Walking trail
Devil's Dyke butterfly walk
There are lots of butterflies of note on this walk, including large populations of Adonis blue, chalkhill blue and green hairstreak and smaller populations of brown argus, dark-green fritillary and silver-spotted skipper. Also, large populations of six-spot burnet moths (day-flying) and all three species of day-flying forester moth. There are a variety of chalk grassland flowers too, including drifts of common rockrose and horseshoe vetch and frequent carline thistle, dropwort and downland orchids.
Map
Start:
Main car park by Devil's Dyke Hotel, grid ref: TQ257110
1
From the car park, take the first on the right, just by the roundabout, climb over the bank and walk down a short section of path. Turn left on to the main path running along the top of the Iron Age hill fort embankment. At the far end there are some stunted oaks.
Green hairstreaks and other butterflies
Green hairstreaks are usually numerous here during May and early June, with the males perching on the bushes. Also brown argus and various blue butterflies.
2
Swing left off the path after the bridle gate, to wander over the lower slope of the open downland, heading down-slope of two stunted oaks on the spur, and dropping down to pick up a long flight of steps leading down to a kissing gate amongst hazel bushes.
Butterflies
A rich area of open fescue turf with a general butterfly interest, including many marbled whites and some dark-green fritillaries during July. Look for butterflies on tall thistle flowers in areas cleared of scrub, and on carline thistles during late summer.
3
After the kissing gate at the foot of the steps, turn right to follow the main path through ash woodland. Straight over a cross rides and descend a flight of some 20 steps, cross the stile into the bottom of Dyke Valley.
Butterflies and flowers
A wooded section, with butterflies including speckled wood and spring flowers such as early purple orchids.
4
After the stile, turn right to follow the main path up the Dyke's bottom, all the way up. (In windy weather, stay on this path but in calm weather follow one of the sheep tracks running along the lower slope, rejoining the main path later). Near the summit, the main path sweeps right. Follow it through the bridle gate back into the car park where you started.
Butterflies and other wildlife
Many green hairstreaks in spring, especially on sunny bushes, numerous brown argus, Adonis and chalkhill blues, and small heath and a few silver-spotted skippers in August and dark-green fritillaries in July. All three species of brilliant-green day-flying forester moth occur here, along with numerous burnt moths. A tremendous show of downland flowers, including carpets of rockrose and horseshoe vetch, and much dropwort and autumn gentian.
End:
Main car park by Devil's Dyke Hotel, grid ref: TQ257110
