FILL YOUR BOOTS
Post-pandemic, UK active holidays will never be so popular. And while we may live on a small-ish island, it’s not so small that you can’t find remote regions to hike in. There are hundreds of long-distance footpaths and national trails available, across all four of the home nations. Here are 12 of the best…
SOUTH DOWNS WAY, ENGLAND (EASTERN SECTION)
DISTANCE 28 miles
START Amberley
FINISH Lewes
DIFFICULTY
DESCRIPTION Even hiking virgins won’t be too taxed by the South Downs Way, an ancient droving route across South East England. The terrain of the eastern section features slightly steeper hills and offers great views from Amberley Mount, Chanctonbury Ring, Devil’s Dyke and Ditchling Beacon. Train stations at the start and finish will allow you to complete the section in a weekend.
HIKER’S HACK Head west to east to benefit from the prevailing winds, but bear in mind this leaves the tougher hills until the end.
Phil Waldman is an osteopath from Brighton and Hove. He has walked the eastern section many times. “As you head further east, you start getting steeper sections, climbing up onto and dropping down from the long ridges,” he says. “You end up walking
