West Sussex has a treasure trove of cycling experiences. The rolling nature of the South
Downs provides many ways to test your mettle. Try your legs against the famed Cardiac Hill in Stoughton, that takes you into the heart of the Kingly Vale nature reserve, or the two steep road climbs out of South Harting. Rush down the technical Rogate bike park trails or glide down Duncton hill on route to beautiful Petworth.
Mountain Bike West Sussex
Mountain biking has had a firm following in Sussex for many years now. The South Downs
are a wonderfully varied landscape best seen and explored from the saddle. Here's a few of our favourite local rides.
Rise early and ride to the tumuli that sit astride Bow Hill. Watch the morning mist lift, revealing the picturesque harbours of Bosham and Chichester.
Riding up from Lavant, Chalk Pit Lane is a good test of any legs. It leads up to the Trundle in
Goodwood with views of the south coast and, from Wednesday to Sunday, a chance to
check out the T Box. A coffee shop selling delicious coffee and treats.
For riders looking for single track and downhill rushes, there are plenty to be found. Queen
Elizabeth Country Park has two award winning purpose built mtb tracks graded blue and
red with a family green run recently added. Over on the next hill, Hed Down, there has been
some great work done on the trails there. The community of riders there is very welcoming
and it is easy to find people to ride with.
Whiteways Cafe on Bury Hill near Arundel is the entrance to a woodland scattered with
some lovely flowing single track which, if you fancy the challenge, leads into Eartham woods
that holds even more single track and a few jump courses thrown in.
Stoughton Downhill has been a gem for local riders and has some wonderful progression
lines. Well worth spending some time here sessioning different sections of each trail. After a
good ride in and around Stoughton, The Hare And Hounds pub in the village has a good
selection of beer and food available and a bit further west, The Barley Mow in Walderton
has a lovely garden out back by the river.
In Rogate, you'll find Rogate Bike Park, part of the B1kepark family. Rogate boasts a host
of built tracks down a single hill. Although not the biggest park, it offers a deceptively large
choice of lines and great progression routes ranging from blue to black graded tracks. DMR
have built a line there too for any competent down hillers. To ride at Rogate, you have to
register with B1kepark and purchase a day ticket.
Or just head out to the countryside with plenty of snacks and explore the hundreds of miles of bike paths that crisscross the countryside taking you through forests and meadows, over hills and down to the sea.
If you want to go for a guided tour or want lessons and bike hire, Marmalade Mountain
biking offer a range of options from vineyard tours and cross country riding to forest single track days and coaching.
Oakwood West Holidays are perfectly placed to explore the South Downs, head straight out onto country roads which take you to the foot of the hills. There are plenty of pubs to explore along the way too. When you come back to your Sussex holiday cottage refresh your tired muscles in your hot tub and get ready to do it all again tomorrow!