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Apps and websites to help you get around

Cycling

The National Cycle Network (NCN) is a network of safe, traffic-free paths and quiet on-road cycling and walking routes. From Dover to St Austell, NCN 2, will take you on a journey along East Sussex’s iconic coastline and beyond. Those travelling inland, have the opportunity to explore NCN 21 which runs from Eastbourne, via East Grinstead to Lewisham. NCN 21 is also part of the Avenue Vert Greenway, linking London to Paris.

The Cuckoo Trail is one of the most popular family cycle rides in the South East and gained its name from an old Sussex tradition of releasing a cuckoo at the Heathfield Fair. Once a railway line, this trail offers a superb, peaceful, traffic-free route ideal for cyclists and walkers of all ages. Horse riding is also permitted along some rural sections of the route. There is a gentle 122m (400ft) climb over 11 miles (17.5km) from Polegate to Heathfield.

Forest Way is tree-lined path which takes you through the heart of the East Sussex countryside, through small fields and farms among wooded, rolling hills. The route is part of the Downs and Weald cycle path and follows a disused railway line, making it flat and traffic-free.

Local cycle clubs

East Sussex is home to a plethora of cycle clubs which promote cycling, organise rides, training and social events, and campaign for safer cycling across the county. These include:

• Bespoke Cycle Group
• Bexhill Wheelers
• Cycle Lewes
• Cycle Seahaven
• Eastbourne Rovers Cycling Club
• East Sussex Cyclists Touring Club
• Hastings Urban Bikes
• 1066 Cycling Club
• Rye and District Wheelers

Walking

The South Downs Way is national trail which runs across southern England between Eastbourne and Winchester. The off-road trail offers stunning views of farmland and the white chalk cliffs of Seven Sisters and Beachy Head. This can easily be accessed by public transport and maps downloaded on your mobile using ViewRanger.

Wealden is a beautiful place to walk and explore its natural and historic landscape. There are 20 Wealden Walks of varying distance for you to download and discover. If you are interested in walking as part of a group or learning about the area then you may want to try one of the themed guided walks, or regular short healthy walks.

There are also a number of Health Walks on Mondays and Saturdays which are offered across the county in Ashdown Forest, Battle, Bexhill-on-Sea, Chelwood Gate, Crowborough, Eastbourne, Hailsham, Hastings, Heathfield, Lewes, Robertsbridge, Rye, St. Leonards, Seaford, Ticehurst and Uckfield.

Coombe Valley Countryside Park contains a network of footpaths, bridleways and other rights of way, allowing quiet enjoyment of grassland, open water and shingle habitat between Bexhill and Hastings. Similarly, the Coastal Culture Trail offers 18 miles of seafront promenade and quiet beaches for walkers and cyclists to experience the different sides of East Sussex.