Well, after all the wind and rain through the night, I thought our walk
would be looking dodgy. Even more so when I looked out of the window at
0730 .... not at all good! However, things can change quickly ...... and it
did, holes started to appear in the clouds revealing rich blue sky. So, a
hasty breakfast and kit packed, Clare and I were heading north from Denmead
on the A3(M) for Harting Down car park, overlooking the small village of
South Harting.
By 1000 we were on our way out of the car park south through woods in the
direction of Telegraph House. Very muddy under foot, but plenty of sunshine
to make the walking pleasant. We soon reached The Royal Oak pub at
Hooksway, (out-of-the-way pub with great food and beer) and continued south
to just above The White Horse at Chilgrove. Short stretch of country lane
walking up to Yewtree Cottage, then back onto tracks heading up to the South
Downs Way. We joined the South Downs Way at Monkton, up from Hooksway, and
headed west. Dropping down from Treyford Hill to old Buriton Farm, it was
then over Pen Hill and Beacon Hill to return over Harting Down to the car.
We encountered strong wind from the west going over Pen Hill and Beacon
Hill, but we had been in plenty of glorious sunshine in reasonable shelter
for most of the walk.
Fantastic days walk on the South Downs.
Distance 9.6 miles
Total ascent: 1614 ft
Max Height: 771 ft
Some photos from along the route at my website, address below.
--
sandy saunders @ www.thewalkzone.co.uk
'Mountains or Mole Hills ... summiting still
brings the same excitement'