The Cuckoo Trail from Polegate to Heathfield

The Cuckoo Trail follows the old Cuckoo Line north from Polegate through Hailsham, Hellingly and Horam to Heathfield. The railway reached Hailsham in 1849 and Heathfield in 1880, closed in the 1960s, and has been a trail since 1990. It runs between hedges, farmland and woods, with carved wooden seats and sculptures along the way.

It is 36.3 km (22.6 miles) there and back with 128 m of climbing; allow about 2½ hours of riding. The grade is Moderate. The trail climbs gently all the way to Heathfield, so the return is the easy half. For a shorter ride turn round at Hailsham, 5 km out, Hellingly, 8 km, or Horam, 14 km.

The surface is tarmac throughout and suits every bike, children and trailers. It is nearly all traffic-free, but there is a short stretch on a residential road in Hailsham, and roads to cross at Hailsham, Horsebridge and Heathfield. Horse riders use some sections, and the trail is well used: it counts some 250,000 visits a year.

Polegate has a railway station, where our line starts, and on-street parking; there are free car parks at Hailsham, Hellingly, Horam and Heathfield. The old platform at Horam has a café with toilets, water and a bike pump.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.