The moment I turned 30, something changed in me, I went from a country walk being something my mum forced us to do every Christmas, to being something I loved, as a way to get away from a screen, catch up with an old mate and clear my head of stress while embracing some beautiful views.
Now over the past 8 years, me and my mate Matt meet up once a month to head for a hike and Sussex has some amazing locations for this, whether it’s Ditchling Beacon or heading up to the Ouse Valley Viaduct.
Below I wanted to share some tips around hiking in Sussex, from what to wear to where to go.
Jack and Jill Windmills
A short distance from us is the Jack and Jill Windmills in Hassocks, a beautiful area and a relatively easy walk. You can go right up close to the windmills, while if you fancy it you can walk along the Ditchling Beacon, meaning you double up and tick off two great scenes.
This is a great circular route, while if you don’t have a car then you can take the train to Hassocks station and you can easily reach this route in no time. You’ll also pass Dew Pond with the lone tree, a famous spot along the route, as seen in the pic above.
Bolney
Bolney is a small village in West Sussex and it provides a great spot for a country walk, dropping your car off near St Mary Magdalene church.
Plus, once you reach the Bolney Wine Estate, you can always stop off for a few drinks or to pick up a bottle. The one issue we had was not wanting to carry a bottle all the way back to the car, so you could always make this your start and ending point.
We walked North from the church until we reached Mill Pond in Slaugham, which is a nice view to look out at. You walk through hills and fields around Warninglid, the most bizarre name for an area I’ve ever seen.
Seven Sisters
The Cuckmere river trail takes you down from the bus stop, which you catch from Seaford, down towards Cuckmere Haven Beach, where you can look out or climb uip Seve Sisters, somewhere I visited regularly a few years back.
This isn’t just a great place to walk, we also tried kayaking along the river which was so calm and serene. Being able to combine a hike up hills with relaxing on the beach is quite a contrast to most of the walks I’ve done around Sussex and certainly is a big appeal to visiting the area.
If you really want to push yourself, you can then walk up to the more wooden area around Westdean and through the Cuckmere Meanders.
Getting The Right Gear
When I first started out, I was wearing old trainers where the base was damaged and they had no grip as I walked up muddy hills. I had a rucksack with no straps meaning I would get back ache. I also had jackets that were either too thick and heavy, or I’d bring something light and get chilly at the top. I’ve learned a lot since then and now see the value in getting specialist items, something I often ask for Christmas.
When it comes to a bag, this SpeedPro race pack might be built for runners, but I think it’s ideal for hikers. I hate having to chuck water in a backpack and constantly stopping to get it out or keeping a small bottle in my pocket, so being able to have a sip at any point from keeping it on the handles is amazing.
It also folds up incredibly small, ideal for when you want to bring it somewhere, such as on holiday. Being waterproof, it’s ideal with the British weather which is never fully on our side. Also, as you strap it around your chest, it moves the weight from being on your lower back and means you finish your hike without aches and pains in your back, something I used to struggle with.
The next consideration is the jacket. You want something that will keep you nice and warm, especially once you’re up the peak, as the wind speeds pick up. You want something that can handle all types of weather, but you also want something light-weight in case it gets warmer and you have to hold it. This is a bit of a headache as it’s hard to find something ideal for every weather. But the Ultralite by Mac in a Sac is just that.
It’s breathable, something you really need when walking for hours, while it handled all the weather conditions that were thrown at me. Being windproof, it meant it never felt that cold, which is ideal for a thin jacket. It can also fold up very small, ideal if you want to pack it away afterwards when it gets a bit warmer.
They have an option for men and women, Raquel loved her navy blue one, while it’s also available in neon watermelon pink or white.
You can also get matching Ultralite trousers, which are lightweight and again windproof and waterproof. In case you end up venturing into the night, the trousers also have reflecting detailing, so people can spot you from their car lights. The fully taped seams also helps to prevent any heat from escaping or the wind sneaking in.
While I’m not someone that wears hats or caps, Matt always does, as the sun can burn his head in the summer and it gets colder in the winter months. While his main option is often a toasty beanie, this Ultralite Cap is a great warm weather option, as it folded up so small and barely weighted a thing, while it was waterproof and unbelievably breathable.