Whether you want to go out with family, go electric or go alone, Sussex cycle paths are a great way to see and explore Sussex. So here’s a round up of some of the main cycle routes in Sussex:
Centurion Way, West Sussex
This runs from Chichester to West Dean and is about 9 km long. It’s flat and easy with some interesting sculptures along the way. It’s all off road and is part of NCN 288. There is a coffee shop in West Dean and you can join this route up with Salterns Way and cycle on to West Wittering. For more info visit: Centurion Way.
Salterns Way, West Sussex
This 19 km cycle path takes you from Chichester across Chichester Harbour to West Wittering and East Head. Most, but not all of it is off road and it’s pretty flat and very tranquil. There are places to recuperate along the way including Itchenor, Chichester Marina and West Wittering. For more info visit: Salterns Way
Pagham Harbour to Medmerry Nature Reserve, West Sussex
At only 3 km long, this is a flat and easy off road path that joins Pagham Nature Reserve to Medmerry Nature Reserve on the Manhood Peninsula. There is parking and a small café at the Pagham Harbour Visitor Centre. For more info visit: Pagham to Medmerry cycle route.
Downs Link, West Sussex
As the name suggests, the Downs Link joins the North and the South Downs along a disused railway route. It’s 59 km long and runs from Cranleigh (just over the Sussex border in Surrey) to Shoreham. It’s almost all off road and is reasonably flat. It’s part of the NCN route 223. There are a number of places to refuel on route including the Milk Churn at Rudgwick, Bax Castle near Southwater and The Cabin at Henfield. For more info visit: The Downs Link.
South Downs Way, West and East Sussex
The South Downs Way is a bridleway and walking trail that runs from Winchester to Eastbourne. It is 160 km long and very hilly! There are a number of places to eat and refuel on the way, and for more info, visit The South Downs Way.
Worth Way, West to East Sussex
This 11 km route from Three Bridges to East Grinstead is along a disused railway and a fairly well maintained path. Grab something to eat in Three Bridges before you set off or when you arrive in East Grinstead.
Forest Way, East Sussex
This 16 km traffic-free route from East Grinstead to Groombridge is along a disused railway. For those that want a longer ride, start in Three Bridges and cycle the Worth Way and then join up with Forest Way. Stop in Forest Row where you’ll find plenty of cafés. For more info visit: Forest Way.
Cuckoo Trail, East Sussex
A 23 km off road cycle path from Heathfield to Polegate with a number of sculptures along the way. There is a Cuckoo Trail pop up café between Maynards Green and Heathfield.
The Undercliff Path, East Sussex
As the name suggests, this route goes from Brighton (just east of the marina) to Saltdean below the cliffs. It’s about 5 km long and there are cafés at Ovingdean and Saltdean. It’s also part of NCN route 2. For more info visit: Undercliff Path
The National Cycle Network
The National Cycle Network (NCN) is a UK-wide network of signed paths and routes for walking, wheeling, cycling and exploring outdoors. NCN routes use a combination of shared use paths, disused railways, minor roads, canal towpaths and traffic-calmed routes in towns and cities.
NCN route 2
This long distance route runs through Sussex on its way from Dover to Cornwall. It enters Sussex just to the east of Rye. From Rye and Winchelsea, it runs along or close to the coast before going inland at Pevensey to Polegate, Berwick and Alfriston and then back down to the coast at Seaford. From there, it carries on close to or along the coast to Bognor Regis where once again it goes inland a little and up to Chichester before leaving West Sussex just north of Thorney Island.
NCN route 21
Route 21 runs from Greenwich through Lewisham to Crawley, and then via East Grinstead and Eridge to Heathfield and Eastbourne. It includes the Cuckoo Trail.
NCN route 90
This runs from Brighton to Polegate via Lewes. The Brighton to Lewes section starts on some busy roads but with some cycle lane sections and then via a shared path off road at Falmer until Lewes where you re-join the road. The Lewes to Polegate section is via an excellent off road path.
Avenue Verte
This international cycle route starts at the London Eye and ends at Notre Dame in Paris. It passes through West and East Sussex, entering the county at Crawley, following Forest Way and the Cuckoo Trail to Polegate and then heading down the NCN route 2 to Newhaven.
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