<Tr> <Th> Season </Th> <Td> All year </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Sights </Th> <Td> Long Man of Wilmington, Chanctonbury Ring </Td> </Tr> <P> The South Downs Way is a long distance footpath and bridleway running along the South Downs in southern England . It is one of 15 National Trails in England and Wales . The trail runs for 160 km (100 mi) from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in East Sussex, with about 4,150 m (13,620 ft) of ascent and descent . </P> <P> People have been using the paths and tracks that have been linked to form the South Downs Way for approximately 8000 years . They were a safer and dryer alternative to those in the wetter lowlands throughout the mesolithic era . Early occupation in the area began 2000 years after that in the neolithic era . Early inhabitants built tumuli in places on the hills and hill forts later, once tribal fighting became more common . Old Winchester Hill is an example of one of these hill forts along the path . The trail was probably used by the Romans, despite the fact that they built one of their roads across the path at Stane Street (Chichester), this use possibly evidenced by the existence of Bignor Roman Villa near Bury, nearby the path . </P>

Where does the south downs way start and finish