14k Run Findon: Scenic Challenge at Chanctonbury Ring

Route Overview & Local Insights

The Findon 2 Rings circuit is a quintessential South Downs experience, offering 13.7km of pure trail running across rolling chalk hills and high-quality tracks. With 249m of ascent, this route is classified as hilly and demands a steady engine. You'll start with a fast, brief descent to find your rhythm before tackling the long, steady climb up to the iconic Chanctonbury Ring. The terrain is entirely unpaved, featuring those classic flinty paths and springy turf that the Downs are famous for. After soaking in the views at the summit, you’ll enjoy a sweeping descent into Buddington Bottom followed by one final, testing ascent before a rewarding downhill sprint back into Findon.

Steeped in mystery and South Downs folklore, this area is centered around the Iron Age hill fort of Chanctonbury Ring. Originally built in the 6th century BC, the site became famous in the 18th century when the Goring family planted the distinctive crown of Beech trees that can be seen for miles across West Sussex. Local legend says that if you run around the ring seven times (or fourteen, depending on who you ask) after dark, you might summon the Devil himself. For today's runners, however, the only thing you're likely to encounter is the breathtaking panorama stretching from the English Channel to the North Downs, making this one of the most atmospheric segments of the South Downs Way.