Chichester Harbour
Chichester Harbour Loop
Distance – 9.6km – 6 miles Difficulty – Easy
Parking: North Shore Car Park, Orchard Lane, Chichester, PO20 7AE. what3words location – ///ocean.adjust.disbanded
This walk starts in the pretty sailing village of Itchenor by Chichester Harbour, and takes you along the harbour until you reach West Wittering, when the walk heads inland and takes you through the picturesque West Wittering village and onto the Salterns Way, a cycle path, back to Itchenor. This walk, whilst a bit longer in distance, is completely flat and generally, the ground is good.
There is a cafe located a couple of minutes walk from the car park which serves up hot and cold drinks as well as paninis, homemade cakes and sausage rolls. They also have a good selection of vegetarian and vegan options. There is also the opportunity to stop for refreshments in West Wittering, which is just over halfway around.
Walk Directions
Download the route directions as PDF
Map Route
- This walk starts at the North Shore Car Park, located in Itchenor village, which is reasonably large so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find a space. Follow the signs off the main road into Itchenor as shown below. Just a note that this is a pay and display car park.
2. Start the walk by heading down to the other end of the car park from the entrance, where there is a wooden signpost. Follow the path to the right until you come out onto the path running along Chichester harbour.
3. Take the path to the left, where you will continue on this path for a while, which runs alongside the harbour.
4. Continue following the path, which will take you through the narrower path as shown below.
5. The path then takes you away from the harbour briefly, continue following the sign straight on (admiring the pretty houses along the way!).
6. After following the path through the houses, it brings you back out onto the harbour as you head towards West Wittering.
7. As you continue along this path, you will eventually reach a gate, where you can continue straight ahead which takes you inland, or you can continue right staying alongside the harbour. This walk takes you to the right (although you can turn inland here if you wish to make the walk shorter). Continue following the path alongside the harbour, taking you past a bird hide until you reach another signpost, leading in 4 directions. Take the path to the left, which will start to take you inland.
8. Follow the signs which will bring you out onto Pound Road in the pretty village of West Wittering. Here, take a left and follow the road through the village. There is a café on the left, ‘The Landing’, if you’re in need of refreshments! At the end of Pound Road, take a left and continue on the pavement next to the B2179. There are some beautiful cottages on this road, including the one shown below!
9. Continue up this road for a while, until the road turns a corner, at which point, take the path off to the left of the corner up Sheepwash Lane.
10. The walk then continues up Salterns Way. Salterns Way is a 12 mile long cycle route from the centre of Chichester to East Head, which makes for a great bike ride. Continue up the Salterns Way, which continues straight for a while. Where there is the opportunity to turn right or left, take the left path (which essentially continues you straight on).
11. Where this path splits into 4, take the path straight over and continue on this path until you reach the road. Once you come out onto the road (Itchenor Road), take the road to the left, which will take you back down to Itchenor, and the car park.
