Wild Horses Run Free

Wild Horses Run Free

Sunday just passed was the first blue sky Sunday since I can't remember so I was determined to pick out a new route that promised stunning views. I chose to run around in circles based on the village of Firle. There's a handy free car park in the village more or less at the trail head. The route passes east along an old coach road at the base of Firle Beacon to Alfriston Village, follows the meandering river Cuckmere towards Cuckmere Haven before turning back onto the Downs past the White Horse carved in the hill side in the [year?]. A distance of 15 miles. 

The coach road bumps up and down without any real hills providing views to the east towards Wilminton and Berwick Church. After about 6 miles one arrives in the twee village of Alfriston sitting on the river Cuckmere and home to The Clergy House owned by the Natioal Trust. Arriving early (before 9 a.m.) there's hardly a soul about - nice and peaceful - no cars too. There are only a few bridges hereabouts to take you over the river and from experience it's best to run the far side of the river bank i.e.the east bank as the west bank gets really soggy and stays that way after rain for some time. There's a bridge near the Clergy House and then later one that heads back towards the Youth Hostel further south which is the last one as far as I know until Exceat bridge. Once crossed back over to the west bank you strike out diagnally upslope to meet with the tarmac road climbing on up to Seaford. As you do, the White Horse carving is clearly visible to your left.

Meeting the road you cross straight over through a gate and climb a valley contouring around the side of Cradle Hill which is Natioal Trust Land. To the right the land owner has planted vine yards which gives a continental feel to your progress. The vines are south facing and sheltered so the spot is an excellent choice. That just leaves the weather to be good!

Suddenly one is forced into mountain goat mode in order to scale up the left slope to join up with the main grass highway here, the Coomb. This is really steep and worth pacing evenly. Once on the main path, progress is swift again and gradually height is gained until finally joining with the South Downs Way at Bo Peep. There's a car park here and a great picnic spot but the route turns west from here along the SDW which runs the full length of Firle Beacon from Alfriston to the Southease valley a distance of about 10 miles. The main climbing is over, with the path bumping along. Eventually the radio masts at Beddingham Hill come into view and just past these the route turns right and drops steeply down a part mettalled road before merging into a tarmac road leading past a pretty hamlet (Little Dene). The route has one more trick up it's sleeve. Just before the main A27 there is a track to the right which takes you back to Firle and the car park passing over a style and through a meadow before landing at the entrance to Firle place. Turning right here leads quickly back to the start point. Another time a pint at the Ram Inn hereabouts would round off the morning nicely!