How to Walk the South Downs Way - 100 Miles in 7 Days

[@Andy-LucyGSD]

I did this last year in four days, I was restricted by lack of time off work unfortunately. I'd definitely recommend taking longer as you did to make the most of it. I wild camped every night, didn't get disturbed at all by anyone but do set up late and leave early. I also found you cannot rely on every tap working, two were out of action so I used a water filter using river water where necessary. Good call about the trail shoes (I used the same as you) not a single blister walking 25 miles a day. Great info in your video!

[@mattwalkwild6784]

That's an impressive walking time. Must have been really tough doing 25 miles along the hills in East Sussex! Good to know the wild camping worked for you. I would be keen to do the trail again and wild camp every night. I agree about the water filter, I always carry one with me just in case. Thanks for your comments!

[@robertcoulter7592]

Excellent video Matt, thanks so much for this and the link to the online guide. I'll take it with me. Starting this trail myself in two weeks so really appreciate the insight 🌿😬

[@HSwanny]

Excellent vid mate.... What nightclubs did u go to each night?

[@lazerbean]

Thank you so much! I’ve been researching this trail and you have provided some valuable information I had no idea about, cheers!

[@zjhajji254]

Amazing information 👌 thank you for all the tips. I can't wait until spring comes. I'm going to study it well, then I will do it.

[@mattwalkwild6784]

Thank you and good luck on your hike!

[@melaniegarden3416]

Fabulous trail....and those water taps!!

[@IgnacioGlezCllo]

I attempted the SDW late October 2020; I cocked it up on day 3 when I didn't 'manage' the weather and my trousers got soaked. Planning a new attempt end of May 2021

[@mattwalkwild6784]

Ah, the UK isn't known for its good weather in late October 😄. Good luck with the walk in May 👍🏼

[@einy45]

Thanks Matt - really helpful!

[@Tommotime]

Cheers fella, handy vid and tips. Going to run it Friday, handy to know re taps

[@mattwalkwild6784]

That’s impressive mate! No worries, good luck with the run!

[@vivienmakovik8054]

Really helpful video. I’m currently in training for the SDW. Glad I came across this.

[@mattwalkwild6784]

Happy to hear it was useful! Have a brilliant hike 👍🏼

[@mikecoward3949]

Fantastic and informative video thank you

[@WyeExplorer]

Sound advice Matt especially with the footwear. It's good to know water supply is good and hey the weather to. Good going. Have a great week ahead. Mark

[@mattwalkwild6784]

Comfy feet is so important on a hike like this! Exactly, one less thing to worry about :) Thanks Mark, you too

[@WyeExplorer]

@@mattwalkwild6784 Yes, I agree Matt. A pleasure to comment.

[@irunoffroad]

Lots of great information

[@karenguttridge]

That was brilliant Matt 😍 Wish I’d been able to watch this before I walked the SDW (in Sept 2020). Interested to see you walked in Altra Lone Peaks as I’m thinking right now about getting some of those to go hiking post lockdown 😊 Thanks for all the great info ATB Karen

[@mattwalkwild6784]

Thanks for your kind words Karen! September is a great time of year to do the walk it must have been wonderful. They are great shoes and I highly recommend them - no more blisters! Good luck with your walks in the future, Matt

[@karenguttridge]

@@mattwalkwild6784 Hi Matt-well I’ve just ordered the Lone Peaks 😃 - can’t wait to try... and I’ve subbed to your channel as you’ve covered a few of the hikes on my bucket list and I like the way you go into detail 😍👍

[@mattwalkwild6784]

@@karenguttridge That's great, I hope they work for you as well as they have for me! Thanks for subscribing, good luck with your future hikes :)

[@sammarten8110]

Great Video, thanks for the info.

[@Kandangwa]

Nice video, thank you for sharing informations

[@georgex5959]

Planning to do this in February. Found the video helpful, although I am now not sure what to wear on my feet 😳

[@mattwalkwild6784]

It's down to personal preference I think, best to hike in what you find most comfortable :). Enjoy the trail!

[@grahamferguson5796]

Really enjoyed the video. Well prepared and researched. Many thanks.

[@mattwalkwild6784]

Hi Graham, thanks for watching. Hopefully it's of use if you choose to walk the SDW in the future 👍🏼

[@grahamferguson5796]

Cheers Matt. Quite tempted by the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path after watching your video.

[@mattwalkwild6784]

@@grahamferguson5796 That's my favourite long distance hike I've done in the UK but it's also the most challenging. It's an astoundingly rugged and beautiful bit of coast though!

[@grahamferguson5796]

@@mattwalkwild6784 I agree Matt. I’ve walked sections and it never disappoints. Just my opinion but I think coastal walking on the Lleyn Peninsula is the only terrain to match it.

[@mattwalkwild6784]

@@grahamferguson5796 I'll have to check that out than. A lot of the Welsh coastline seems to be stunning. I need to get over to the Gower Peninsula after lockdown is over!

[@markcandlin6421]

thanks Matt great info.

[@mattwalkwild6784]

No problem Mark, thanks for watching!

[@jamesroche2082]

Different back packs in the clips, were you using luggage transfer?

[@mattwalkwild6784]

No I decided to spit this hike into different sections. I hiked the first part in 3 days 2 nights I believe. After that, I did the other sections as day hikes

[@mattwalkwild6784]

I hope you enjoyed this video! What hike would you like me to do next?

[@iamvengeance4375]

Anyone know any good insoles for the walk to go with walking shoes

[@gutinstinct4067]

Very nice video , great page of info too =-) . Your Tripod link no longer works , but that's not hard to find one , and i was wondering how you got the camera footage onto your external memory card , did you take a laptop with you?. as you can see I'm a total beginner with all this so had too ask =-)

[@mattwalkwild6784]

Thanks mate, glad you found it useful. Ah yes, it seems they no longer sell the model I use. Anyway, all you need is an inexpensive tripod that can hold your phone or camera for you. No I never bring my laptop with me. I wait till I get home then I upload all the footage onto my laptop at once. All other footage from my previous hikes is moved off my computer and stored on the external memory card to make space for me to edit the video. After the video has been edited and posted I then move the footage onto memory cards again to free up my laptop. And the cycle continues :)

[@gutinstinct4067]

@@mattwalkwild6784 . Ok =-) , so how many ( in general ) memory cards do you take with you , i mean does a 64Gb card hold a whole days worth or just a few hours . . thanks for replying happy travels =-0

[@mattwalkwild6784]

@@gutinstinct4067 That depends on what resolution you're shooting in. If you film in 4k the memory card fills up very quickly. If you're filming in 1080p or 720p you will get much more out of the card. I usually carry two memory cards with me, but one is generally enough. It all depends on your usage really. I try and do short takes and switch the camera off to save battery and card space. Good luck with making your videos!

[@gutinstinct4067]

@@mattwalkwild6784 Thanks , And thanks for the replies =-).....happy adventuring =-)

[@wackyswanderings3627]

Hi Matt. Excellent video, especially the links you provide, and if two thumbs up could be given, actually they can, ill watch on my phone and thumbs up there also👍👍 . It must have taken hours to compile all this information, edit and post, so is very much appreciated. I intend to start this walk sometime after lockdown. Your hard work has made my research efforts much easier. Thanks again. As for what hike I would like to see you do next, Anything you wish, so long as you enjoy. ATB Matt and thanks again. Dave aka wackyswanderings.

[@mattwalkwild6784]

As always, thanks for the very kind words Dave. Good luck with the walk I hope everything goes smoothly and you enjoy it as much as I did. I was checking out some of your videos and saw you've done Wainwright's Coast to Coast and West Highland's Way - they are both on my list! Thinking of doing one of those after lockdown, which would you recommend?

[@mattwalkwild6784]

@@wackyswanderings3627 Thanks for the detailed feedback Dave. I agree, it sounds like the WHW would be an excellent hike to do. Hopefully I can go in Spring if the restrictions ease off!

[@s-gm]

Where did you stay?

[@thedetectorist2419]

Hello mate would you recommend this for a first time hike ?

[@mattwalkwild6784]

Hi mate I think the gradient, terrain, and accessibility make it excellent for a first thru hike. It's still challenging but definitely achievable for a first time hiker! Good luck with it!

[@dougieranger]

That pointing needs redone.