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United Kingdom
England
South East England

West Sussex

The best walks and hikes in West Sussex

3,732hikes

4.7

(3,659)

35,677 people hiked here

Once part of the seven medieval kingdoms (no, this isn’t a ‘Game of Thrones’ blurb), this southern county is a fantastic place to explore on foot. Walks in West Sussex take you over the impressive South Downs, through the marshes of Chichester Harbour and past endless patchwork farmland. 

The sunniest county in the UK, you’ll find walks for every age and every ability here. Coastal hikes in West Sussex not only offer wonderful views of the English Channel but also show you glimpses of the numerous bird species who make the mudflats and wetlands here their home. If you like your walks to take an educational turn, you can stop off at Roman villas, castles and stately homes too. Okay, partially educational because you’ll also be there for the tea rooms. 

There’s so much to discover when exploring West Sussex and the trails you follow will reveal the true beauty of this historic county.

Thorney Island loop from Southbourne — Chichester Harbour AONB
Intermediate
03:45
14.9 km
Intermediate
03:12
11.8 km
Intermediate
03:08
11.7 km
Intermediate
02:31
9.06 km
Easy
01:41
5.93 km
Easy
01:15
4.63 km
Intermediate
02:28
9.60 km
Intermediate
02:23
8.64 km
Expert
05:00
17.7 km
Easy
00:55
3.43 km

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  1. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
    1
    1
    03:45
    14.9 km
    4.0 km/h
    20 m
    20 m
    Intermediate

    4.8

    (54)

    439

    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
    View
  2. 2
    03:12
    11.8 km
    3.7 km/h
    160 m
    160 m
    Intermediate

    4.8

    (31)

    359

    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
    View
  3. Let us show you the way with the komoot mobile app

    With a free komoot account, you can easily find, customize, and navigate endless outdoor adventures in West Sussex and beyond.
  4. 3
    03:08
    11.7 km
    3.8 km/h
    130 m
    130 m
    Intermediate

    4.8

    (44)

    315

    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
    View
  5. 4
    02:31
    9.06 km
    3.6 km/h
    160 m
    160 m
    Intermediate

    4.8

    (38)

    241

    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
    View
  6. 5
    01:41
    5.93 km
    3.5 km/h
    130 m
    130 m
    Easy

    5.0

    (32)

    334

    Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
    View
  7. 6
    01:15
    4.63 km
    3.7 km/h
    60 m
    60 m
    Easy

    4.9

    (23)

    209

    Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
    View
  8. 7
    02:28
    9.60 km
    3.9 km/h
    40 m
    40 m
    Intermediate

    4.7

    (38)

    246

    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
    View
  9. 8
    02:23
    8.64 km
    3.6 km/h
    150 m
    150 m
    Intermediate

    4.9

    (18)

    156

    Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
    View
  10. 9
    05:00
    17.7 km
    3.5 km/h
    380 m
    380 m
    Expert

    4.8

    (12)

    109

    Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
    View
  11. 10
    00:55
    3.43 km
    3.7 km/h
    40 m
    40 m
    Easy

    5.0

    (9)

    188

    Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
    View

to see 3,722 more hikes in West Sussex.

More Information

Discovering the magic of the South Downs National Park

The South Downs might only have achieved National Park status in 2011 but it’s been a cherished area for thousands of years. Its chalk hills provide many of the best hiking trails in West Sussex and walks are often gradual, leading to phenomenal view points across the downs. 

Further north, hikes in West Sussex extend to the western Weald which is included in the South Downs National Park, although its geology is vastly different. Trails here take you through exquisite natural woodland and old-growth forest. Out of the woods you can continue across clay and sandstone hills, past farmland and follow hedgerows filled with life. 

The South Downs are also peppered with historic buildings. From Bignor Roman Villa and 17th century Parham House to Avington Park mansion and 18th century watermills, evidence of times gone by is all around. 

Finding the nature of West Sussex

With a lengthy southern coastline, rich natural woodlands, sweeping commons and numerous streams and rivers, it’s perhaps no surprise that your walks through West Sussex will have a strong wildlife accompaniment. 

Down in Chichester Harbour Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you can see many resident and visiting birds across the mudflats and wetlands. Little egrets, dunlin and curlews all call this area their home. 

Selborne Common in the South Downs is an ideal place to roam in summer as its wildflowers draw thousands of butterflies. Over in the east, Burton Mill Pond sees waterfowl, beetles and dragonflies. 

Hiking through the seasons in West Sussex

Thanks to its southerly location and variety of landscapes, every season is a good season for walks in West Sussex. In spring, the county comes alive with birdsong, wildflowers and tree blossoms, making rambles positively blissful. 

In summer, the rural landscape of West Sussex blooms in full glory and whether you’re roaming the Weald or the coast, you stand a high chance of enjoying beautiful sunshine. Autumn brings stunning colours across the South Downs, with hazy mornings and golden forests. 

In winter, you can choose your hikes depending on the weather, sticking to the western Weald woodlands when you need shelter or enjoying an exhilarating coastal walk when it’s dry. Every time of year brings out a different side to this wonderful region so get your boots on and choose a trail.

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Last updated:
June 17, 2024

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