5k Run Arun: Scenic Journey Around Highdown Hill

Route Overview & Local Insights

Experience a refreshing 4.6km multi-terrain loop starting from the quiet stretch of Ecclesden Lane in Arun. This route offers a perfect blend of asphalt and natural trail as it sweeps clockwise around the majestic Highdown Hill. With a manageable 56m of ascent, runners will encounter gentle gradients that provide a rewarding heart-rate boost without being overwhelming. The terrain is characterized by its openness, offering panoramic views of the South Coast and the rolling Sussex downs, making it an ideal choice for a brisk morning tempo run or a mindful sunset jog.

Highdown Hill is a site steeped in local legend and ancient history, serving as a prominent landmark between Worthing and Littlehampton. As you crest the hill, you are running over the site of a Bronze Age hillfort and a later Anglo-Saxon cemetery. The area is also famous for the 'Miller’s Tomb,' the final resting place of John Olliver, who famously built his tomb decades before his death and used it to store smuggled goods. Today, the area is better known for its stunning chalk downland habitat and the nearby Highdown Gardens, providing a serene backdrop for the local running community.