South Downs Expedtion Assessor Network ©

Site developed by Simon Whitmore

Site last updated 21/03/2012

The area is appropriate for expeditions on foot, cycle or horse. It is also worth exploring the possibility of undertaking a water expedition as the South Downs includes access to a number of tidal rivers.  

The area is suitable for unaccompanied, qualifying expeditions throughout the year, subject to Operating Authority approval.

Unless there are special reasons, endorsed by the Operating Authority, the area is appropriate only for Bronze and Silver level participation.

As the number of participants continues to grow, the need to be more vigilant on how we impact on the areas that we are using for training and expeditions continues to increase.

We have put together the following information for those supervising or coordinating the start of expeditions and training.

Dependent on the numbers, it is usually advisable to choose a car park, which allows room for equipment to be redistributed and routes checked. Many of the car parks along the South Downs can become busy particularly on warm sunny days – ones to avoid where possible at midday:

Whiteways Lodge

Chanctonbury Ring

Cissbury Ring

Devils Dyke

If teams are arriving by cars, please remember to ensure that they are not blocking driveways, turning circles or gates.

Many of the car parks in the area are pay and display so please ensure if you are leaving your vehicle you have a enough change for the machine.

Obviously, expedition teams must not simply choose to follow a way marked trail for two or three days!

Considerable thought is required in order to choose routes that take the team into countryside on either side of the main route.  Routes must be sufficiently challenging navigationally for the level of the DofE being undertaken,  because of this need to leave the main trail regularly, map reading must be thorough to avoid mistakes that could cause damage or harm crops or livestock on adjacent farmland. In this area, farmers are helpful and supportive; we must not abuse this friendship.

The South Downs is covered by OS Explorer Maps no. 119, 120, 121, 122, 123 and 132 and the 1:50,000 OS Landranger Maps no. 185, 197, 198 and 199 in this series.