Height climbed = 252 meters
Time = 154 minutes
Stoughton to Adsdean
This walk is not for the squeamish, but the rewards are seriously good views.It starts with a very strenuous climb and 2/3rds of the way around there is another hill that takes no prisoners either. It’s one of those walks that lets you know that you’ve done it but in a very uplifting way.
Starting at Hare and Hounds On leaving the pub walk towards the triangle and bear left. Walk a few yards and turn left at the first opportunity up the path to the left this is by a house called Jeremy’s . Shortly after you start the climb you will come across a memorial stone to a 23yr old Polish pilot who died in an Ariel battle over the downs in 1940. I’m so glad that he is remembered in this way
From here its a case of following the path all the way to the top of the hill This is a very steep and tiring hill but take your time and it is well worth it. There area few spots where you can sit and rest and just as you enter the forest going up the hill there is a granite seat (Don’t get a lot of Granite on the downs) and of course its a very good spot to take in the view. Talking of views at the top You will have great views over to the Isle of Wight. Carry on the same path that you came up until you meet a path approaching from the right. The path becomes very civilized from here all well cared for and in fact it stay quite comfortable under foot right up to joining a downhill stretch at the end. Turn up this path and walk for about 500 yards when you will meet a path on your left There is a 3 finger post in the trees but you have to look for it either way there is only one path to the left turn left here. Again its a case of following the path right down to a made up road and turning right. You will meet a road from the right turn up this road Ahead of you you will see the magnificent mansion of Adsdean in a fabulous setting. Keep bearing left all the way along until you come to a country path again. This is by a very special alpaca company called Dunreyth Alpacas. Its possible to take a walk with an alpaca from these folk. Back to the path and its again a case of follow this path staying on it all the way past a small quarry and eventually you will meet a signboard on your right saying to Kingley Vale, turn right here and then left and follow the path up the hill until you reach a yellow sign post turn left here and find the steps leading down the hill. This is the point where the path becomes all country again and it is very steep. The steps themselves are very well made but take care none the less. (these steps are quite new so chances are they haven’t got a name yet but someone will get round to calling them Jacob’s Ladder, before long you watch.) Stay in the direction that the path wants to take you and eventually you will meet a road. Turn right here and make your way back to the pub. Oddly I find this bit the hardest under my feet, but then I don’t like road walking. This road can be busy but there is a grass verge to your left.
This walk is prepared in co-operation with
Stoughton,Chichester PO18 9JQ, 0239263 1433
