Cuckoo Trail Cycle Route Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
The Cuckoo Trail runs from Heathfield to Polegate, passing through Hellingly, Horam, and Hailsham. The trail got its name from an old tradition of releasing a cuckoo at the Heathfield Fair, and offers 14 miles of traffic-free bliss in East Sussex.
This is a disused railway, and so is mainly flat, with gentle gradients. It forms part of NCN 21.
Be aware that the entire route isn’t traffic-free. When it reaches Hailsham, there are two fairly short on-road sections, but the roads are mainly quiet.
There are no cafés directly on the trail, which is a huge missed opportunity.
Surface
The surface is almost entirely tarred, and mostly smooth. Be aware that there are some bumpy bits, though they are the exception.
Bikes
The cuckoo trail can be cycled using basically any type of standard bicycle.
Toilets
Toilets aren’t directly on the trail. However, in Heathfield there are toilets in the Waitrose. The next toilets are in the Asda, in Hailsham – that’s slightly off the trail.
Ratings
Safety: ⭐⭐⭐
Hilliness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Refreshment stops: ⭐
Barriers: ⭐⭐
Surface: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐
Points of Interest
Look out for Herstmonceux Castle, some 4 miles off the Cuckoo Trail.
Routes in Sussex
- Centurion Way traffic-free cycle route
- Downs Link Traffic-free Cycle Route
- Cuckoo Trail Traffic-free Cycle Route
Barriers
There are some barriers along the Cuckoo Trail. They’re easily passable on a touring bike with panniers on, but trikes, trailers and cargo bikes may struggle.
Forecast for the Cuckoo Trail
What it looks like
DayCycle
DayCycle routes are routes can can easily be cycled by most people in a day, or part of a day. Do have a look at all the other DayCycle routes available on WillCycle. Many contain detailed route guides, as well as embedded maps (like the one below) from which you can download the GPX file for the route.
I cycled this today (from Horam down to Polegate) and it was a very pleasant ride (and surprisingly free of people/bikes in most parts – possibly due to the weather). I agree about the barriers and Heathfield road section – which really could use better signing. Something to consider in wet weather is that a few sections can get rather flooded (only inches, but enough to slow you down).