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:
Car park next to the pub, opposite the bus stop. Grid ref: TQ258109
1
In the car park (opposite the bus stop), with the pub on your left, look for a path through a gap in the hedge on your right. Just beyond the gap go over the stile and continue down the steep path towards a bridle gate. Turn left just before it onto a bridleway which runs parallel to the fence line along the top of the Dyke valley. If you look up the hill to your left you will see the grassy slope which is the site of the Iron Age hill fort. Continue straight along the bridleway and through another bridle gate after about 700 metres. (If you have strayed onto an upper path which veers to the left head down the slope towards the fence line and you will see the gate.)
Butterflies you may see
In May and June green hairstreaks are usually numerous here. Also look out for brown argus, Adonis blue and chalkhill blue butterflies.
2
Immediately after the bridle gate, swing left onto an upward-sloping narrow path. The path disappears into open downland where you can meander around to the left and slightly downwards until you approach the escarpment: the sharp drop down to the Weald and Poynings village. Look down to your right and you will see a long flight of steps into the woodland.
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
Descending the steps you will come to a kissing gate. Go through it, make an immediate right turn (ignoring the rest of the steps) and follow the woodland track until you reach a bridleway crossing your path. Slightly to the left of where you are, on the other side of this bridleway, you will find a path leading downhill to the right. Follow this path for around 500 metres and go down the steps and over the stile leading to the bottom of the Dyke valley. Please note that these paths have steep sections and can be slippery after wet weather.
Woodland butterflies and flowers
In the wooded section you may see speckled wood butterflies and in spring flowers such as bluebells, wood anemones and early purple orchids can be found.
4
Just after the stile turn right and follow the main path up the valley. Near the summit the path swings to the right and leads to a bridle gate. Go through the gate, up past the waymarking post and straight up to the stile leading 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:
Car park next to the pub, opposite the bus stop. Grid ref: TQ258109
