Wilding Waterhall & Devil's Dyke from Saddlescombe

South Downs Walk

Downland Walk

Walk Route Description

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An energetic walk across the South Downs offering views of the downs and the coast. The route crosses a former golf course which has been left to return to nature at Wilding Waterhall. The walk then continues to Devil's Dyke which ranks as the longest dry valley in the UK.

The walk starts from the small free car park on Saddlescombe Road (grid ref. TQ271114) opposite the entrance to Saddlescombe Farm. After parking return to the road and fork right to Saddlescombe Farm. You are now following the South Downs Way. Pass a pond and the farm on your right and a café on your left. Keep ahead after passing a row of cottages ignoring a path forking left. Exiting small trees you reach a path junction (grid ref. TQ275115) fork right through a gate to join the Sussex Border Path. The path continues to reach a clear track.

Go straight across the junction to continue along a clear track descending towards the coast. After 600 metres the track runs beside trees on your right. Reaching the end of the trees, the track starts to rise onto Sweet Hill. Look out for a gate on your right which leads onto the former Waterhall golf course. The path descends into a valley passing remnants of the area's former use. At the foot of the valley (grid ref. TQ284095) pass through a hedge and turn left. The path leads uphill to the former club house. Pass through a car park and turn sharp right up the old access drive to reach a road (grid ref. TQ279090).

Turn right along the path and grass verge to take the first signed footpath on the left. Cross the stile into a field and keep the field boundary on your left. The path soon swings right still with the filed boundary on your left. When the fence goes left continue ahead following a line of small trees. Turn left over a stile and follow the path across a field to reach the Devil's Dyke Road (grid ref. TQ272095). Cross the road with care and take the access drive to Brighton & Hove Golf Course. Nearing the club house, continue ahead down a section of disused road with no-entry sign and turn sharp right up a rising tarmac drive. This leads back to the Devil's Dyke Road. Cross the road to a gravel path and turn left.

After 200 metres, and after crossing a cross track, veer right to join a path with fingerpost leading across Dyke Golf Club course. The route is waymarked although do be aware of flying golf balls. The path leads to a road. Cross the road to gate opposite and reaching a path/track turn right along the South Downs Way which leads past the Devil's Dyke back to the car park used at the start of the walk.

Walk GradingMore South Downs Walks

Other walks nearby

Walk 3487	Edburton Hill & Devil's Dyke from Saddlescombe	hard	10.5 miles
Walk 3488	Devil's Dyke Circular from near Saddlecombe	easy	2.5 miles
Walk 3213	Pyecombe, Devil's Dyke & Upper Beeding	easy/mod	8.0 miles
Walk 1983	Edburton Hill from Fulking	easy/mod	6.1 miles
Walk 2236	Wolstonbury Hill and Pyecombe from Patcham	moderate	11.0 miles