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Ditchling Beacon – Keymer Post Viewpoint loop from Ditchling Beacon

Routes

Running trails & routes

Ditchling Beacon – Keymer Post Viewpoint loop from Ditchling Beacon

Moderate

178

runners

Ditchling Beacon – Keymer Post Viewpoint loop from Ditchling Beacon

00:42

6.58km

110m

Running

Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: July 30, 2026

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Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

South Downs National Park

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230 m

Ditchling Beacon

Highlight • Natural Monument

From the summit of Ditchling Beacon, you're afforded a wonderful panoramic view. Standing at 814 feet (248 m) above sea level, it is the highest point along the Sussex Downs. You can look south to sea, north across the Weald, or east-west across the Downs. The site, which is managed by the National Trust, is also of archaeological interest due to there being an Iron Age hillfort there.

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436 m

View from Ditchling Beacon

Highlight • Viewpoint

Ditchling Beacon is the third highest point on the South Downs. On the surrounding open grassland and sheep-grazed areas you can find many flowers and herbs typical of chalk grassland– marjoram, thyme, Round-headed Rampion, Twayblade and Fragrant orchid to name but a few. Ditchling Beacon is also the site of an early Iron Age hill fort (700BC). Its name comes from two periods of history. Ditchling has Saxon origins and ‘Beacon’ was added when the hill was part of a line of fires lit to warn of the Spanish Armada invasion.

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1.36 km

Ditchling Beacon Dew Pond

Highlight • Viewpoint

An iconic sight in the South Downs National Park are the dew ponds, made for grazing livestock to drink from.

This one is particularly striking at sunset and features a lone tree which reflects perfectly in the water.

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1.37 km

Dew Pond with Lone Tree

Highlight • Structure

Before it was possible to channel a water supply to farmland, dew ponds were dug as a way to collect rain water for the animals. Sometimes known as mist ponds or cloud ponds, they are usually high up on hills so are often accompanied by beautiful views.

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