West Sussex · United Kingdom
Hassock to Shoreham-by-Sea
Just under an hour by train from London, this walk takes you from the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park to the coast, following historic trails, ancient paths, and some of the most stunning scenery in southern England.
Highlights include:
Follow sections of the iconic South Downs Way, one of England's most famous long-distance walking routes
Discover parts of the Downs Link, a scenic trail connecting the North Downs and South Downs through beautiful countryside
Experience the stunning chalk grasslands and open landscapes around Devil's Dyke
Follow the peaceful River Adur as the route descends towards the coast and Shoreham-by-Sea
Finish in Shoreham-by-Sea, a historic harbour town with riverside walks, coastal views, and plenty of charm
ACTIVITY OVERVIEW
📏 Distance
20.9km/12.9mi
⏱️ Duration
6 hours
📈 Elevation
390m/1,279ft
🗓 Best Season
All yea round
ESTIMATED COSTS
🚌 Transfers
~15-30 GBP
The Route
⚠️ The maps provided on this website are intended as a general guide only. Conditions, routes, and features may change at any time. Always rely on your own judgement and seek local or professional advice if possible.
🧭 Navigation Tips
Download offline maps before you go - cell signal is unreliable.
Be familiar with key safety locations and emergency shelters in case you need to bail part way.
Check weather and trail conditions before starting.
Getting to the Trail Head
🚂 Train
The are frequent trains operated by Southern Railway and Thameslink which leave every 30 minutes from London terminals. The most economical way to travel is to buy a return journey from London Victoria to Shoreham-by-Sea and get off early at Hassocks.
~15-30 GBP · 1 hr 30min
🚎 Transfer Tips
Tickets vary quite a bit depending on the time and route. The most economical journey is the direct train from London Victoria to Shoreham-by-Sea.
Railcards can provide up to 30% off the tickets during off-peak hours (after 10am on weekdays and all weekend and bank holidays).
The network railcard is valid for this journey.
If you are travelling as a group, consider getting a Daysave Group Off-Peak ticket which gives you unlimited travel on Southern Railway trains. Tickets for 3-4 adults costs 52 GBP and must be bought at least 3 days in advance.
You can purchase train tickets directly from train operators or via third party apps such as trainline which have slightly better interfaces. Please note that these apps do charge a small booking/handling fee.
Food Options
☕ Wildflower Café
The Wildflower Café is a cosy, welcoming spot offering fresh, homemade food, cakes, coffee and other refreshments.
5-15 GBP
🍻 The Devils Dyke
Refined country pub offering classic gastropub serving classic pub food, hearty meals, burgers, sandwiches and a selection of drinks
10-20 GBP
Getting Home
🚂 Train
The are frequent trains operated by Southern Railway which leave every 30 minutes from London Victoria. Ideally, you would have bought a return journey.
~15-30 GBP · 1 hr 15min
Not sure on what to bring?
The complete
hiking kit list
Everything you need to pack — from blister-prevention basics to gear that's keeps you safe and comfortable on the trail.
Terms of Use
A quick but important note for all visitors: we do our best to share high-quality, accurate information, but it’s always possible that we’ve missed something or that conditions have changed. All GPS tracks (GPX files and maps) and route suggestions are meant to be used as general guidelines—not exact instructions.
Enjoy the Content?
If any of my guides have helped you plan a trip and you’re feeling a little bit generous, consider a small donation to help keep the content coming.