Description
Houghton Forest, also known as Whiteways, is a Forestry England woodland on the South Downs above Arundel in West Sussex, with an unwaymarked network of rooty singletrack and fire road riding for novice and intermediate mountain bikers, plus a bridleway loop out to Bignor Hill for a longer gravel ride. It's compact enough that you won't get too lost if you choose to explore.
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The Trails
- Rooty, twisting singletrack in open woodland links up with fire roads throughout the forest, with bomb holes, short steep descents, small drops and rolling jumps along the way.
- None of the riding here is waymarked or graded, so download a route or use GPS navigation before you set off.
Gravel Riding
- A bridleway runs along the western edge of Houghton Forest and links into the wider Bignor Hill and South Downs Way network, giving a longer gravel and chalky-track loop out onto the downs above the forest, starting from the same car park as the MTB riding.
Clubs and Groups
- Sussex Muddy Arse is a local MTB club that has been running rides in the area for over a decade, with a regular ride on the last Sunday of every month.
Getting Here
- Park at Whiteways Lodge car park, just off the A29 at the southeastern end of the forest (BN18 9FD), and head into the forest behind the cafe.
- Parking is free, and there's a cafe at the car park, reopened under new management after a 2025 refurbishment.
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