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Cissbury Ring and Chanctonbury Ring from Steyning

South Downs Walk

Nat Park - South Downs

County/Area - West Sussex

Author - Hugh Maguire

Length - 10.5 miles / 17.1 km    Ascent - 1520 feet / 461 metres

Time - 6 hours 50 minutes    Grade - moderate

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Ordnance Survey Explorer OL10Sheet Map1:25kBUY
Anquet OS Explorer OL10Digital Map1:25kBUY
Ordnance Survey Landranger 198Sheet Map1:50kBUY
Anquet OS Landranger 198Digital Map1:50kBUY

Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Cissbury Ring and Chanctonbury Ring
Click image to visit gallery of 6 images.

This West Sussex walk in the South Downs National Park explores some interesting country north of Steyning and includes the Iron Age Forts of Cissbury Ring and Chanctonbury Ring. The village of Steyning is approached using the A283 and is a beautiful Sussex village nestling under the South Downs. To park your car at the start of this walk you need to find a cul-de-sac at grid ref TQ170106. After parking, turn left out of the cul-de-sac, follow the road for a bit before taking the steep path south west straight up Steyning Round Hill. About halfway up is a gate and you keep on the path until you reach a bench where you turn left.

At the junction of paths (grid ref. TQ163100), where there is a sort of memorial, go west to No Man's Land and another junction of paths (Grid ref. TQ151097). From here go south down a beautiful valley until you reach a large track where you head west to the car park at the foot of Cissbury Ring (Grid ref TQ140085). From here it is an easy climb onto the ring, a circuit of which will offer a variety of views of the surrounding area.

Descend back to the car park and turn north. Follow a fairly wide track until you reach the South Downs Way (Grid ref TQ145114). From here an out and back walk to Chanctonbury Ring can be completed by turning left. Chanctonbury Ring is a small Iron Age hillfort that was use in various periods of history and is still a notable Sussex landmark. Located on a prominence on the northern edge of the South Downs, it overlooks a large portion of the Weald below with the old ridgeway across the downs passing just to the south.

After visiting Chanctonbury Ring, return east along the South Downs Way until you come to the junction of paths by the memorial (grid ref. TQ163100). Turn north here and make your way back via the bench and the car park to your car.

Other walks nearby

Walk 1888 Cissbury Ring, Chanctonbury Ring & Coombesmoderate12.5 miles
Walk 2109 Upper Beeding to Washington by the South Downs Wayeasy/mod7.0 miles
Walk 3078 Cissbury Ring & Chanctonbury Ring from Washingtoneasy/mod8.3 miles
Walk 3310 Washington to Littleton Farm by the South Downs Waymoderate13.0 miles
Walk 1983 Edburton Hill from Fulkingeasy/mod6.1 miles
Walk 3488 Devil's Dyke Circulareasy2.5 miles
Walk 3487 Edburton Hill & Devil's Dyke from Saddlescombehard10.5 miles
Walk 1667 Blackpatch Hill & Harrow Hill from near Storringtoneasy/mod7.2 miles
Walk 3464 Rackham Hill & Kithurst Hill Circulareasy/mod6.7 miles
Walk 3213 Pyecombe, Devil's Dyke & Upper Beedingeasy/mod8.0 miles

Recommended Books & eBooks

The South Downs Way

The South Downs WayGuidebook to walking the South Downs Way National Trail, a 100 mile (160km) route between Winchester and Eastbourne through the South Downs National Park, described in both directions over 12 stages. Easy walking on ancient and historical tracks, taking in wooded areas, delightful river valleys and pretty villages. With 1:25K OS map booklet.
More information

Walks in the South Downs National Park

Walks in the South Downs National ParkGuidebook with 40 circular walks throughout the South Downs National Park, exploring the beautiful chalk hills between Eastbourne and Winchester. The walks range from under 5 miles to 11 miles, including Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters, Ditchling Beacon and hundreds of prehistoric sites. Accessible all year, but wild flowers best in spring.
More information

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