A Circular Walk over the South Downs from Amberly Village, West Sussex

Distance 10 miles

A small car park is situated west of Houghton village at Grid 008113.

Leave the the car park through a gap in the bush, turn right to join the Monach's Way.  Follow the track down, passing over the gravel drive of a house, to arrive at the road (B2139) near the George and Dragon Public House.  (Worth a visit for a meal)
(photo:  View east to the South Downs where the route goes)

Follow the road over the River Arun, joining the South Downs Way (SDW) at the bridge, round the left hand bend, then take the High Titten road off to the right.   Follow the road uphill, and just after branching right, take the footpath left following the SDW up hill.  
(photo:  Unusual building in Amberly village)

 Continue over Amberly Mount and follow the SDW on to Rackham Hill.  (The Trig Point is in the field to the right of the SDW)
(photo:  Looking west along the South Downs from Amberly Down)

Continue on from Rackham Hill on the SDW to arrive at a car park area to the east of Springhead Hill.  Turn right and follow the Bridlepath southwest alongside small trees and bushes.  The path eventually turns south, clears the trees where a path joins from the left, then meets a small wooded area.  Follow a footpath right, through a gate, across a small field, then over a stile to join a Bridlepath/farm track.
(Photo:  View west from Rackham Hill)

Turn left, follow the track to the next fence,  then turn right.   The chalk Bridlepath can be seen passing over the fields.  Follow the Bridlepath, ignoring the path right to Burpham High Barn, to reach a 'T' junction of farm tracks.  (The Burgh Tumuli is on the right just before the junction.)
(photo:  Looking north towards the SDW)

Turn left, then right after a few metres at the edge of the trees.  Follow the path to the next finger post, turn left and follow the trees until the path joins a farm track.  Continue south on the track towards Peppering High Barn.  As the track bears left, take the narrow footpath off to the right.  It descends steeply into a valley area.  At the bottom, cross over the track, ignoring the paths left and right, and pass a gate to join the next path.  (An old finger post is hidden in the trees to the right of the gate)
(photo:  The steep path from near Peppering High Barn)

Follow the path as it skirts the wetlands to the left, then through a gate and up hill to join a metalled road above the railway tunnel.  Cross the road, down a very short stretch of track, then through a gate onto a footpath.  At the bottom, pass through another gate, turn right to following the road, then just past Sloe Cottages, turn left through a gate onto a footpath.  Follow the footpath to meet the River Arun, then follows the path on the east bank to join the road at river bridge at Amberly.
(photo:  Looking south along the flooded area east of the River Arun)

The bridge was crossed at the start of the walk.  Retrace the route from the bridge, passing the George and Dragon, and back to the car park.
(photo:  Bridge over the River Arun at Amberly)

....... and finally, wouldn't it be nice to see more of these .....................