Ditchling Beacon Climb – View from Plumpton Bostal loop from Preston Park

Ditchling Beacon Climb – View from Plumpton Bostal loop from Preston Park

Hard

3.8

(4)

riders

Ditchling Beacon Climb – View from Plumpton Bostal loop from Preston Park

02:24

34.7km

410m

Gravel riding

Hard gravel ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 19, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 26.8 km for 62 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

4.75 km

Chattri Memorial Bridleway

Highlight (Segment) • Monument

This bridleway takes you to and past the Chattri, a memorial commemorating 53 men of the Indian Army who died during the First World War.

From Patcham at the south end the path ascends along an open grassy area, offering stunning views of Brighton when you look behind you. After the Chattri you'll join a well-surfaced path taking you through wheat fields.

This is a great way to reach the South Downs Way, avoiding anything too technical or too steep.

Tip by

9.36 km

Ditchling Beacon Dew Pond

Highlight • Viewpoint

An iconic sight in the South Downs National Park are the dew ponds, made for grazing livestock to drink from.

This one is particularly striking at sunset and features a lone tree which reflects perfectly in the water.

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10.7 km

Ditchling Beacon Climb

Highlight • Climb

Ditchling Beacon is the third-highest point on the South Downs, with spectacular views - it's a great climb to test the legs on.

Tip by

13.0 km

View Over Plumpton from Streat Hill

Highlight • Trail

This area of the South Downs saw running battles during the Battle of Lewes in 1264, and in more recent history these hills were used by the army as training grounds during WW2. The hard concrete surface descending the scarp slope at Plumpton Bostall was laid at this time as a tank trap.
This ridge with views across the Weald towards the High Weald and beyond that the North Downs is part of the Clayton to Offham Escarpment. This is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its woodland and chalk grassland. Here you can find many types or orchid including burnt tip orchids, fragrant orchids and frog orchids.

Tip by

13.0 km

View from Plumpton Bostal

Highlight • Climb

Plumpton Bostal is a particularly tough climb and descent, as the road surface is a mixture of broken tarmac, concrete and some areas of just rubble. This, combined with its steep gradient, make it one of the more challenging of the Sussex bostals.

The Half Moon pub at the bottom is well worth calling in at!

Tip by

13.3 km

South Downs Way: Blackcap to Plumpton Bostal

Highlight (Segment) • Trail

16.6 km

Cuckoo Bottom Track

Highlight • Viewpoint

This is a wonderful stretch of track running just below Mount Harry, and it continues below Black Cap too before it joins the South Down Way at the Beeches. A great biking section overall.

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