Skip to content
The earthworks on the east side of Cissbury Ring, West Sussex
Earthworks on the east side of Cissbury Ring, West Sussex | © National Trust Images/Laurence Perry
Sussex

Cissbury Ring history and nature trail

Walk along an ancient road and see where flint mining provided tools for our Neolithic ancestors. On the route look out for varied wildlife in this important chalk downland site and enjoy panoramic views from the second largest Iron Age hillfort in the south of England.

Total steps: 11

Total steps: 11

Start point

Storrington Rise car park, Findon Valley, grid ref: TQ129076

Step 1

Leave the car park at the south-east corner and take the left-hand path where the track splits. Walk straight up the hill and look for a gap in the trees.

Step 2

Go through the gap in the trees turning right past a bench. When you come out of the woods turn left and walk uphill by the edge of the field until you come to a kissing gate in the corner.

Step 3

Go through the kissing gate. Continue climbing on another grassy path just to the right of the trees up ahead, until you reach the fence at the foot of Cissbury Ring.

Step 4

Go through the kissing gate near the bench and turn right onto the lower of the two embankments.

Step 5

Walk round the fort towards the south taking in the views as you go.

Step 6

When you reach a gravel footpath crossing your track in front of a wooded area turn left and go through the gap in the inner embankment. This is the southern entrance to Cissbury.

The purple blue of a spiky round headed rampion flower on a chalk grassland hillside in Sussex.
Round-headed rampion, Sussex | © National Trust/Fiona Scully

Step 7

Take the grassy uphill path, which goes diagonally to the right across the hillfort. Continue walking uphill until you reach the triangulation point.

Step 8

Turn right at the triangulation point and walk down towards the eastern entrance to Cissbury Ring, which is the obvious gap in the earthworks.

Step 9

Climb the steps on your left and continue along the upper embankment until you get to a lone tree and a bench where you can sit and admire the views.

Step 10

Continue following the path around the north-east side of Cissbury Ring until you arrive at the steps at the south-west corner. These are just above the kissing gate you came through earlier to access the hillfort.

Artist's impression of flint mining at Cissbury Ring
Artist's impression of flint mining at Cissbury Ring, Sussex | © National Trust/J. P. S. Brinded

Step 11

Go down the steps, back through the kissing gate, and follow the route back down to the car park.

End point

Storrington Rise car park, Findon Valley, grid ref: TQ129076

Trail map

Cissbury Ring history and nature trail map
Cissbury Ring history and nature trail map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

You made it

Share your experience

More near here

A dark green fritillary butterfly warms its wings on a thistle
Trail
Trail

Cissbury Ring butterfly walk 

Take a circular walk around one of the very best butterfly sites in Sussex, exploring the South Downs.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3.0 (km: 4.8)
View of Devil's Dyke from Saddlescombe Farm with sun breaking through clouds, West Sussex
Trail
Trail

Devil's Dyke histories and mysteries walk 

A good three mile walk which takes you to the alleged burial site of the Devil and beyond to Saddlescombe Farm and the donkey wheel.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)
Early purple orchid surrounded by cowslips on the south downs, Sussex.
Trail
Trail

Saddlescombe Farm and Newtimber walk 

Fresh air, spectacular views and an ancient landscape will accompany you along this scenic downland walk near Devil's Dyke.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1.5 (km: 2.4)
Sheep in the parkland at Slindon Estate, West Sussex
Trail
Trail

Slindon medieval park pale and village walk 

Discover this circular walk at the Slindon Estate in West Sussex and wander through a medieval deer park and enjoy village views.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1.8 (km: 2.88)

Get in touch

Near Findon, West Sussex, BN14 0HT

Our partners

Cotswold Outdoor

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website 

You might also be interested in

Winter sun in the woods at Petworth House and Park, West Sussex

Walking in Sussex 

Explore coastal paths, open parkland and countryside teeming with wildlife on these top walks in Sussex.

View over Cissbury Ring, Sussex, in summer
Article
Article

Things to see and do at Cissbury Ring 

Discover what to see and do at Cissbury Ring. Take a walk around the largest hillfort in the county and admire the wonderful views.

A visitor carrying a backpack and walking along a footpath at Divis and the Black Mountain with stone walls either side, the countryside visible in the background.
Article
Article

Follow the Countryside Code 

Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.

Winter sunrise on the footpath around Cissbury Ring, West Sussex
Article
Article

History of Cissbury Ring 

Explore the past at Cissbury Ring. From Neolithic flint mining to leading Victorian archaeologists and Second World War machine guns, uncover Cissbury's long history.

Visitor crossing water via stepping stones with their dog on an autumnal walk at Wallington

Walking 

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.

A man and a woman enjoy the view whilst walking in the Peak District
Article
Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner 

Learn about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor. Find out how they help us care for precious places and the exclusive discount available for National Trust supporters.

An aerial view of an adult and baby walking a dog along a path at Baggy Point, Devon
Article
Article

Staying safe at National Trust places 

The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.