DAY 4
A beautiful 11.5 mile stretch featuring rolling chalk downs, woodland trails, and stunning views. Passes Heyshott Down, Graffham Down, and Bignor Hill before descending to the Arun Valley, finishing at Houghton Bridge near Amberley, with its riverside scenery.
Route Overview
- Date: Tuesday 1st July
- Start: Cocking
- End: Amberley
- Distance: 11.5 miles
- Terrain: Rolling downs, woodlands, and riverside
- Difficulty: Moderate (some steeper sections)
- Highlights: Heyshott Down, Graffham Down, Bignor Hill, Arun Valley
- Water stops: Littleton Farm, Houghton Bridge
- Lunch stop: Somewhere in a field as no villages passed en-route
- Accommodation: Black Horse Pub in Amberley
Key Landmarks & Highlights
1. Cocking to Heyshott Down
- Leaving Cocking, the trail climbs steadily onto Heyshott Down, offering expansive views of the surrounding countryside.
- The path is wide and relatively easy, with the occasional woodland section.
- Heyshott Down is a peaceful area, with plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife and take in the views.
2. Heyshott Down to Graffham Down
- From Heyshott Down, the trail gently ascends to Graffham Down, another scenic ridge offering panoramic vistas over the South Downs and the surrounding valleys.
- The route follows the ridge, with a gradual descent through open fields and farmland.
3. Graffham Down to Bignor Hill
- The trail continues along the chalk ridges, passing Bignor Hill, a significant point with breathtaking views of the landscape.
- Bignor Hill also has historic significance and is close to the site of Bignor Roman Villa, which is well worth a visit.
- The route is a mix of open farmland, quiet lanes, and wooded areas.
4. Bignor Hill to Houghton Bridge and Amberley
- The final stretch descends towards the Arun Valley.
- As we approach Houghton Bridge, the landscape changes to a more riverine environment, with views of the River Arun winding through the valley.
- The end of the section leads to Houghton Bridge, a picturesque location with a historic bridge and access to the nearby Amberley village, where we find Day 4’s well-earned accommodation at The Black Horse pub.
Day 4 Route
Day 4 Elevation
Day 4 Route detail with stops
You can see more details of Day 4 with our detailed route on Garmin Connect
Trail Experience
This section of the South Downs Way is relatively relaxed, with a few gentle climbs and beautiful countryside throughout. The combination of chalk ridges, rolling hills, and peaceful woodlands creates a serene atmosphere, and the descent into the Arun Valley is particularly lovely. The trail offers plenty of scenic spots for rest and taking in the panoramic views.
