Sussex Border Path
The Sussex Border Path is a 241 km route along the county boundaries of Sussex from Thorney Island on the West Sussex coast to Rye on the East Sussex coast — a circuit of the Sussex perimeter through the South Downs, the High Weald and the Romney Marsh.
This route has no official waymarking. Serious navigation experience is required — do not rely on GPS alone. Carry OS 1:25,000 maps and study the line before you go.
About Sussex Border Path
The Sussex Border Path follows the county boundaries of East and West Sussex in a long loop from the Solent coast to Rye — through the South Downs AONB, the ancient oak woodland of the High Weald, the hop gardens of the Weald and the Romney Marsh. It is an unofficial but well-documented route with good waymarking.
For trail runners it is a four to six day challenge through some of England's most varied lowland countryside. The South Downs section and the High Weald sections are the finest running.
The route
Thorney Island to Amberley (~70 km): Along the West Sussex coast and into the South Downs.
Amberley to East Grinstead (~80 km): Over the high South Downs and into the Weald.
East Grinstead to Rye (~91 km): Through the High Weald, the Rother valley and the Romney Marsh to the finish at Rye.
Getting there & logistics
Start: Thorney Island. Bus from Chichester (train from London Victoria).
Finish: Rye. Train from Rye to Ashford International.
Best time: Year-round. Lowland route with good drainage.
Safety
Low-hazard route throughout. Good mobile signal. In an emergency: call 999 or 112.
Have you completed Sussex Border Path?
Log your round — time, date, attempt type, photos. Connect Strava to pull in your activity automatically.
Completions
No completions logged yet — be the first.