On this walk by Eddie Start we experience extensive woodlands and remote tracks in St Leonard’s Forest. It is the land of legends, deep ghylls, steep climbs and remote paths, much of it in Open Access country.

1 - From the lower Forestry Commission car park at Roosthole, locate the path that is five yards right of the small Heritage Trail metal information sign. Descend around a rail fence and then more steeply on a rutted path to cross a bridge and begin a climb out – going left and, in a short distance, right on an unsigned path. Keep to the main path, taking none of the side turnings, as it climbs north-eastward for half a mile to the top of Scragged Oak Hill. The climb is steep and can be muddy in places, taking a few minor twists and turns but generally maintaining direction. Close to the top of the hill where the path becomes wider and finally levels off, take a right fork for a few yards to a signed crossing footpath.

Turn left, at first across a cleared area and soon passing a second footpath sign and then crossing a plank bridge and forest track. Enter woodland and descend steeply for 300 yards to Sheepwash Ghyll, crossing the stream, which sometimes can be lively and at others a mere trickle. (Spelling varies on the OS map between “ghyll” and “gill” – they are both wet.)

2 - Turn right (regardless of what the footpath sign indicates) and follow the streamside path for 300 yards to a three-way path junction.

Turn right on to a bridleway, crossing the area known as Lily Beds, and beginning to climb Greenbroom Hill.

The wide track climbs for a quarter of a mile and arrives beside a footpath sign on the left, take this turning into the closer tree cover.

The path continues its climb for a further quarter of a mile to arrive at a clearing and crossing tracks, with a four-way path sign, at the top of the hill. Walk across the wide track and begin a steep descent on a tree-lined path for 300 yards, crossing a plank bridge to a wide forest track.

3 - Turn left along the track, which runs below Race Hill, and in 125 yards take the descending path on the right. In a short distance pass through a kissing gate and cross over Frenchbridge Gill.

Climb the path ahead, passing a wooden shed and crossing a wooden bridge and stile, going left on an enclosed section, along the edge of Old Springfield Stud.

Cross a double stile into a small field, following the left edge for 100 yards to cross a stile into a larger meadow. Take a half-right line across the field, heading for bushes, woodland, and a bridge over Pyefall Gill.

The path now climbs to the left, beneath close tree-cover, for a quarter of a mile to a three-way path junction close to the hilltop and Spring Farm. Keep to the main track, do not take the side turning, following the path and driveway to the right of the farm as it veers to the right, coming to a surfaced track close to Barnsnap.

4 - Cross the track and follow the opposite enclosed path to cross a stile in 100 yards. Climb up the left field-edge to a more level meadow and a field-corner stile that leads on to Grouse Road.

Turn right along the roadside for a quarter of a mile and locate a stile in the left hedgerow, just before an isolated house. Cross the stile on to a path, descending the field-edge for 250 yards and then taking a few paces right to resume the south-eastward direction towards a lower tree line. Enter the narrow strip of woodland and, beside the gnarled husks of two trees, cross the bridge over Newstead Ghyll and climb out the opposite side, crossing a stile into a sloping meadow.

5 - Take a half-right line towards a stand of trees and take a line beneath them to cross a stile in the bordering fence.

Climb left, steeply up the field-edge, to cross a stile in the field corner and turn right. Follow the right fence line along to a corner. Continue ahead in the fenced-off section to where fences converge and climb right, through the fence into the lower field. (This short section of the path is poorly defined; turning right before crossing the stile mentioned above will avoid the fence-scramble).

Turn left, having crossed through the fence, to a metal field gate and pass out to a bridleway. Turn right down the track for one-third of a mile, passing through the valley bottom copse, to climb out from a bridge over a ghyll.

Turn left across a rising meadow to arrive, in 300 yards, at a row of trees and the entrance to a nursery.

Turn right up an enclosed footpath (do not go through the gate into the nursery) to Grouse Road.

6 - Cross the road to begin a descent in the heavily wooded Old Copse, passing over crossing tracks and a bridge above Frenchbridge Gill. The path then climbs steeply in Greenslade Wood to a complex of paths in 450 yards at Mick’s Cross. Walk ahead a few paces to a clearing where a wide, straight forest path leads off to the right. There is no doubt that Mick would have been very cross if he had to choose between the number of signs and paths that lead off from this point. Mick Mills was a local character, some say a smuggler who, having encountered the Devil, challenged him to a race, Mick won on the mile-long track, off to the right. It seems the Devil didn’t have much luck in Sussex.

Walk left from the junction for a few yards and, in the spirit of adventure, take the wide, unsigned path on the right. This tree-bordered forest track, in Open Access country, takes a gently descending, south-westerly sweep for half a mile, back to the car park from where the walk began.

* Distance/Time: Five-and-three-quarter miles, taking three hours.

* By Car: Forestry Commission car park at Cockroost on the minor road, 350 yards northwest of the north end of Golding Lane at Mannings Heath. Start point Grid Ref. TQ208298.

* By Public Transport: Bus details from www.traveline.info, phone 0871 2002233.

* What’s underfoot: Steep climbs and muddy sections can be expected on this walk, much of it in woodland. Not many footpath signs in early stages over Open Access land. Tough going with a baby backpack – not recommended; not possible with a baby buggy.

* Thirsty Work: No facilities, nearest pub is at Mannings Heath.

* So you don’t get lost: OS Explorer map 134, plus a compass for general direction.