Truleigh Hill. There is also a camping field opposite the Youth Hostel .

In conclusion, there are no issues with this route. A perfect 5* Slow Way for me.

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