Longlands Wood, Tottington Mount and Edburton Hill Loop

This 10 km / 6.2 mile loop on the northern edge of the South Downs packs a lot into a relatively modest distance: mixed woodland, open chalk downland, broad ridge views, and a couple of steep pulls that justify the medium rating. With around 200 metres / 656 feet of ascent, it is not especially long, but the climbs onto Tottington Mount and onward toward Edburton Hill can feel quite sharp, especially if the ground is wet or the chalk is greasy underfoot. The route sits in the Fulking–Edburton area of West Sussex, within the South Downs National Park, where wooded clay vales meet the bright, open escarpment above. (walkingbritain.co.uk)

The start is best understood as being near the junction of Edburton Road and Clappers Lane, Fulking, West Sussex, close to the hamlet of Tottington and within easy reach of Tottington Manor on Edburton Road, Upper Beeding as a useful landmark in the area. The surrounding lanes are narrow and rural, so drivers should expect limited roadside parking and should park considerately without blocking gates or farm access. If arriving by public transport, Fulking is one of the spring-line villages beneath the escarpment, and the wider South Downs area is commonly approached by bus from Brighton or nearby rail stations, then linked by local walking routes; checking current connections before travel is sensible because rural services can be limited. (historicengland.org.uk)

The opening section usually feels gentle by South Downs standards, leading through lower farmland and into the wooded belt around Longlands Wood. This part of the walk contrasts strongly with the exposed ridge above: underfoot you are more likely to find earthy, rooty, sometimes muddy paths rather than dry chalk. In damp months, this can be the messiest part of the loop, so waterproof footwear is often more useful than lightweight trail shoes. The woodland also reduces visibility at junctions, making it worth having the route loaded in HiiKER before setting out. (walkingbritain.co.uk)

Climbing to Tottington Mount

From Longlands Wood, the route steepens as it arcs uphill onto Tottington Mount. This is where the walk starts to earn its elevation gain. The climb is not alpine by any means, but it is sustained enough to raise the heart rate, and in summer there is relatively little shelter once you break out of the trees. As height is gained, the landscape opens quickly, with the wooded low ground behind you and the rolling chalk spine of the Downs ahead. Expect a classic South Downs mix of cropped turf, wide skies, and long views north across the Weald and south toward the higher ridge. (walkingbritain.co.uk)

Tottington Mount lies in a landscape shaped by centuries of grazing, farming, and routeways running between the Weald and the coast. The South Downs as a whole are rich in prehistoric and later archaeology, and this stretch of escarpment sits among ancient patterns of settlement, pasture, and trackways. The villages below, including Fulking and Edburton, developed along the spring line where water emerges at the junction of chalk and clay, a key reason communities formed here in the first place. (learning.southdowns.gov.uk)

Edburton Hill, views, and historic landscape

After the first main climb, the route undulates toward Edburton Hill, with a descent and another shorter rise. This section is often the most scenic part of the loop, giving a real sense of the escarpment’s scale. On clear days, the views stretch across the Adur Valley, the patchwork of fields below, and along the South Downs ridge toward better-known high points such as Devil’s Dyke and Truleigh Hill. The exposed nature of the hill means wind can be a bigger factor than distance here; even on mild days, the ridge can feel noticeably cooler than the sheltered woods below. (walkingbritain.co.uk)

Edburton Hill is also notable for its historical setting. Nearby is the site