The way points of this bicycle route:
Start at the car park at Heathfield. This car park is the one at the start of the trail. There is another long stay car park just off Station Road (turn immediate left when you turn off the High Street) and I've parked for free in Thorny Close as well.
When the trail crosses Station Road at Hellingsly (after about 6 miles), turn left and follow it down. To get to the road go under the bridge (there is a Bar Open sign out sometimes just by the bridge) and turn left. There is a a decent bar that is open in the afternoons (the pizza is pretty good) if you turn right and cross over Staion Road from the car park.
At the crossroads go straight over and down New Road.
At the junction with the A271 turn left to avoid the main road. You could also follow the path along the A271 (although there is a hawthorn hedge so if it's been cut prepare for punctures). If you're confident then the A271 isn't too bad along here and we've just cycled straight along to Under Road.
After nearly a mile turn right into Squab Lane.
At the end of Squab Lane turn right into Old Lane.
At the end of Old Road you reach the A271 again. Turn left on to the A271 and ride/push along the pavement (so says the map, we took the road but it can be quite busy).
Take the first right down Under Road which gets you off the main road. It is sign posted as Under Road and is pretty obvious.
After nearly a mile pass by the end of Crickening Lane on your left, keep going straight on down Lower Road.
Shortly after Crickening Lane take the Narrow Road on the right. It's a pretty obvious turning but if you get to Sackville Farm on the right then you've gone too far.
At the end of that Lane (about 3 and a half miles) turn left. Be careful of any dogs you see passing the cow sheds a mate of mine got a nip from one that otherwise seemed really placid.
After about another two and half miles you eventually end up at the large roundabout at Pevensey where the A27 joins the A259. Take the third exit (either riding or pushing the bikes, can be very, very busy).
There are various pubs and tea shops in Pevensey, I think we've earned a pint.
At the end of the High Street turn right and you can go past Pevensey Castle which is worth a visit. We go straight through the castle grounds (which is tarmac) and it's really nice.
As you come out of the castle grounds keep going straight down that road.
Rejoin the High Street.
Keep following the High Street until you get to Peelings Lane (2nd right) which is signposted on the near corner (so you can't see it until you've gone past it).
Take the 2nd right (Hankham Hall Road) which is signposted to Hanham. This is on a cross roads with Gallows Lane, don't go up the drive before which is at a staggered junction opposite St John's Drive.
The road crosses the A27 over a bridge. Keep following Hankham Hall Road all the way into Hankham.
At the end of the road turn right up Hankham Street.
After half a mile turn left into Glynleigh Road.
After nearly a mile turn left down Cottage Lane. If you get to the end of the road you've gone too far but simply turn left and then take the first right to get you back on track.
Cross over Halisham Road and down Shepham Lane. Be careful as there can be quite a lot of fast traffic down Hailsham Road. Shepham Lane is cycle/pedestrian only, go through the gap to the left of the gate.
After a little more than half a mile take the left to go over the bridge the crosses the A27. Be slightly careful as the road is made of large (and I do mean large) concrete slabs and it's possible to get your wheel caught in the gap between them on the corner (we nearly had a collision caused by this). Sounds worse than it is but keep an eye open.
At the first junction (three way junction with Shepham Lane and Levett Road) turn right onto the Cuckoo Trail. If you reach Dymchurch Close then you've gone too far but it is pretty well signposted.
When you get to a big five way junction with loads of signposts for cycle routes you want to turn right towards Hailsham.
At Hailsham the trail takes a break and comes out in Freshfield Close. It's pretty well signposted.
Turn right into Lindfield Drive.
Another Station Road. When you get to Station Road, turn left. You can either go up on the road or follow what I assume is a cycle path that runs along the pavement.
Go past the car park on your left and right at the end follow the signposts and turn into it.
Turn under the bridge and follow the Cuckoo Trail again.
At this point the trail drops onto the road for a couple of hundred yards. Again it's well signposted.
Welcome to Bikely, take a step by step tour of this path:
Press Start Tour - then use the navigation buttons below to move along the path.
From Heathfield down the Cuckoo Trail and out to Pevensey Castle (not too far from the beach) and then return. Entered from various maps but I did it from this cue sheet and had a great time. It's a bit of a long slog back up the trail but it's a good run.
It took us two hours forty mins to ride it plus a break for lunch and a sit down at the castle.
Tagged with: Recreational, Onroad, Offroad, Low traffic, Safe, Scenic
