Top 5 woodland dog walks in west sussex
Dog owners in West Sussex often ask me for recommendations on great woodland dog walks to take their four-legged friends. I have decided to write about my 5 favourite walks in and around the Bognor & Chichester area.
All locations offer a circular route and I have kept the duration of each walk to between 1 and 1 1/2 hours but there are many options to extend or reduce these routes. I have included some additional route information at the foot of this blog to help you further.
1. Kingley Vale, West Sussex
Photograph taken during a dog walk at Kingley Vale, West Sussex. To learn more about Portrait Sessions, click here
Google Map for parking: https://maps.app.goo.gl/3QPc1ewj5QMNzbpn7
Car-park Charges: No
If you have access to Ordnance Survey Maps, you can access my route via this link: https://explore.osmaps.com/route/22046694/kingley-vale?lat=50.884033&lon=-0.843330&zoom=13.8976&style=Leisure&type=2d
If you use What3Words, use this link to navigate to the car park: https://w3w.co/cobbled.flank.trending
Distance: 3.47 miles Time: 1.5 hours
Terrain: Mix of wide, flat, uneven, narrow, steep uphill and downhill sections, stone/flint, grass
Route Difficulty: Moderate
Dog Bins: Yes
Toilet Facilities: No Food/Drink Facilities: No
Eateries Closeby: Horse & Groom Pub at East Ashling https://thehorseandgroom.pub or Fox ~& Hounds at Funtington https://foxandhoundsfuntington.co.uk
This is a lovely dog walk in West Sussex with amazing views when you reach the top. You can either follow the route below or enter the Nature Reserve through the gates and follow the Nature Trail, which is approximately 2 miles long.
From the north end of the car park, pass through the and up the footpath, heading North.
The path passes between some fields and woods until you reach the entrance to the National Nature Reserve.
The reserve has its own nature trail and network of footpaths, but I enjoy the walk up the bridleway running up the western edge of the reserve because of the great views you get from this path down to the sea.
So don’t enter the Reserve, but instead, turn left and walk west along its southern edge for about 100 metres and turn right onto the bridleway, which heads north between the Reserve and a large field. Don’t miss the opportunity as you walk up this hill to look over your left shoulder at the great view down to Chichester Harbour and beyond.
At the end of the field on your left, branch right onto the bridleway that heads north along the edge of the Reserve, rather than the bridleway that swings left.
Continue up through the woods as the path swings slowly round to the right and brings you to the top of the hill.
Climb one of the tumuli at the top of the hill for a rest and an opportunity to take in the fantastic panoramic views.
Come down from your viewing point and follow the footpath in a northeast direction. Keep right as the path enters the Reserve and curve slowly right downhill along the top of the valley
Continue on this path until you join the line of the nature trail and begin to see signposts.
The footpath turns right and down through the yew forest for which Kingley Vale is so well known. This is a truly unusual experience in the dark forest, with these organic and ancient trees winding around you. Some date back 2000 years and are some of the oldest living things on earth.
Stay on the nature trail, following the signs and heading south until it brings you down to the visitor centre at the entrance to the Reserve.
Pass through the gate and retrace your steps south on the footpath to the car park where you started.
2. SELHURST PARK, West Sussex
Photograph taken during a dog walk at Selhurst Park, Goodwood, Chichester, West Sussex. To learn more about Portrait Sessions, click here
Google Map for parking: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6b51PjLSv1KkzSK77
Car-park Charges: No
If you have access to Ordnance Survey Maps, you can access my route via this link: https://explore.osmaps.com/route/22065936/selhurst-park-car-park?lat=50.903322&lon=-0.687448&zoom=14.8461&style=Leisure&type=2d
If you use What3Words, use this link to navigate to the car park: https://w3w.co/scribbled.breed.increased
Distance: 3.02 miles Time: 1.25 hours
Terrain: Mix of wide, flat, uneven, narrow, steep uphill, steep downhill, grass, stone, woodland
Route Difficulty: Hard
Dog Bins: No
Toilet Facilities: No Food/Drink Facilities: No
Eateries Closeby: The Fox Goes Free Pub https://www.thefoxgoesfree.com or The Star & Garter Pub https://www.thestarandgarter.co.uk or The Farmer Butcher Chef Pub https://www.goodwood.com/visit-eat-stay/farmer-butcher-chef/
This is a lovely walk through Selhurst Park and there is a good chance you will see deer here! The trail is tougher in places with steep parts going up and down, especially after rain. Great for a lovely woodland walk that gets your heart pumping!
1. Enter the woods from the car park then after a short distance., turn left onto the main path, which runs parallel to Selhurst Road. Be mindful that you are not too far from the road, so keep your dog close by.
2. After approx 10mins pass through some yellow poles and after a short distance, you’ll see a Public bridleway sign. Turn right and follow the path downhill.
3. After approx 10 mins, another path joins from the left. Stay on the same path ahead and continue downhill. It is a little steeper here.
4. Continue on this downhill path and after it bends to the right there is a t-junction. There is a road to the left so keep your dog close. Turn right right and walk uphill.
5. Continue uphill for approximately 8 minutes and then take the path to the left. It is initially pretty steep uphill but then levels out a little, but still continues on an uphill incline.
6. After approximately 5 mins of uphill walking, it levels off. You will reach a crossroads, continue ahead.
7. There is a short downhill stretch and the path bears to the right. Go straight ahead and downhill. The path becomes narrower and quite overgrown.
8. You will reach a fork in the path. Walk left and uphill, it is quite steep here.
9. Continue upwards until you reach a t-junction with a direction post in front of you. Turn right.
10. Walk up the hill for approximately 5 minutes until the paths split. Ignore the first 2 paths to the left but continue to the right. You are now on the homeward stretch. This path runs parallel to Selhurst Road, so again keep your dog close by.
11. Pass a 5m height limit sign and continue on this path until you see the car park and your starting point to your left.
3. Slindon woods, West Sussex
Photograph taken during a dog walk at Slindon Woods, Chichester, West Sussex. To learn more about Portrait Sessions, click here
Google Map for parking: https://maps.app.goo.gl/M1DVvmukbwtPH8mQ8
If you have access to Ordnance Survey Maps, you can access my route via this link: https://explore.osmaps.com/route/22066028/slindon-woods?lat=50.863178&lon=-0.648553&zoom=14.6837&style=Leisure&type=2d
If you use What3Words, use this link to navigate to the car park: https://w3w.co/orchids.dark.deflation
Distance: 2.92 miles Time: 1 hour
Terrain: Mix of wide, flat, uneven, narrow, uphill, downhill, grass, stone, woodland
Route Difficulty: Easy
Dog Bins: Yes
Toilet Facilities: No Food/Drink Facilities: No.
Eateries Closeby: The Spur Pub at Slindon http://www.thespurslindon.co.uk or The Forge Tea Rooms https://slindonforge.co.uk
Roads surround Slindon Woods on all four sides, so it is very easy to extend or reduce this walk without straying too far from your vehicle! There are many different paths and as long as you don’t cross one of these roads, you will always remain within the woodland confines. There are 2 car parks at opposite ends, one from Dukes Road and the other, Park Lane. This route starts from the latter, but both car parks have height restrictions so be mindful if you have a motorhome!
Having parked your car, walk back towards the road and go through a gate on your right.
Walk along this wide path until it deviates to the right. Take the narrower path straight ahead and follow it to the end.
When you reach a T-junction, turn right and walk for approximately 1 minute, taking the second path on your left.
After a little while, the path joins the main, wider woodland path, which you should follow until it deviates to the right. Take the narrower path straight ahead and follow it downhill to the end.
At the bottom of the hill is a T-junction. Turn right and walk along this path for a few minutes, passing a couple of narrow paths on your left that go back on themselves. Ignore these, instead, take a slightly wider path on the left. After a short distance you’ll see a blue rope hanging from a tree limb directly over the path.
Continue along this path until you see another path to your right adjacent to a large tree with moss-covered roots. Turn right here
You will come to a crossroads, where a larger path crosses yours. Go straight ahead and uphill.
After a minute or two the path divides, take the right path. You will see evidence of deforestation here.
At the top, you’ll meet a path. Turn right here and walk downhill.
A short while later, the path splits. You can choose to continue on the wide stoney path or take the narrower to the left which runs parallel.
Follow either path, it will bear to the left but continue on it until you reach a crossroads.
Turn left and follow the line of trees until you see a wooden post just before you enter a darker section of wood. Follow the path to the right and then left onto the main path that you entered at the beginning of the walk.
Go back through the gate and turn left into the car park.
4. eartham woods, West Sussex
Google Map for parking: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xe2QZrch24BgfdN87
If you have access to Ordnance Survey Maps, you can access my route via this link: https://explore.osmaps.com/route/22252546/eartham-woods?lat=50.895244&lon=-0.665510&zoom=14.1190&style=Standard&type=2d
If you use What3Words, use this link to navigate to the car park: https://w3w.co/stiletto.clay.sport
Distance: 3.9 miles Time: 1 hour 20 mins
Terrain: Mix of wide, flat, uneven, narrow, uphill, downhill, grass, stone, woodland
Route Difficulty: Moderate
Dog Bins: Yes
Toilet Facilities: No Food/Drink Facilities: No.
Eateries Closeby: The George Pub at Eartham https://thegeorgeeartham.com/index.html
1. As you enter the car park, try to park in the first area on your right as the path you want to take starts there.
2. Follow this path to the end and turn left. You will see a long, uphill straight path ahead. It’s a steady incline & not too challenging!
3. Stay on this path for approximately 10 mins until you see another path to your right with a wooden post on your left. Turn right here
4. This path inclines and is slightly more challenging. Continue for another 10 mins until you reach a crossroads. Continue ahead.
5. You will reach a t-junction where you turn right and follow the path downhill into a darker area of woodland.
6. You will reach an area where multiple paths meet. If you imagine you are approaching a roundabout, take the 4th exit, downhill.
7. There is an uphill stretch where again, multiple paths converge. Turn right here, the path inclines & declines but isn’t too steep.
8 Continue along the path to the left, ignoring the path to your right. You will then reach another path on your right that takes you into the woods. Take this path.
9. At the t-junction turn left and walk a short distance until you see another path to your right. Take this path
10. After a short distance take the path on your left and walk back to the car park.
5. WHITEWAYS, West Sussex
Photograph taken during a dog walk at Houghton Forest, Whiteways, Arundel, West Sussex. To learn more about Portrait Sessions, click here
Google Map for parking: https://maps.app.goo.gl/N6RukG2DVqsMddYx7
If you have access to Ordnance Survey Maps, you can access my route via this link: https://explore.osmaps.com/route/15510442/whiteways?lat=50.895432&lon=-0.594413&zoom=14.5331&style=Leisure&type=2d
If you use What3Words, use this link to navigate to the car park: https://w3w.co/underline.tailing.skewed
Distance: 3.23 miles Time: 1 hour 15 mins
Terrain: Mix of wide, flat, uneven, narrow, uphill, downhill, grass, stone, woodland
Route Difficulty: Moderate
Dog Bins: Yes
Toilet Facilities: Yes Food/Drink Facilities: Yes
Eateries Closeby: Whiteways Cafe located in the car park
This is a hilly location and the route will take you both up and down hill through some lovely woodland areas. Some of the tracks are quite wide, others are narrower. It is a lovely quiet walk although becomes quite busy at weekends.
1. The footpath can be accessed from the middle of the car park on its northern side.
2. The stone and gravel path takes you downhill for approximately 15 mins. Pass a green Bridle Way sign until you reach a fork in the path. Take the left path and follow ‘The Monarch’s Way’ posts.
3. The path will take you uphill. The first part of this stretch is fairly steep and will get the pulse racing but it does level out a bit the further you go. You’ll be going uphill for approximately 25 minutes depending on your pace.
4. You will come to another post that indicates that ‘The Monarch’s Way’ continues ahead in a northerly direction, but you will turn right here. You will see you are on the correct path if a fallen tree is across the path. Continue downhill
5. When you reach an open area where paths from all directions converge, carry on straight ahead and continue down the hill.
6. You will walk through a darker patch of woodland and when you emerge the path continues ahead and to the left. There is also a path on the right. Turn right here. The path starts quite narrow but gradually becomes wider as you continue downhill.
7. You will then reach a wide open space where several paths converge. Walk straight ahead and travel up the hill.
8. You are now retracing your steps back to the car park.
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED HAVING PHOTOS TAKEN OF YOUR dog BUT NEVER GOT AROUND TO IT?
Why not learn more about my canine fine art and lifestyle portrait sessions below?
GENERAL ROUTE INFORMATION
Route Duration:
These routes are calculated at a 3 mph pace
Route Difficulty:
Easy: Mostly flat terrain and not too physically challenging
Moderate: Either prolonged steady uphill and/or downhill stretches, or short steep uphill/downhill stretches that will get the heart pumping!
Difficult: Quite challenging terrain in places and/or long steep uphill and/or downhill stretches.
Ordnance Survey:
If you register for a free account you can access my routes, which you can follow on your phone as you walk. Click the link below to Register:
https://bit.ly/4ckyLJn or Go To https://explore.osmaps.com/ and look for the Register page.
What3Words:
This tool divides the Earth into 3-meter squares, each with a set of three words. It gives a specific location for you to find, and each of my walks includes a W3W link to the starting car park. Click on the link provided, select the ‘Navigate’ option and choose which tool you would like to use to navigate to the starting location. Go to https://what3words.com for more information.
With their proximity to the Southdwons Way, many of these routes contain some steep up and downhill sections. that will elevate the heart rate. If you’d like me to write another blog on easier and flatter dog walks, please send me a message (contact details below).
If there is enough interest, I will also happily add more locations in future posts as there are so many other beautiful walks nearby and further afield! Also, if you have any amazing woodland locations you’d like to share, I’d love to hear from you!
Email: jo@joannajones.uk
Mobile: 07341 213703 (I’m also on WhatsApp)