South Downs Way Crossroads – Firle Beacon summit loop from Eastbourne

Mountain biking trails

South Downs Way Crossroads – Firle Beacon summit loop from Eastbourne

Hard

4.7

(11)

riders

South Downs Way Crossroads – Firle Beacon summit loop from Eastbourne

04:06

43.8km

940m

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: September 30, 2026

Tips

Includes very steep uphill segments

You may need to push your bike.

After 2.17 km for 220 m

After 8.12 km for 364 m

After 37.4 km for 303 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

3.82 km

South Downs Way at Eastbourne Downs

Highlight • Viewpoint

Open views across the South Downs and Eastbourne from this stretch of the South Downs Way as it runs over the golf course.

Tip by

6.00 km

South Downs Way Crossroads

Highlight • Viewpoint

This feels like a big moment in the SDW, you’re almost there!!! Keep going! Ice creams are waiting for you at the bottom the last descent!

Tip by

6.50 km

Rutted Descent in South Downs National Park

Highlight • Viewpoint

There’s a lot of walkers so respect (both ways) is required. And there’s a couple of very awkward angled ruts at the bottom plus a raised ledge so kill the speed or be set to bunny hop.

Tip by

8.65 km

Wilmington Hill on the South Downs Way

Highlight (Segment) • Natural Monument

Wilmington Hill is part of a wide open grassy stretch of the South Downs Way with wonderful sweeping views over the south coast.

Views to the southeast include that of the The Litlington White Horse, a chalk hill figure depicting a horse on Hindover Hill.

Tip by

14.3 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

21.8 km

Beddingham Hill on the South Downs Way

Highlight (Segment) • Summit

24.7 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 are visible today. According to folklore, a giant who lived on Firle Beacon killed the giant of nearby Wilmington Hill, whose body is marked by the Long Man of Wilmington.

Tip by

30.0 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 east, west and south, from the very centre of our historic village.

Around the village, visitors can enjoy the famous St Andrew's church (the "Cathedral of the South Downs"), the clergy house (the National Trust's first property) and our wide range of galleries, cafés, pubs and shops.

Tip by

43.8 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

36.6 km

4.79 km

1.44 km

851 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

22.6 km

8.55 km

7.53 km

4.67 km

426 m

< 100 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

Sunday 4 October

18°C

10°C

-- %

Additional weather tips

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Comments

July 5, 2024,Powerfly Part Two💪🏻🪰

E-bikes - Near effortless climbing up hills - ✅👍🏻

Anologue bikes - Lightness, nimbleness, handling/feel, confidence (both to ride and lack of range anxiety) ... ✅✅✅✅➕

🤔