South Downs Way

South Downs Way
South Downs Way, looking towards Chanctonbury Ring
Length	161 km (100 mi)
Location	South Eastern England, United Kingdom
Designation	UK National Trail
Trailheads	Winchester Hampshire 51°03′47″N 1°18′25″W / 51.063°N 1.307°W / 51.063; -1.307 Eastbourne, East Sussex 50°45′04″N 0°16′08″E / 50.751°N 0.269°E / 50.751; 0.269
Use	Hiking, Cycling
Elevation
Elevation change	4,150 m (13,620 ft)
Highest point	Butser Hill, 270 m (890 ft)
Hiking details
Trail difficulty	Easy
Season	All year
Sights	Long Man of Wilmington, Chanctonbury Ring

The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath and bridleway running along the South Downs in southern England. It is one of 15 National Trails in England and Wales. The trail runs for 160 km (100 mi) from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex, with about 4,150 m (13,620 ft) of ascent and descent.

People have been using the paths and tracks that have been linked to form the South Downs Way for approximately 8000 years. They were a safer and dryer alternative to those in the wetter lowlands throughout the mesolithic era. Early occupation in the area began 2000 years after that in the neolithic era. Early inhabitants built tumuli in places on the hills and hill forts later, once tribal fighting became more common. Old Winchester Hill is an example of one of these hill forts along the path. The trail was probably used by the Romans, despite the fact that they built one of their roads across the path at Stane Street (Chichester), this use possibly evidenced by the existence of Bignor Roman Villa near Bury, nearby the path.

Of medieval historical interest, the village of Lomer, now only visible as a few small bumps in the ground, was most likely abandoned during the plague in the 14th century. The flat plain to the north of the South Downs Way, where it passes Lewes, is the site of the famous Battle of Lewes fought by Simon de Montfort, 6th Earl of Leicester and Henry III during the Second Barons' War.