Explore some of the best vineyards in Sussex. Hassocks to Lewes with a climb to the foot of the Downs, followed by a long gentle roll back down mostly quiet roads.
21.5km
Easy
320m
1.5-2.5 hrs
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You can take bikes on trains except during peak hours. Normally only a few are allowed on any one train. There is some car parking in Berwick, including one at the station?. This ride can be linked to both It’s the climb ending back at Southease railway station or Life’s a beach ending at Seaford railway station.
There are plenty of options for routes between Hassocks and Lewes, and you can go freeform with yours. This route takes you out from Hassocks to Underhill Lane which runs parallel to the Downs escarpment, then follows paved surfaces through Ditchling until reaching the bridleway on Spatham Lane.
From here it is a mix of concrete, gravel and chalk bridleways until you reach East Chiltington church. There are a few roads to cross, so be mindful of traffic. From East Chiltington you are back on paved roads and there are various ways to reach Plumpton and Cooksbridge railway stations.
If you’re carrying on to Lewes, the last part of the ride from Offham is on a chalk bridleway through woods and then along the River Ouse levee. In wet weather it can be quite slippery and muddy along the river before you reach Lewes and the paved river-side surfaces.
Want a map of the route to take with you? All our routes are available in the free Komoot app.
To make sure you can use it throughout your cycle, download Komoot’s Mid-Sussex region map to use offline before you go. Don’t forget to like our routes in the Komoot app and share photos or highlights from your own adventures!
A green, often leafy route on bridleways and narrow country lanes which meanders from Hassocks to Lewes on the north side of the Clayton to Offham Escarpment. A climb over the first two miles takes you to the bottom of Ditchling Beacon, then it’s a very gentle downhill all the way to Lewes.
As well as following briefly in the wagon wheels of the Romans, you enjoy wonderful views of the V-shaped woodland, planted on the slopes above Streat to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Jubilee, and pedal through a rare chalk stream habitat, home to newts, frogs and Britain’s largest beetle.
