If your resolution this year is to get more exercise why not use this ramble to increase your daily step count. Like last month, Steve Kisko sets off from Ditchling Common Country Park to explore more of the woodlands and farms in the surrounding countryside while getting fit in the process.

1. Start in the car park of Ditchling Common Country Park on Folders Lane East. Exit the car park to the north-east (ahead right of entrance) over grass to follow a bridleway over to the right between bushes. In 100 yards cross over an access track and carry straight on. In 50 yards reach a driveway and turn left along it. In 100 yards before reaching Mid Sussex Business Park turn right into woodland, down 2 steps and over a planked bridge. In 100 yards as you exit the wood at a Y-junction take the right-hand footpath.

2. At a T-junction with a lane turn right onto a bridleway. Later you will return here from the left. In 250 yards Dobells Farm Lane ends at a T-junction with Middleton Common Lane. Turn left. In only 20 yards turn right to cross over the road and go through posts opposite into woodland. Follow the footpath through Blackbrook Wood, way-marked by small posts, for half a mile, then it narrows at a clearing between fields before becoming wooded again for another 500 yards. Soon after a disused stile, reach a T-junction and turn left through a gate and then immediately right over planks and a stile into a field. Keep to the right side of the field and at the far right corner go over a stile next to a gate, over planks and onto a lane.

3. Turn right. In only 20 yards turn left to cross the lane and go over planks and a stile next to a gate into a field. Cross it diagonally right, go over a stile, down between fences, to reach a restricted byway. Turn left. In 200 yards as the track bends right go ahead through a gate into a field. Aim right towards the left end of the lower barn, then on reaching it turn left across the field to a gate opposite. Turn right along the restricted byway. Soon go over planks and the path bends left. Keep going for half a mile. Reach St. Helena Lane and turn right.

4. In 100 yards turn left on a footpath down the drive of “Challoners”. Before the last house turn right around it, over planks, between fences to a stile and into a large field. Follow the right-hand fence. In 300 yards go through a gate and keep left. Exit the field via a gate, cross a track, over planks and a stile into a field and aim for the far left corner. Go over a stile, down to a footbridge and stile, up into a field and keep right. Exit the field via a stile into another field and keep right. Exit that field via another stile into another field and keep right. Soon cross a stile into a larger field and aim to the far left corner near a house. Exit via a stile, cross the front lawn, over the bend of a gravel drive and over a stile into a field skirting the right side, then over a stile, and out to a lane.

5. Take a footpath opposite, over a stile and keep right in the field. Exit the field via a stile into another field and turn left. Make your way to the corner in 70 yards, turn right and soon take the left-hand side of a hedgerow ahead and keep right. In 300 yards reach scrub and turn right. Follow it arcing left into trees. Soon reach a T-junction with a bridleway and turn left. It soon becomes a lane with cottages. In 100 yards reach point 2 again.

6. Turn right along the footpath by the fence and after into woods. Go over planks, up two steps and onto the drive again. Cross over and take the bridleway into woodland. After a fence, do not take a path down to the right but keep left close to a pond. This should veer left down to a T-junction with a bridleway where the car park should come into view.

Distance/time: About 4 and a half miles taking 2 and a half hours. 
 Public transport: Bus services 167 and 168 stop near the Country Park, see www.compass-travel.co.uk
Car: Car Park at the start, at Ditchling Common Country Park, Folders Lane East. 
 Underfoot: Flat circular walk mainly on rural footpaths and bridleways. Routes through woodland and in fields will be muddy after rain. Note there are 16 stiles to climb over. Ditchling Common itself is well worth exploring if you have time, www.eastsussex.gov.uk/leisureandtourism/discover-east-sussex/countryside-sites/ditchlingcommon/
 Thirsty work: The Plough Inn is 300 yards away at point 4, by continuing to the end of the lane and turning right.
 NOTE: Always follow the Countryside Code when exploring the great outdoors: www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-countryside-code. Distances between features are approximate.
 Maps: OS Explorer 122: OL 11.