Worste one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 100.00% of reviewers

We really enjoyed this route which we used to connect our home in Worthing to family in Steyning so did not follow the exact route so we could walk from our house to theirs. The main part up over the Downs was easy to follow, lovely to walk and had beautiful views. We had a moment of indecision as to which way to go as the Public Footpath leading from Lyons Way around the back of some buildings had been obscured by some very large piles of tarmac rubble but we were still able to walk round the side to find where we needed to go. We would definitely recommend this route.

Used this as the first of three slow ways in order to create a run. Was a new way out of Worthing for me onto the Downs, after ten years that’s a bonus! From a running point of view a good runnable route that avoids the main, busier paths.

I walked from Steyning to Worthing on 6-6-2022. It was a bit damp underfoot with some puddles after some recent rainy days.

The route starts with a steep climb up from Charlton Street to Steyning Coombe and Horseshoe Wood to get to the top of the Downs. From then there is a path around the top of Horseshoe Wood which is a little overgrown in places.

From the five ways junction at the top of the Downs it is all wide bridle paths on farm tracks down to Worthing. Wide vistas all round including views of Cissbury Ring the iron age hill fort and later the Anglo-Saxon church of St. Mary's, Sompting with its unique (for England) Rhenish tower.

Crossing the A27 is straight forward at a pelican crossing by a large Sainsburys. Then it is residential streets and twittens down to Worthing Pier. It's this section which brings the rating down to 4* for me.

There is a more direct route out of Steyning from Newham Lane which gets to the same spot on top of the Downs (see the FINSTE routes).

One or two stiles and gates but mostly free from obstacles. Cattle, horses and sheep are likely to be encountered. There are no refreshment opportunities until you reach Sainsburys at the outskirts of Worthing, then there are plenty.

I really enjoyed this route, especially the views across the South Downs.

I love that this route is called the Worste one - it's certainly not!

This is a great Slow Way. Steyning is a charming delight (well worth a stay over) and Worthing made a good destination too, with lots of good places to eat and enjoy the sea.

Most of the walk involves ascending or descending over the South Downs. At the top you'll be treated to a cracking view.

The walk through worthing involves a number of alleys that some people might not like, but I always find those kinds of spaces interesting to explore and they are away from traffic too.

(Way followed from Worthing Sompting Road to Steyning).
Once over the A27 & off the road at Lyon's Farm this is an attractive & relatively easy walk. Most of the way is on bridlepaths with a few gates to go through but no styles. However, where it goes down into Steyning (on a footpath from the South Downs Way) the track does become rough & steep in places.
Most of the way is fairly well signposted but you do need a map or gpx download for the spots where there are no signs or where other footpaths cross.

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