Dry Trails at Whiteways

Today saw us ride from Whiteways carpark (just north of Arundel) through Houghton Forest and Rewell Wood to Slindon returning via the Monarch’s way. Despite the recent heavy rainfall the trails were at worst slightly damp and in the most part were bone dry, excellent. Riding over the fallen trees on the singletrack across the top of Rewell Wood was great fun as was the descent down to Slindon which was blasted and jumped at every opportunity. We did a little exploring but nothing that disturbed the rhythm of the ride.

Directions. OS Explorer Map 121

From Whiteways carpark take the gap in the trees just to the left of the main track into the woods. Follow this as it twists a little bit and turn left down a rooty trial for 30 yards until it meets a trail running east west and turn right (west). Turn south where the trail crosses a narrow north/south route (difficult to see) and continues in more or less a straight line through the trees across loads of half buried roots and out onto a fireroad via a small but steep drop-off. Head uphill on a fire road and take a hidden left turn into some very narrow and twisty singletrack, follow this to where it rejoins the fireroad and then turn right onto more single track that eventually crosses the A29 running from Whiteways down to Slindon. Climb through the trees up into Rewell Wood and turn right at the top (this is a tough climb in winter). At the Gate take the singletrack on the right then immediate left (this is very twisty and rooty with a couple of fallen trees that are ride-able as well as alternatives via a couple of small but steep drop-offs). Follow this all the way down and where it comes out take the right again to cut back towards West Stubbs copse just east of Slindon (this is a great singletrack descent for about 800 yards). Where the bridleways meet stop and turn right for 20 yards and then left down another narrow bridleway descent with a couple of drops and jumpy bits. At the bottom turn sharpe right to head through Madehurst Wood and on to Chichester Lodge. Up this point there is a lot of singletrack and even the bridleways are single-file and a real blast.

Cross the A29 and go straight across the road and turn left uphill for approximately 50 yards to a bridleway sign on the right pointing through Baycombe Wood and climbs up to the Monarch’s Way via Northwood cottages and through The Plain to meet the Monarch’s Way at the large trail intersection with the big signpost. Turn right (signposted Bignor Hill) to take the Monarch’s Way south east and back to Whiteways taking in the singletrack in Houghton Forest.