Starting from Amberley, this West Sussex Walk explores the River Arun visiting the villages of North and South South Stoke. The return route follows sections of the Monarch's Way and the South Downs Way.
Calculated time: 2h15[?] 
Distance : 4.69mi
Vertical gain : 89ft
Vertical drop : 118ft
Highest point : 82ft
Lowest point : -7ft 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Area : South Downs 
Location : Houghton
Starting point : N 50.89636° / W 0.54207° (D)Exit Amberley station and walk down to the main road. Turn left to Houghton Bridge over the River Arun. Half way across the bridge take the footpath on the left. This leads you alongside the River Arun on the east bank of the river.
(1)Reaching a footbridge (grid ref TQ021113) cross the dyke and stile, and turn left away from the river. The path leads to Stoke Road (grid ref. TQ024109). Turn right along the road into the village of North Stoke. Reaching a T-junction turn left to take a path on the right within a few yards.
(2)This path crosses a small suspension bridge continuing to reach the River Arun and a road bridge close to South Stoke (grid ref. TQ026101). Walk up past St Leonard's church to take the bridleway on the right just after South Stoke Farm. This bridleway then follows the west bank of the River all the way back to Houghton. At grid ref. TQ014103 the Monarch's way comes in from the left.
(3)Leave the riverside path and climb into Houghton. Reaching the main road through the village turn right and then almost immediately along a lane. Follow this north to reach the South Downs Way which crosses this lane at grid ref. TQ016118. Turn right onto the SDW, cross the footbridge over the River Arun and then follow the north bank back to Amberley station.(A)
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. 30ft - Amberley station
1 : mi 0.53 - alt. 0ft - Cross dyke and stile
2 : mi 1.04 - alt. 46ft - Take path on right
3 : mi 3.44 - alt. 16ft - Leave riverside path
D/A : mi 4.69 - alt. 16ft - Amberley Station
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 4.77/5
Number of opinions : 9
Description quality : 4.89/5
Routemap quality : 4.75/5
Walk interest : 4.67/5
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 14/05/21
Description quality
: Very good
Easiness to follow the route
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
First time of using this and did get a little confused, but then I can't tell my left from my right!
Parked in the Station Car Park and we had nice weather, felt the dog had to be kept on a lead all the time. Was told that part was flooded so made sure we avoided that and it could be done without wellies.
Very pretty too. The only issue would be the bridge and later on in the year its very busy
Stopped off at the pub on the way back which was so nice to do!
Would happily do again and take more time, visit the museum and also wander round Amberley itself which is very pretty. I understand the cafe is very nice!
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 19/04/21
Description quality
: Very good
Easiness to follow the route
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Parked up at the carpark just down from Whiteways and adapted the walk from there. lovely warm day and the weather had been fine for a while so easy going ground but it looks like when its been wet it would be muddy and slippery under foot. The walk itself is a good mix of open ground and wooded land with a few houses, farms, and a church thrown in. As I said we adapted the route and on our return found a route up from the river to the road up from Houghton, which was a killer, just think of walking up stairs for 10 minutes and you would be close. Overall a pleasant and well marked out walk.
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 03/01/21
Description quality
: Very good
Easiness to follow the route
: N/A
Walk interest
: Very good
Extremely muddy at this time of year but very enjoyable. Will be even better in the Spring/Summer. Thank you
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 14/11/20
Description quality
: Very good
Easiness to follow the route
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
Good walk, would be better when dry. Great for the dogs, easy to follow directions. Will do again
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 21/07/20
Description quality
: Very good
Easiness to follow the route
: Very good
Walk interest
: Good
~A nice flat walk with lovely scenery along the Arun but be aware, lots of traffic over the bridge at the very start of the walk - difficult with two dogs and small child!
Global average : 5 / 5
Date of walk
: 14/07/20
Description quality
: Very good
Easiness to follow the route
: Very good
Walk interest
: Very good
Amazing walk! Absolutley beautiful with a good mix of shaded paths and out in the open. Easy walk with little to no elavation. I recommend you walk on to Amberely village at the end to see the castle and the historic village. Thanks for providing this route!
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 24/06/20
Description quality
: Good
Easiness to follow the route
: Very good
Walk interest
: Good
A lovely walk with an old friend, physically distanced of course in these troubled times.
The old suspension bridge was interesting particularly since one of my cousins was a Captain in the Gurkhas.
We had a lovely picnic on the hill at the top of South Wood by diverting for a short distance south westwards on The Monarch's Way.
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 01/09/19
Description quality
: Very good
Easiness to follow the route
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
Loved it! The walk was easy to follow, (once we got the hang of it!) relatively easy to do - even for my 82 year old Dad! and BEAUTIFUL. Thank you
Global average : 4.67 / 5
Date of walk
: 28/01/19
Description quality
: Very good
Easiness to follow the route
: Very good
Walk interest
: Good
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+587ft
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+167ft
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+262ft
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+62ft
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+656ft
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