Day-by-day trail itinerary
South Downs Way: 8-day itinerary
The South Downs Way is a 163 km long-distance path from Winchester to Eastbourne, climbing about 3254 m in total across 1 official sections. This summary is auto-generated. Expand it and the topics below with well-sourced detail.
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Compare South Downs Way itineraries
A practical starting point
8 days from Winchester to Eastbourne
Use these daily distances and overnight stops as a starting point, then customise the trip in the planner.
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1
Day 1: Winchester → Exton
19.7 km · 277 m ascent · 5h13–7h22 (about 6h08, incl. ~1h01 of stops)
Via Chilcomb, Cheriton -
2
Day 2: Exton → Chalton
18.3 km · 369 m ascent · 5h03–7h08 (about 5h56, incl. ~59m of stops)
Via Warnford, West Meon, East Meon, Clanfield -
3
Day 3: Chalton → Cocking
20.2 km · 388 m ascent · 5h38–7h57 (about 6h38, incl. ~1h06 of stops)
Via Buriton, South Harting, Elsted -
4
Day 4: Cocking → Amberley
19.4 km · 362 m ascent · 5h23–7h37 (about 6h20, incl. ~1h04 of stops)
Via Heyshott, Graffham, Duncton, Sutton, Bignor, West Burton, Bury, Houghton -
5
Day 5: Amberley → Upper Beeding
21.6 km · 371 m ascent · 5h55–8h20 (about 6h57, incl. ~1h10 of stops)
Via Storrington, Washington, Steyning, Bramber -
6
Day 6: Upper Beeding → Falmer
24.4 km · 553 m ascent · 6h55–9h46 (about 8h08, incl. ~1h22 of stops)
Via Small Dole, Fulking, Poynings, Pyecombe, Clayton, Hassocks, Keymer, Ditchling, Westmeston, Plumpton -
7
Day 7: Falmer → Alfriston
22.4 km · 420 m ascent · 6h13–8h46 (about 7h19, incl. ~1h13 of stops)
Via Kingston near Lewes, Iford, Telscombe, Rodmell, Southease, Piddinghoe, South Heighton, Firle, Alciston, Berwick -
8
Day 8: Alfriston → Eastbourne
17.2 km · 438 m ascent · 4h59–7h01 (about 5h51, incl. ~59m of stops)
Via Litlington, Westdean, Exceat, Friston, East Dean, Birling Gap
Solve the practical questions
Plan South Downs Way with confidence
Route-specific answers from Trailstrider's researched trail data, with the planner ready when you want to turn them into your own trip.