The chalk stones trail is an undulating (height gain 750 feet) 5 mile walk that starts to the south of Cocking and follows a path over the Downs to West Dean. The walk is not circular so bus passes at the ready to use a half-hourly service to get from the meeting point in West Dean Gardens and the start of the walk at Cocking Hill car park.
We'll start by meeting in the West Town car park next to Station Road to car share, leaving at 9.00 am for West Dean Garden Centre. Please let us know if you need/can offer a lift.
We'll then meet in the car park furthest to the west from the A286 car entrance to West Dean Gardens. There is a gate at the north west corner of the car park that leads out to the main road and a nearby bus stop.
We'll then take the 10am bus to the Cocking Hill car park (see map).
The walk will take us back to the garden centre where we can stop for a light lunch. Alternatives include: the Selsey Arms (expensive) and the Fox Goes Free (less expensive). I'll assume we'll eat at the garden centre unless there's a strong preference for an alternative.
The route is called the chalk stones trail because of the stone sculptures created by Andy Goldsworthy along the route.
Last time we did the walk, we managed to find all 13 stones (click any image to see a larger version)...
This is the planned route: