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Ouse Valley Viaduct – Ardingly Reservoir loop from Ardingly

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Hiking trails & Routes

Ouse Valley Viaduct – Ardingly Reservoir loop from Ardingly

Moderate

3.4

(71)

242

hikers

Ouse Valley Viaduct – Ardingly Reservoir loop from Ardingly

03:16

12.3km

130m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: May 9, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

High Weald National Landscape

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

1.33 km

Ouse Valley Viaduct

Highlight (Segment) • Monument

The Sussex Ouse Valley Way is a 42-mile (68 km) long-distance footpath that basically follows the course of the River Ouse from its source to the sea. It starts from Lower Beeding near Horsham to the coast at Seaford. It is generally regarded as an easy footpath, as most of the route is flat riverside walking. It is a very scenic journey as it goes through beautiful quintessential English countryside for most of its journey. Here by Upper-Ryelands Bridge on Border Hill Lane, you come across the fantastic structure of the Ouse Valley Viaduct that stretches out across you in all its magnificent structural glory, simply a stunning view.

Tip by

1.74 km

View of the Ouse Valley Viaduct

Highlight • Bridge

One of the country's most beautiful, ornate viaducts, the Ouse Valley Viaduct is still in use today, carrying trains between London and Brighton. It has 37 spans and is a Grade II-listed structure, completed in 1842. It's easy to enjoy some fantastic views of the viaduct, thanks to nearby footpaths, including the Ouse Valley Way.

Tip by

1.87 km

Balcombe Ouse Valley Viaduct

Highlight • Bridge

This spot is where you will get the classic standing in the archway infinity shots which are really cool but be prepared for a bit a queue to take them. A really busy place for a good reason.

Tip by

3.51 km

Ardingly Reservoir Activity Centre

Highlight • Rest Area

Apart from a café bar where you can stop for a break, this center offers a variety of activities at Ardingly Reservoir, including junior and adult sailing, paddleboard rentals, and the opportunity to try windsurfing, among others.

Tip by

5.66 km

Ardingly Reservoir

Lake

6.44 km

Ardingly Reservoir

Highlight • Lake

Also a Local Nature Reserve, Ardingly Reservoir was built in the 1970s. It is a wildlife haven with Ospreys even seen here. There are two bird hides on this eastern shore while the south eastern end is a hive of watersports activity.

Tip by

7.41 km

Ardingly Reservoir

Highlight • Climb

A stunning reservoir lake which is great to walk around. It feels like an enchanted forest, something out of a fairy tale but there is also a great downhill followed by a challenging climb, no matter your approach. Lock the bikes up and explore — it's about the adventure after all. But either way, it's a good way to get some more feet of climbing to impress your Strava followers.

Tip by

7.51 km

Bench and Millstones on Woodland Steps

Highlight • Forest

If you fancy a break before the short flight of stairs, this bench, placed here by The Balcombe Footpaths & Countryside Association in 1993, is the perfect spot!

Tip by

12.3 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

6.46 km

2.75 km

2.40 km

321 m

315 m

Surfaces

5.18 km

3.46 km

2.88 km

355 m

286 m

< 100 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (120 m)

Lowest point (40 m)

Weather

Friday 26 June

29°C

19°C

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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Ouse Valley Viaduct – Ardingly Reservoir loop from Ardingly

Ouse Valley Viaduct

View of the Ouse Valley Viaduct

Balcombe Ouse Valley Viaduct

Ardingly Reservoir Activity Centre

Ardingly Reservoir

Ardingly Reservoir

Bench and Millstones on Woodland Steps

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