Fine Winter 2019

One of the highlights has to be as you leave
the A286 behind you and enter a series of
breath-taking forests as you head towards
the West Dean Estate. The wooded path
starts with an archway of Golden Larch,
leading to a Beech Tree forest and then,
like a scene from little Red Riding Hood
or the Gruffalo, suddenly takes you in to a
tunnel of fern and pine trees.
It’s silent, it’s stunning, it’s secluded and I
would rate it as one of the most beautiful
places I’ve been all year. I still find it hard to
believe that there’s such outstanding and
unspoilt beauty right on our doorstop and
it really does feel like a place that time has
forgotten!
Heading for home
By the time you leave the forest behind
you, your legs are ready for home and
a long, meandering path takes you past
a beautifully remote house and back up
to Colworth Farm. We really felt like
we were in a scene from Tess of the
d’Urbervilles by now.
Then as you finally start your descent
down Hat Hill, you can see Singleton in the
valley below you and spot the start of your
route on what looks like the distant hills
the other side. It feels like a lifetime ago
since you set out.
Down time
The South Downs route planner
recommends you allow 3 ½ hours for this
walk but we did it in 2 ½ and that included
our extra 2 km. That said, we didn’t stop
much, and we do walk quite fast but even
so, the jam sandwiches we ate to keep us
going tasted like manna from heaven.
As we tumbled down back into the
village, we felt euphoric. It felt like we’d
had a real adventure, deciphering the
map, conquering the landscape and going
where no man had been before (well OK,
a few people maybe but we didn’t meet
anyone). And all that, for free, and right on
our doorstep. Better still, there’s a great
little pub in the village perfect for restoring
your strength before you head home for a
hot bath.
You can find more maps and routes at:
https://www.southdowns.gov.uk/enjoy/
walking/walking-trails/
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