We are in the middle of a heat wave, so the temptation was to stay in
the cool at home, however Bertie persuaded me to head out, since he needed me
to carry the water. I worked out a route starting at Goodwood racecourse
dropping over the Trundle to Charlton, then over Levin Down. Continuing
through Charlton forest up to the SDW and down the other side to Heyshott.
Along the fields on the north side of the downs before climbing back up and
over the Downs dropping through the woods once again to East Dean and back to
the racecourse carpark.
We parked in the Goodwood country park spaces at the bend in the racecourse, and
left through the end and onto one of the circular walking routes within the
country park - I cannot find map of these routes, however it goes parallel
to the road and comes out into the main racecourse car park.
The only way to cover this next bit is on the side of the road, passing the
grandstand and around the end, until we could take the Monarch's way heading up
the Trundle.
After a short climb we came out onto the slopes below the ramparts for the Iron
age fort. Over the ramparts above and across to the trig point.
Looking south to the coast
Looking North to the south downs ridge
From the top there is a good view back over the racecourse, before we dropped
down to the trundle car park and on down towards Singleton.
First along the back road before the path drops down through the fields on a
segregated path.
Once down in the valley bottom, we turned around the church and across the
fields to Charlton, where we could see the path up onto Levin down.
Gradually increasing in steepness between the poppies and barley.
Through the gate and into Levin down reserve, then traversing around the side of
the down
the other side of the down we dip down before continuing to the ridge beyond
following the bottom of the valley.
A zigzag down a farm track brough us tothe valley bottom and then up another
farm track to the edge of Charlton forest. In the forest we left the bridleways
and followed a meandering route through the forest on the old forest tracks.
We regained a bridleway as we neared the ridge line and followed it up to the
skyline.
Across the SDW and up to the trig point, before turning across the field to pick
up the New Lipchis way track. This was in place of returning to the SDW and
along it.
Dropping down the northern side of the ridge on a very steep chalk path, that
eventually eased up as we approached the fields at the bottom.
The chalk track mutated into a green lane, and then a gravel track leading to
the edge of Heyshott. Then along the farm drive leading to Manor farm.
Looking back up to the track down - along the obvious nose. Before continuing
along farm tracks zigzagging through the fields below the slope up to the ridge.
We paused here for a water stop ... Bertie needed to refuel - a
whole litre later we continued.
The track edged into the woods as it traveresed along. We crossed a byway
heading up tot eh ridge - but opposite direction to where we were going. We
climbed the steps on the other side and disappeared into the woods beyond.
The track climbed up, and although it was obvious where it went, there was a lot
of debris that w had to negotiate showing it was not a regular route.
On the top, and over the SDW once again, before dropping down the south side
following a bridlepath as it curved down through the woods to the fields of
Brockhurst bottom.
Into the fields as we continue to the bottom of the bottom. A convenient water
tap allowed for a second water stop, although just a top-up. Then on
traversing into the woods on the opposite side
In the forest commission land over a slight bump on a bridleway.
The bridleway merged onto a gravel track that left the forest and headed between
fields dropping down and into the village of East Dean.
Coming out into the village and walking past the football pitch we could see the
route back up towards the racecourse. Then across the fields to get to the
woods.
A short section climbing int he woods before crossing a barley field to get to
the back road up from East Dean.
A path parallel to the racecourse road led back to the car park entrance, and the van waiting in the shade.
