The South Downs Way
Frieslands and Chanctonbury Hill

Starting at Washington, the chalky track which climbs back up onto the top of the South Downs is a real strength sapper.

Rutted, uneven and slippery when wet, you climb 120 metres or more in a kilometre.

The steepest parts, beyond Freislands Farm and next to the disused chalk pit raise you up 80 metres in the space of 400 metres - that's a gradient of 1 in 5.

I've seen people with strong legs and stronger egos mountain biking up here - a triumph of will power over common sense. It's quicker to walk for all but the strongest cyclists.

But what a sense of achievement to cycle to the top!

When you get there, take a rest and look back towards the West for a really enjoyable view of the South Downs above Storrington.

A Chanctonbury Myth?

Climbing up Chanctonbury Hill, frankly, makes me doubt the authenticity of one of the best known Sussex stories.

It's often put about that Charles Goring looked after the young saplings he planted at Chanctonbury Ring by carrying water up to them to ensure that they took to the thin chalky soil.

Anyone who has both climbed up the Chanctonbury Hill OR carried a large bucket of water any reasonable distance will know that doing both at the same time is a ridiculous proposition.

Remembering that Charles Goring was just a boy at the time makes me think the story cannot be true - unless he was assisted by a coterie of muscular servants, in which case the tale loses some of its charm.

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