This month we present a gentle ride from Hove seafront all the way to Devil’s Dyke.

The ride is particularly suitable for families, and follows cycle paths, very quiet roads and off-road tracks all the way up to the Devil’s Dyke with its fantastic views out over the Sussex Weald. The route can be joined at any point on the Drive in Hove, so it offers easy and convenient access.

1. Start at Hove Lawns, at the bottom of The Drive, and follow the new cycle freeway up through Hove. The cycle lane is completely separate from the road, making it particularly safe for young children.

2. At the junction with Old Shoreham Road, go straight across and into Hove Recreation Ground.

Follow the path round the bottom of the playing fields until you reach Hove Park Road. Turn left, and take the road down to the T-junction with Goldstone Crescent, and cross over into Hove Park.

3. Follow the path around the top of Hove Park, and exit the park at the northernmost corner, joining Goldstone Crescent and riding up to the junction with King George VI Avenue.

If you are with children, you will now have to turn left, walk 50m up the avenue until you see the National Cycle Route sign on the other side of the road. Cross over on foot and walk up a short, fairly steep footpath to reach Downland Drive.

4. Follow Downland Drive uphill until you see another cycle route sign that takes you down to the right. The route follows a pleasant gravel path which drops down after a while (quite steeply) to join the Dyke Railway Trail.

5. Turn right, go over the A27 bridge and continue on up the path. When you reach the white clubhouse of Brighton and Hove golf club, bear left and follow the path up to a gate where it meets Devil’s Dyke road. This is a good place to tell the kids to stop and wait for you if they have gone ahead.

6. Go over the road and turn left onto a gravel track. After a kilometre or so the road bends round in front of you. Cross over it, and take the side road on your left. This road is a steep little climb, but the reward is your arrival at the Devil’s Dyke car park, with its magnificent views over Sussex.

The ride returns via exactly the same route. It’s a blissful downhill freewheel almost all the way home.

  • Surface: Tarmac and gravel.
  • Distance/time: One-and-a-half hours to get there at a very gentle pace.
  • Difficulty rating: Easy.
  • Thirsty work: The Devil’s Dyke pub at the top of Devil’s Dyke for a well-earned something.
  • Your bike: Any kind of bike.
  • So you don't get lost: OS 122 or the AA Brighton and Hove Streetmap.

For a larger version of the map, see 'related links' above.