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Firle Beacon summit – South Downs Way Crossroads loop from London Road (Brighton)

Routes

Mountain biking trails

Firle Beacon summit – South Downs Way Crossroads loop from London Road (Brighton)

Hard

4.9

(21)

249

riders

Firle Beacon summit – South Downs Way Crossroads loop from London Road (Brighton)

06:22

71.0km

1,400m

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: March 4, 2026

Tips

Includes very steep uphill segments

You may need to push your bike.

After 18.6 km for 90 m

After 38.9 km for 364 m

After 58.2 km for 380 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

4.36 km

Coldean Belt

Forest

24.0 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

26.7 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

32.5 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

36.2 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

36.7 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

44.4 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

62.2 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 nationally rare and specially protected wart-biter cricket. Amongst the diverse plant life are squinancywort and eyebright – both classic medicinal herbs used to treat throat and eye infections respectively. The chalky soils and climate of the South Downs are suitable for growing wine, and a number of vineyards are making the most of conditions that are similar to the Champagne region of France.

Tip by

64.9 km

View from Newmarket Hill Mast

Highlight • Viewpoint

Just below Newmarket Hill on Drove Avenue there is a communications mast. The views of the countryside towards Brighton and beyond to the sea from here are super nice, as they are out over Falmer Road to Ditchling Beacon way in the distance. Drove Avenue is a super good track too, great on a mountain bike, or gravel bike.

Tip by

71.0 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

53.1 km

9.10 km

4.31 km

2.32 km

2.01 km

113 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

35.9 km

12.1 km

9.85 km

6.88 km

5.55 km

695 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 17 May

14°C

6°C

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Firle Beacon summit – South Downs Way Crossroads loop from London Road (Brighton)

Firle Beacon summit

South Downs Way: Alfriston to Lewes

Wilmington Hill on the South Downs Way

Rutted Descent in South Downs National Park

South Downs Way Crossroads

Alfriston Village

View of Lewes and the Ouse Valley

View from Newmarket Hill Mast

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