Ringmer - Malling Down - Mount Caburn - Ringmer

Ian Runcie

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Our Iron Age ancestors knew what they wanted when it comes to properties with a view. This walk has a number of varied views, as well as the ultimate aim of the vista from Mount Caburn. South Downs features include chalkpits, dry valleys, dew-ponds and butterflies, including the Adonis Blue in August. You'll see the difference from the common blue, no problem: iridescent and black marks along the wing tips. We are going to traverse no fewer than three adjacent nature reserves. The first two are owned by the Sussex Wildlife Trust: Malling Down, based on a steep valley, is preserved for butterflies, Southerham is on a working downs farm. Mount Caburn and surrounds are a Special Area of Conservation due to the rare orchids. It is a favourite place for paragliders, but personally I prefer to have it to myself on a day, or at a time when the aerial recreators are absent.

There are a couple of steep ascents and one very steep descent.

England - South England - East Sussex - South Downs

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Flowers, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Woodland

6/24/2023 - Martin Cross

Did a slightly shorter version of this walk on a beautiful sunny day in June, starting at 7 as we were based in Lewes, and omitting the part nearest Ringmer. The guidance between 13 and 14 is vague (which side of the chalk pit?). At the end, because of overgrown bushes, we missed the way around the top of the Malling Down nature reserve and found the descent into it very challenging, it was only the allotments at the bottom which convinced us there was a way out! However, the first 75% of the walk was lovely, across beautiful open downland.