Panorama of the Glynde and Mount Caburn walk in South Downs, England
Panorama of the Glynde and Mount Caburn walk in South Downs, England

Glynde and Mount Caburn hike

South Downs
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Hay bails on the Glynde and Mount Caburn Hike in South Downs, EnglandViews from the top of the Glynde and Mount Caburn Hike in South Downs, EnglandThe gate with no fence with views towards Lewes from the Glynde and Mount Caburn Hike in South Downs, EnglandThe valley below from the Glynde and Mount Caburn Hike in South Downs, EnglandView of Lewes from the Glynde and Mount Caburn Hike in South Downs, EnglandViews towards Lewes from the Glynde and Mount Caburn Hike in South Downs, EnglandThe returning trail of the Glynde and Mount Caburn Hike in South Downs, EnglandViews of Glyndebourne from Saxon Down on the Glynde and Mount Caburn Hike in South Downs, England

Glynde and Mount Caburn hike

Distance: 6.5mi
Elevation: 909ft
Time: 2.5-3.5h

Difficulty Rating:

User Ratings:
9.6 Overall Rating
Technical Difficulty
Physical Difficulty

The Glynde and Mount Caburn walk is a South Downs gem. Hike along an undulating trail from the quaint village of Glynde up to the top of Mount Caburn. From this high, South Downs vista, hikers are rewarded with spectacular views and stunning scenery. After Mount Caburn, the trail goes across the Lewes golf course and over Saxon Cross.

Glynde and Mount Caburn Walk Map

Getting there

If driving, use postcode BN8 6SS, and park in the free village car park next to the Glynde railway station. Regular trains run directly to Glynde from London and the surrounding areas.

I’ve done this 67 people have done this
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About

When to do

Year round

Backcountry Campsites

No

Toilets

Yes, in Glynde village

Family friendly

No

Route Signage

Average

Crowd Levels

Low

Route Type

Circuit


Glynde and Mount Caburn
Elevation Graph


Route Description for Glynde and Mount Caburn

Exit the Glynde railway station via platform 2 and walk through the small station car park. Turn left onto the footpath when you reach the road and follow it into Glynde village. The public toilets are next to the recreation ground on the left. When you reach Ranscombe Lane, the first lane on your left, turn down it. Then, just after the post office, turn through a gate on your right.

Follow the grassy trail straight ahead and through the gate at the top. Continue to climb uphill through the field and through another gate until you reach a third gate at the very top of the hill.

Don’t pass through this gate, instead turn left, and follow the trail into the Mount Caburn National Nature Reserve. Follow the trail up to the highest point and you’ll be rewarded with magnificent panoramic views of the surrounding downs, and even the ocean at Newhaven.

After enjoying the views return to the gate where you turned left and pass through it, following the trail downhill, through another gate, and curving through the bottom of the valley until you reach a dew pond.

Walk past the dew pond and through the gate directly ahead of you into a field. Once you’re in the field you’ll notice a post on the left, with a yellow arrow, pointing you diagonally uphill and through a gate at the top. Turn left onto the uphill trail after the gate, and then left again onto the grassy trail at the top.

Continue straight ahead on this trail until you reach a gate leading into the Lewes Golf Club. Still following the yellow arrows, walk left, past the club house and downhill on the golf club driveway. Near the bottom of the driveway a yellow arrow directs you up a short track on the right.

At this point, you can choose to follow the path we have on our website, however we also recommend exploring Lewes if you have the energy. Lewes is a wonderful village, and has a good selection of pubs, restaurant and interesting shops. To go to Lewes, don’t go up the short track on your right, instead continue ahead, the road now known as Chapel Hill. This road curves to the left and comes out on Cliffe High Street. We like to wander down the High Street, and usually stop at the Gardeners Arms for refreshment.

To return to the path, head back on Cliffe High Street and up Chapel Hill, now going left up the short-track, re-joining the path.

Whether you took a detour through Lewes or not, at the top of the track turn right, up a steep set of steps.

At the top of the steps the trail weaves directly across the entire golf course, with yellow arrows on posts marking the way. Cross over the stile at the end of the course and continue straight ahead for half a mile through the next two gates.

After the second gate follow the trail directly ahead, downhill, alongside the small patch of woodland on the left.

Go Right when you reach another dewpond. You can follow the trail and gradually climb back uphill, along the wide chalky track.

Soon you come to a fork in the track, where you go left, and then continue straight ahead over two stiles and alongside the field edge until you reach the gate on your right near Mount Caburn, which you passed through earlier. Turn left, downhill, away from the gate and return to the village of Glynde the same way you started the hike.

Insider Hints

  • Firle Campsite is only five minutes from Glynde, set in a large meadow its spacious and idyllic.

  • The Little Cottage Tea Room is an absolute treat to visit at the end, or start, of the trail. Based next to the post office in Glynde this delightful, fully licenced, tea room serves an array of drinks as well a scrumptious selection of cake.

  • The Southease and River Ouse hike is a great one to combine with your visit. Only 20 minutes by car from Glynde, but a little further by train, changing at Lewes along the way.

Comments

sarahcullen36@googlemail.com 3 years ago

Great walk, wet and windy day but did manage to see some of the views

8.0 Overall Rating
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Brad P. 4 years ago

You don't have to cross country to find a great place to hike! Don't be a tourist in your own country.

10.0 Overall Rating
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RobPeterson 4 years ago

quite a long hike. but they definitely enjoyed the amazing views.

9.0 Overall Rating
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Physical Difficulty
3h 25m Time Taken
Squarepants11 4 years ago

This place is simply inspiring! I had plenty of ideas about my project after exploring here!

9.0 Overall Rating
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Physical Difficulty
3h 30m Time Taken
JJenkins 4 years ago

The ocean and surrounding views are stunning!

10.0 Overall Rating
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3h 00m Time Taken
skywalker786 4 years ago

It's always rewarding to see the magnificent views at the highest point. It makes me realise that nothing can really beat nature, that's why we should take care of it!

10.0 Overall Rating
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3h 30m Time Taken
Reecewill178 4 years ago

Ace views! This hike is a real gem!

10.0 Overall Rating
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Physical Difficulty
3h 30m Time Taken
Allbitenobark 4 years ago

Most favorite hike of my wife! She enjoyed the hike and our visit to The Little Cottage Tea Room. She talked about the classic cream tea till we get home!

10.0 Overall Rating
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3h 00m Time Taken
Sarah Potts 4 years ago

Great panoramic views of the downs and Lewes Castle from the top. Nice!

10.0 Overall Rating
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4h 00m Time Taken
MarianneW. 4 years ago

A pleasant sanctuary that would make you feel like a brand new person.

10.0 Overall Rating
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31 Comments Show all

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