Newtimber Hill and Poynings loop from Devils Dyke— South Downs National Park

Hiking trails & Routes

Newtimber Hill and Poynings loop from Devils Dyke— South Downs National Park

Moderate

3.8

(8)

hikers

Newtimber Hill and Poynings loop from Devils Dyke— South Downs National Park

02:19

7.79km

220m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: June 10, 2024

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

South Downs National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

102 m

Devil's Dyke

Highlight • Historical Site

Devil's Dyke is a v-shaped chalkland dry valley that’s home to wildflowers and many species of butterflies. Unique and picturesque, it's a popular destination for hiking or relaxing in nature.

The name comes from a legend: the devil, furious for the conversion of the Kingdom of Sussex to Christianity, dug a dyke through the South Downs to allow the water from the sea to flow through and drown the villages of the Sussex Weald.

The site was a hillfort in the Iron Age. You can still see some earthworks and burrows in the surrounding area. Apparently it was a very popular destination in Victorian times, with a funfair and even a railway line from Brighton!

It gets busy on the weekend but it's a paradise if you manage to hike here on a weekday.

Tip by

1.10 km

View of Devil's Dyke

Highlight • Gorge

Devil's Dyke is a deep, V-shaped river valley along the South Downs Way in Sussex. Part of these chalk-based hillsides are designated as SSSIs (Sites of Special Scientific Interest). From the top of the hills you can see as far as the Isle of Wight on a clear day.

The name can be attributed to local folklore, as an ancient attempt to explain the formation of the steep valley. Supposedly the devil dug the valley as a trench to allow the sea to flood churches, but was disturbed in the process and never finished digging!

Read more about what's on in the area at nationaltrust.org.uk/devils-dyke

Tip by

2.07 km

Public Water Fountain

3.19 km

Newtimber Hill

Highlight • Natural Monument

Newtimber Hill is owned by the National Trust and most of the land is included in a large Site of Special Scientific Interest which spreads westwards along the spectacular Fulking Escarpment and Devils Dyke. This is a really beautiful area to walk in as is all of the Devil's Dyke area.

Tip by

6.20 km

Holy Trinity Church, Poynings

Highlight • Religious Site

Built around 1370 by brothers Thomas and Richard de Poynings under the will of Michael de Poynings, who died in 1369. One of the finest village medieval churches in Sussex

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