3 days, 182 kilometres, 3,880 metres of elevation gain. I section-hiked the trail in September 2025: here’s the journey, day-by-day.
Thinking about tackling the trail yourself? Check out my South Downs Way: How-To post.
The Stats
Trip Summary
- Start date: 6 September 2025
- Days hiked: 3
- End date: 21 September 2025
Distance & Elevation
- Total distance: 182.3 km
- Average distance / day: 60.77 km
- Total elevation gain & loss: + 3,883 / – 3,813 m
- Average elevation gain & loss / day: + 1,294 m / – 1,271
Time & Pace
- Total moving time: 34 h 36 m
- Average moving time / day: 11 h 32 m
- Average moving pace: 11:23/km
- Average moving speed: 5.3km/hr
Budget (ex gear)
| Category | Total (£) | Breakdown |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 52.08 | Day 2 AirB&B |
| Food | 29.15 | Pub dinner Day 2 (22.15); Coffee & lunch Day 3 (7) |
| On-trail transport | 70.40 | London to Polegate (8.65); Arundel to London (17.60); London to Amberley (22.35); Winchester to London (21.80) |
| Challenge entry fee | 199 | |
| TOTAL | 350.63 | Average / day: £116.88 (or 50.54 ex challenge fee) |
Trail Journal
Day 1 – 6 September 2025: Polegate to Arundel
Distance: 101.95 km | Elevation gain: 2,033 m | Moving time: 19h | Average pace: 11:11/km | Average speed: 5.4km/hr
Why am I like this?
My alarm went off at 4.30am. Less than 24 hours ago I’d found an organised 100km challenge along the South Downs Way, and decided to test my limits while ticking off a significant portion of another English National Trail. The goal: finish within 24 hours, no running allowed.
The challenge began in sunshine (don’t believe the start line photo). I set off with fresh legs, scrambling above the Seven Sisters, then through a short valley before climbing up the downs. Aid stations offered an abundance of snacks, ranging from pastries to lollies to complete hot meals. I settled into a rhythm, marching alone but exchanging friendly greetings and a real camaraderie with the other challengers and hikers sharing the trail.
By the time Brighton, just past the halfway point, came into view, my energy was dipping. The road section felt like a punishment on my new blisters, while dodging pedestrians along the esplanade required unnecessary extra steps. But after a hot dinner, blisters popped by a medical professional, and an hour’s rest at the aid station, I was feeling ready to tackle the second half of the challenge.
I set off into the night. Head lamps bobbed across the dark hills, a procession of walkers outlining the winding trail ahead. A late night coffee proved a tactical error; an upset stomach not helped by the pungent fragrance of a pig farm for a few kilometres after the aid station. But a second wind soon saw me picking up the pace as the landscape remained clothed in darkness. A shimmering cloud hovering in a strange position just above the horizon captured my attention, until I realised I was looking at the moonlight glimmering on the sea.
The last 20km were tough, each step requiring grit. An out and back section to the last aid station, slippery sections of path along the riverbank and a final steep hill were the last obstacles to be overcome. Finally, after 22 hours on my feet, I crossed the finish line as the sunrise was beginning to pour itself into the sky in gorgeous shades of mauve, rose and apricot. 100km in 24 hours completed, with time to spare. A very last minute idea, but a memory I’ll always cherish.
Day 2 – 20 September 2025: Amberley to East Meon
Distance: 48.39 km | Elevation gain: 1,300 m | Moving time: 9h 21m | Average pace: 11:37/km | Average speed: 5.2km/hr
Back for more
Two weekends later, I returned to Amberley to pick up the South Downs Way where I’d left off.
The trail was buzzing again thanks to another 100km event: Gurkha Welfare Trust’s Trailwalker. Teams of four were powering past me with determination. They were heading towards Brighton, while I was aiming for Winchester: I must have greeted every challenger as we crossed paths, and was grateful for the courtesy we each extended, offering friendly greetings and doing our best to make sure there was enough room to pass.
It was a grey day, but the late summer colours were still on full display: fields cut to stubble, sunflowers drooping on their stalks, leaves beginning to turn. The temperature was perfect for hiking, neither too hot nor too cold.
I’d planned this to be a solid but manageable day of around 40km. What I hadn’t realised is that the accommodation I’d booked was a mile and a half off trail. When I thought I was only half an hour away an info panel on a trail marker clued me in that I was more like an hour and a half away.
The final eight kilometres to East Meon were still pleasant, despite the strengthening wind, as beams of sunlight finally pierced through some of the cloud cover. I soon dropped down into the shelter of the village, making a beeline for a very necessary pub dinner.
Day 3 – 21 September 2025: East Meon to Winchester
Distance: 31.96 km | Elevation gain: 550 m | Moving time: 6h 15m | Average pace: 11:44/km | Average speed: 5.1km/hr
The finish line … if I can spot it
Yesterday’s accidental ultra distance meant today would be shorter than planned. I wasn’t complaining. The air was brisk as I left East Meon, but the sun was out in full glory, not a cloud in the sky.
I soon reached Winchester Hill; from the top the landscape seemed to soften as the downs began to fade into flatter terrain. There were plenty of other walkers, joggers and cyclists out today, all taking advantage of the perfect weather and offering friendly greetings.
The trail wound through fields and villages, the elevation gain noticeably less than yesterday’s, making today’s section feel like a victory lap as I zoomed along. Finding the official trail marker at the end of the way in Winchester was almost harder than the physical challenge of the walk itself. But once I finally spotted it amongst a flowering shrub the satisfaction of another trail complete hit. South Downs Way = done.
Want More?
Curious about the practical side of the trail? Check out my South Downs Way: How-To post for route stats and planning tips.
Thru Horizons 
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