The day was not as good as yesterday, but still clear although misty. I had worked out a route that started at the Trundle (above Goodwood racecourse), and crossed over to Kingley Vale, then dropped back down towards West Stoke, then East Lavant. Here picking up the Sussex Literary Trail, back up to meet the outward leg. From here dropping onto the Centurion trail (there was a new section from here up to West Dean) before returning up to the Trundle via the Monarch's Way.
I parked the van in the Trundle car park, overlooking the south coast, and left across Haye's Down, with views across to Kingley Vale.
Down towards the junction of paths (Sussex Literary Trail, New Lipchis way, and Centurions way) and across all of them to continue up to the A286.
Over the road and down Binderton Lane, and its continuation as the back road peeled away.
The lane continued and I stayed on it (now a farm track) until it turned down to Crows hall farm.
The path then zigzagged down to the B2141 (at the hedge below), then over the road and into the fields beyond for the climb up to Kingley Vale.
Leaving the road onto a farm track that rapidly deteriorated as it crossed a fallow field. The path left any form of track as it climbed into the corner of the field.
Here the obvious track led into the yew trees - luckily there was no undergrowth around. The marked track was to my right but getting to it involved crossing lots of brambles, so I stayed in the trees climbing steeply before crossing over to the track once the brambles had cleared (near the top).
Finally coming out onto the wide bridleway that followed the ridge line climbing gently (now) towards Brow hill trig point.
At the earthworks gave the first view down to the coast. then just before the trig point I took the path back down on an angle. The path followed a tunnel through the trees.
Leaving the Kingley vale reserve opened up the view to Thorney and Hayling Islands. Then onward down to a crossroads of paths.
Across the crossroads and up and over Stoke Clump.
More views towards Portsmouth harbours.
Then continuing to drop down past a small quarry and fields (between hedges) down to a back road.
There was now no obvious footpaths and I had to walk along the road to the stables of Oldwick farm. Just past the farm was a track crossing behind the farm to join a lane.
The lane/ farm track became a footpath as it passed the Little Oldwick house, to another back road.
Here I was hoping for a local path alongside a solar farm, which turned out to be a popular cut through. This saved more road tramping!
The path joined up with a marked trail at the end of the solar farm and across a ploughed field to cross the Centurions way.
More road tramping before I could escape into a field.
Over the field then a sharp turn, after which I realised I could have cut the corner as it entered into a cricket pitch.
Along to the start of a gravel track (this was actually part of the Sussex Literary Trail).
Along this parallel to the Centurions way which is all tarmacked at this end
The trail follows the River Lavant on the east bank up passing Mid Lavant on the far side.
Staying on this path until it met my outward trace. Here I zigzagged back onto the Centurions way - it is gravel at this point.
Now on the new section heading towards West Dean.
There was a section where it stepped around some farm buildings, then curved back towards the A286, eventually going under it using a bridge.
The Centurions way ends at the site of the old West Dean station. Here it was necessary to drop down onto the back road below.
The back road went back into the village and over the A286 opposite the pub.
Continuing down the lane beside the pub passing the village shop to the (now dry) river banks.
Now on the Monarch's way along the boundary wall of the West Dean estate.
The track climbed up beside Westside plantation and the estate wall.
Into Calhouns plantation beside the West Dean estate Arboretum, and finally joining the start of the walk beside a house.
back to the van in the car park for some refreshments looking down to Chichester and the coast.
