This is a delightful ramble of eight and a half miles across the downs starting at the Trundle, passing
thorough West Dean, up to Hylters Lane then returning via Singleton. There are stunning views at many points of the walk as it meanders through some very peaceful countryside.
The start is at the car park at the foot of the Trundle so the first few steps are up to the top where, on a good day you can literally see for miles. There's a good view of Goodwood to the east, chichester to the south then the harbour to the West before you turn off towards Chalk Pit lane.
It's pleasant going downhill past The Rubbing House and into a lane running alongside a flint wall downhill through the woods. Plenty of gates showing that it's the West Dean Estate and all too soon you come out into the open where the lane leads into West Dean itself. From the picture you can tell that it's spring as the Lavant was in full flood. The willows that lined it's bank had just been pollarded so looked strangely bare. Crossing the road you follow a metalled road up the hill under a disused railway bridge.
Soon after the bridge you can leave the road and enter the woods again as you climb uphill towards the farmland at the top. Here the fields had recently been sown and the footpath obliterated but it's line was clear from the styles.
It's a pleasant change to but out in the open in a relatively empty fold of the hills.
Hylters lane, with it's well made up surface enables you to travel a bit faster which is compensation for the occasional tractor that impedes progress. Once you leave the road a well made track past some piles of logs opens up. I smile seeing a cover crop for game marked prominently as a nature conservation area.
It's then all downhill past Colworth Farm where we see the first of two Kites circling round; clearly well established now. There's a mix of woodland and grazing; as it's spring there's plenty of lambs protected by their mothers so Bonnie stays (reluctantly) on a lead.
Soon the village of Singleton is in sight at the foot of the hill which is soon reached after crossing the old railway once more and fording a stream.
The Partridge is an optional stop but although a coffee would be welcome there's rain in the air and it's prudent to carry on whilst it's still relatively dry. Just past the church there's a path that leads up the hill and back though some downland to the Trundle.
