Mountain Biking in the South Downs National Park

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Mountain biking in the South Downs National Park (Tim Foster/Unsplash)

With scores of trails linking into each other, the South Downs National Park is an amazing destination for mountain bikers for all levels of ability. Your choices here include off-road trails on some seriously challenging chalk grassland terrain, or gentler pedals through ancient yew forest for all the family. Along the way, you’ll come across welcoming café and pub stops, and hopefully fit in some wildlife spotting as well – keep your eyes peeled for red kites, fallow deer and owls swooping at twilight.

The Pitchup guide to the best South Downs mountain bike routes covers our favourite trails, including the arduous long-distance South Downs Way. Whether you’re a hardcore off-roader, a cycling novice or looking for some outdoor fun and exercise with the kids, we’ve got all the insider information you need.

Best mountain bike trails in the South Downs National Park

There’s mountain biking for all levels in the South Downs National Park (Lorenzo Chirato/Unsplash)

Queen Elizabeth Country Park 

This popular family destination has two permissive MTB trails; you can buy cycling trail maps at the park’s visitor centre, and pre-book to hire electric mountain bikes – a great choice to make pedalling easier for young legs. 

Blue Trail

Distance: 3.5 miles (5.7km)

Difficulty: Blue – intermediate

Start: Gravel Hill car park

This moderate trail has gentle climbs and fun descents, and it's suitable for intermediate riders.

Red Trail 

Distance: 4.6 miles (7.4km) circuit  

Difficulty: Red – advanced

Start: Any car park in the country park

A challenging single-track route with technical sections, steep climbs on loose surfaces and swooping descents.

Queen Elizabeth Country Park's mountain bike training hub near Benhams car park is a good place to sharpen your technique before hitting the main trails. Professional coaching is available for novice riders, and there’s a short track to practise on.

Good to know: There’s a café and shop at the visitor centre, as well as numerous walking trails and a play area for the non-cyclists in your party.

Butser Hill from Lovedean

Distance: 22.5 miles (36.25 km) loop

Difficulty: Blue/red – intermediate/advanced

Start: Catherington Lane car park

Ensure your bike is in good condition for the varied terrain of this circular trail through open downland and open-access grazing land. Be prepared for some very steep ascents (you may have to get off and push, especially after rain) on loose and rocky ground up to the summit of Butser Hill, at 889 feet (271 m) the highest point on the South Downs Way. However, the rewards are great – especially the fantastic views and the flying descent back down Butser Hill. Be mindful of other trail users and several bumpy sections as you go! 

Good to know: You’ll be pleased to see Butser Roundhouse Café after pedalling up that hill – it’s also got fabulous views across the downs.

Starting the kids off young will inspire them with a lifelong love of mountain biking (Darcy Lawrey/Pexels)

Chanctonbury Ring

Distance: 9 miles (14.5 km) loop

Difficulty: Blue – intermediate

Start: Steyning car park

Combine physical exercise and a history lesson on this scenic mountain bike trail taking in forest trails and open downland. Ride on packed chalk rising up to the Iron Age hill fort and ancient Roman temple remains at Chanctonbury Ring, where there are far-reaching views over the downs and Wiston Estate. Drop back down to Cissbury Ring, the biggest hill fort in the national park, which sits high on a chalk promontory – on clear days you can see the Seven Sisters and Isle of Wight. From there, join the Downs Link cycle path along the River Adur flood plain and back to Steyning. 

Good to know: Take a map/GPS app and be prepared for some technical sections and steep ascents.

South Downs Way 

Distance: 100 miles (160km)

Difficulty: All abilities 

Start/end: Winchester and Eastbourne

On the bucket list of many competent MTB riders, the South Downs Way is one of the most demanding long-distance trails in the UK. It cuts the South Downs National Park neatly in half (east to west), taking in spectacular chalk downs, perilously steep climbs, adrenaline-pumping descents and expansive coastal views on the way.

With a total of 12,600ft (3,800m) of ascent, it’s a test of physical strength rather than technical prowess, and normally takes two to four days to ride. Supremely fit bikers can rise to the South Downs mountain-bike challenge and ride this route in a day – Trail Break organises several supported one-day events per year. Right at the other extreme, the trail can easily be broken up into short bites for the whole family to tackle.

Good to know: If you’re planning on completing the whole of the South Downs Way on a bike, ensure you have a detailed map, plenty of water, adequate supplies and campsites/accommodation booked well in advance.

10 rules for mountain biking in the park

Practise your MTB skills before hitting the trails in Queen Elizabeth Country Park (Ruben Christen/Unsplash)

Follow these rules for safe, courteous mountain biking in the South Downs National Park.

  • Only ride off road on bridleways, restricted byways and byways.

  • Don’t cycle off road on the SDW as the land is littered with ancient burial mounds.

  • Ride with control and at a safe speed to prevent trail erosion.

  • Give way to walkers and horse riders on bridleways. Make sure they know you’re there with a friendly shout or ring of a bell before you pass them slowly and at a good distance.

  • Large groups, please ride in bunches of three or four. 

  • Always leave gates and property as you found them, especially when traversing farmland.

  • Keep dogs under close control around farm animals. 

  • Maintain your bike; check brakes and tyres before you ride and always have a repair kit and spare inner tube with you.

  • Take your litter home.

  • When resting, please stop to one side of the trail to allow others to pass.

Mountain bike services

Read on for Pitchup’s summary of MTB-friendly facilities within the national park.

Mountain bike hire

Can’t travel with your bike or don't have one? No problem! 

  • The park authority has a list of repair repair facilities across the region.

  • You can hire bikes in shops at Winchester, Petersfield, Brighton, Lewes and Eastbourne.

  • Mobility scooters can be rented at Queen Elizabeth Country Park.

  • Visitors with limited mobility can rent a scooter at Cadence Cycle Club in Cocking to access the South Downs Way.

Guided cycle tours

If you’d feel more confident with an expert guide to show you the best mountain biking spots in the South Downs, try the following: 

  • Beyond the Mud offers guided adventures on well-known and less-ridden trails, always ending up at convivial watering spots in the park.

  • Three-hour guided tours with Adventuro will have you cycling blue and red trails on chalky climbs and swift descents with confidence.

  • Novice rider? Marmalade MTB has you covered with group or private off-road rides.

Mountain biking events 

Join August’s annual South Downs Bike & BBQ shindig for gravel and mountain bikes. There are three circular routes dependent on experience, all starting from from Duncton Village Hall, and with the hardest being a challenging 29-mile (47-km) trail. 

When you’re looking for accommodation in the South Downs National Park, check out Pitchup’s collection of bike-friendly campsites. Having a shot at the South Downs Way? Follow our expert advice on where to camp along your journey. 

If you’re after further MTB inspo, check out more South Downs routes on AllTrails, and when you’re planning future breaks, read up on our guides to mountain biking on Exmoor and Dartmoor.