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Long Man of Wilmington – Firle Beacon summit loop from Polegate

Routes

Mountain biking trails

Long Man of Wilmington – Firle Beacon summit loop from Polegate

Hard

4.8

(20)

228

riders

Long Man of Wilmington – Firle Beacon summit loop from Polegate

06:44

73.6km

1,420m

Mountain biking

Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: June 18, 2026

Tips

Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route

After 252 m for 62 m

After 73.3 km for 62 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

5.65 km

Long Man of Wilmington

Highlight • Monument

At 235 feet (72 m) tall, the Long Man of Wilmington is said to be the largest representation of a human form in Europe. However, despite its size and enduring …

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8.83 km

South Downs Way: Alfriston to Lewes

Highlight (Segment) • Natural

This section has recently been resurfaced-there’s a lot of loose fine gravel.

Tip by

13.4 km

Firle Beacon summit

Highlight • Summit

Standing at 712 feet (217 m) tall, Firle Beacon affords extensive views over the South Downs. There are many ancient burial sites on and around the summit, many of which …

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20.8 km

Southease Church and Drinking Water Tap

Highlight • Historical Site

Beautiful little church dating back to 11th century, one of three churches in the Ouse Valley to have a round tower.

The bench next to church overlooks the green, and …

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25.2 km

Iford Hill Track

Highlight • Climb

Part of the South Downs Way, Iford Hill is a tough climb that'll reward you with spectacular views over chalk grassland meadows, rural farmland landscapes and to the quaint towns …

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26.3 km

View of Lewes and the Ouse Valley

Highlight • Natural Monument

The escarpment here and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The steeply sloping chalk grassland is rich in minibeasts, such as Adonis Blue and Small Blue butterflies, and the …

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36.5 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 …

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41.6 km

Bunkershill Plantation

Forest

64.6 km

Alfriston Village

Highlight • Settlement

Alfriston is a village community surrounded by the Wealden South Downs. We sit near the eastern end of the South Downs Way where this national path splits three ways, going …

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73.6 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

59.0 km

6.35 km

4.01 km

2.66 km

645 m

588 m

271 m

Surfaces

47.3 km

10.4 km

6.87 km

4.47 km

4.24 km

221 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (210 m)

Lowest point (0 m)

Weather

Monday 6 July

29°C

16°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 22.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

July 8, 2024,Clearing Up After The Masochists🤪 (South Downs 💯 Course Clearing)

Nothing like a torential rain shower 10 mins into one's ride to set you up for a marathon morning in the saddle...🌧️😓😅

October 18, 2022,South Downs way - Day 2 - to Eastbourne, start missing

Actually picked up the SDW near Upper Bedding to start but for some reason hasn't come out on the tour, so need to add a few kms on and some vertical if your considering it. I found this a very hard ride with relentless climbing, but ultimately very rewarding when eastbourne comes into view

October 1, 2025,SDW dash Day 2

Where did the sun go? When i stopped at Pyecombe to refuel at 10:00 the sun was out and it was so warm I was in shorts and shirt 😲 On October 1st! But by the time I had climbed up to the Downs the cloud had rolled in and there were constant dollops of rain drops, until Alfriston, but …

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Long Man of Wilmington – Firle Beacon summit loop from Polegate

Long Man of Wilmington

South Downs Way: Alfriston to Lewes

Firle Beacon summit

Southease Church and Drinking Water Tap

Iford Hill Track

View of Lewes and the Ouse Valley

View Over Plumpton from Streat Hill

Alfriston Village

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