South Down
Good walks are even better shared.
Explore routes near South Down
Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.
Widemouth Bay to Bude Coastal and Canal
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Locking Parklands–Hutton–Christon
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Aircraft Crash Site - Wellington Bomber and Vampire Jet (Black mountains)
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Banwell–Vering Down–Winscombe
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Route planning notes
These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.
Pulborough Route
Starting from the village of Pulborough, this route offers a gentle ascent with stunning views over the surrounding countryside.
Storrington Trail
A slightly more challenging route starting from Storrington, leading hikers through wooded paths before ascending the ridge.
Make a day of it, together
Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.
Hill facts and local notes
Classifications
Elevation
298m
978 ft
Prominence
33m
Coordinates
51.1968, -3.9116
SS665459
OS Map
180
Explorer: OL9W
At the Summit
The summit features a prominent trig point, ideal for photography enthusiasts keen on capturing the panoramic views. Don't forget to wave at the locals—it's said they take an interest in hikers!
Terrain & Geology
South Down is formed primarily of chalk, a soft white rock that has been shaped by erosion over centuries. The surrounding area offers a rich display of geological features with ephemeral streams and a unique flora adapted to the chalky soil.
Views & Scenery
From the summit, one can see the sprawling fields of the Arun Valley, the rolling hills of the South Downs, and, on a clear day, even the distant outline of the Isle of Wight.
History & Heritage
Name Origin
The name 'South Down' reflects its location on the southern downs of the UK, with 'down' being an Old English term for hill or mound.
Historical Significance
Historically, the South Downs have been an important landscape for agriculture due to their fertile chalky soils and have played a key role in local folklore.
Getting There & Facilities
Parking
There is ample parking available at the Pulborough railway station, which is roughly a 10-minute walk away from the route's starting point.
Public Transport
Pulborough Railway Station is the closest, with direct services from London Victoria. Local buses also serve the area.
Nearby Facilities
There are several cafes in Pulborough offering refreshments, as well as public toilets near the railway station.
Safety Information
Known Hazards
- Watch out for sudden changes in weather, as the South Downs can be notoriously unpredictable. Additionally, the chalky paths can become slippery during rain.
General Safety Tips
- Check weather conditions before setting out
- Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
- Let someone know your planned route
- Take a map, compass, and GPS device
- Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch
Hills
Some common questions about the hills answered
Are there group walks up South Down?
Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around South Down through the maps
Are there other walkers around South Down?
Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for South Down search or of course create your own walk for South Down
Can I organise a walk to South Down?
Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.
If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to South Down.
How do I find a walk up this hill?
There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.
Can I suggest a new route up South Down?
Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.
Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to South Down here
The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?
We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible
Community Discussion
Comments
Location
View the hill's mapped position and surrounding paths.
Grid reference: SS665459
View on OpenStreetMapOpens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.
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