- On trail 21.9 mi 35.3 km
- Walking time 10–11 h
- Ascent 840 m 2,750 ft
- Descent 830 m 2,700 ft
- Difficulty Moderate
Devil's Dyke, Ditchling Beacon, and the ridge above Brighton.
Section 7: River Adur to River Ouse map
Cross-check: National Trails route description . Opened 25 October 2026. The distance at the top of this page is measured between these ends. The route page's miles stay in the answers below.
The walk
The hills above Brighton make this the busy section, and none of the plans walk it in one day. Devil's Dyke, the largest dry chalk valley in the county, comes first. The Jack and Jill windmills lead on to Ditchling Beacon, 248 m (814 ft), the highest point on the Sussex Downs. The path then skirts Lewes. The Greenwich Meridian is after the town, on the way down to the River Ouse.
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Start of section
River Adur
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Devil's Dyke
The largest dry chalk valley in the county. Saddlescombe is the old farm on the path, and the 10-day camps there, under the dyke at Poynings. Pyecombe, further along the ridge, is the night on the 6-day and the 9-day.
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Ditchling Beacon
248 m (814 ft), the highest point on the Sussex Downs. The Jack and Jill windmills are on the way up. A bus at the car park runs down to Brighton. On the 8-day this beacon shares the day with Devil's Dyke.
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The night is off the path
Lewes and the Ouse
The path skirts the town. Housedean is the campsite on the ridge if you are not going down, and that is the 5-day night. Lewes is about 3 miles (5 km) below, from Black Cap. The Greenwich Meridian is after the town. Southease is the village at the river, and Itford, with a youth hostel and a cafe, is just beyond it. These plans do not stop there.
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End of section
River Ouse
Section 7: River Adur to River Ouse overview
The ground
- Devil's Dyke
- Ditchling Beacon
- Busy hills
A long ridge above Brighton. The length is why every plan splits it. Chanctonbury Ring was the section you just left, before the Adur. After the Ouse the path is open all the way to Alfriston, and the cliffs are the section after that.
Stops
Refreshments
- Carry food and water. Jill Mill opens on Sundays and holidays in summer. A van at Ditchling Beacon sells ice cream
- and a bus there runs to Brighton. Lewes is the town if you drop down. A cafe at Itford is just beyond the river
Toilets
- The route page does not name a public toilet on this section
Before you go
Opposite direction
River Ouse to River Adur
You leave the Ouse with Southease behind you, and the Greenwich Meridian is the morning. Lewes stays below the path unless you choose the drop. Ditchling Beacon comes before the windmills. Devil's Dyke is the valley after Pyecombe, and the Adur is the finish.
End of section
River Adur
River Adur to River Ouse FAQ
How long is the River Adur to the River Ouse?
The route page lists 21 miles (33.8 km). The distance at the top of this page is measured between these ends. None of the plans walk the whole section in one day.
Where do I stop on this section?
On the 8-day and the 7-day, at Lewes, about 3 miles (5 km) off the path. Book it, and cross the river the next morning. The 9-day adds Pyecombe, on the path after Devil's Dyke. The 10-day stops at Poynings, under the dyke. The 5-day stops at the Housedean campsite and stays on the ridge. The 6-day stops at Pyecombe and leaves Lewes below.
Can I download a GPX for River Adur to River Ouse?
Yes. Use the GPX button at the top of this page. It is this section's line, for Garmin, Komoot, or your phone. Open the planner if you want a file built around your overnight stops.
Walk this as a day
Lewes, about 3 miles (5 km) off the path, is the night on Day 6 of the 8-day. The river is the next morning. Open the planner on that preset, then export a full-trip or per-day GPX.
Open in planner Read the 8-day itinerary
Full-trip and per-day GPX files. Free, no account.
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