Kingley Vale

Stats

distance = 3.5 miles

ascent 155 meters

time 108 minutes

Kingley Vale. There are so many walks in and around Kingley Vale that its difficult to single one out as being the best. All the walks except the one marked in blue involve steep climbs up chalk paths. The blue path is level and is suitable for young children. The blue route takes you to the world famous yew forest some of the yews are over 2000 years old.

Driving directions

Leave the Fox and Hounds Pub and take the road towards Chichester following the map as below. It is only 2.1 miles away.

Which ever way you venture in the vale you will encounter great views and a whole host of natural history. The yew forest is unique in Europe and by far the largest and oldest. The views from the top of Bow Hill (or as they are marked the devil’s humps) are spectacular.

The walk from the car park is along a made up path all the way to the actual start point of all of the walks; generally speaking this is comfortable underfoot. At the end of this section there is an unmanned hut with displays of the local flora and natural history. There are often regional maps in a small display case available free near or in the hut. (Even the walk to the hut and back is very pleasant) From the hut if you walk straight on you will find several places where you can enter the forest. Children love to climb the trees but be careful for their safety.

All the other paths involve a climb but the rule of thumb is follow the path it will lead you where you should go as long as you follow it in a circular direction you will always return to the hut.

(A word of warning here, the paths in many places are smooth chalk and this is particularly deceptive, especially when there are leaves on top of the chalk. Don’t be deceived these paths can be very dangerous and please don’t take large strides or lose your concentration.)

This walk is produced in co-operation with