FREE HIKE 29km | Between the South Downs and the Seven Sisters

SUMMARY:
🥾 29 km | Circular route | Ascent: 1043 m | ~7 hours
📍 Start: Eastbourne at 10:00 | 🚆 Direct train from London Victoria
🏁 Finish: Eastbourne approx. 17:00-18:00
⚠️ Coastal cliffs & Uneven terrain
📈 Grade: Moderate/Strenuous

ABOUT:
Discover this stunning 29 kilometres (18 miles) circular trail near Eastbourne, East Sussex. Considered a challenging route due to its distance and elevation gain, we estimate around 7 hours to complete with breaks.

Open year-round, this scenic route offers a beautiful mix of landscapes, including coastal paths, woodland trails, and farmland tracks. Along the cliffs, you’ll enjoy sweeping views over the English Channel, while the woodland and open fields provide opportunities to spot local wildlife.

DESCRIPTION:
Starting in Eastbourne, we head through town and ascend to the Eastbourne Golf Course to begin our anticlockwise loop. The trail leads us through scenic countryside to Jevington, known for its banoffee pie origins.
We continue west through Lullington Heath, a rare chalk heath teeming with wildlife, before reaching Litlington, home to the striking White Horse chalk figure.
In Westdean, we pass historic sites including a Saxon-windowed church and a Norman dovecote with a unique revolving ladder.
Climbing the Seven Sisters, we enjoy dramatic cliff-top views, stop by Birling Gap with its beach access, and pass the Belle Tout Lighthouse, famously relocated to avoid erosion.
We then reach Beachy Head, Britain’s highest chalk sea cliff, offering sweeping views over the English Channel.
The loop finishes near the golf course, with a final stretch back into Eastbourne for a well-earned drink

HIGHLIGHTS:
Breathtaking views, diverse terrain, and a mix of coast, cliffs, and hills. Challenges include steep ascents and uneven paths.

COST:

• Free

TRAINS:

• Outbound: 08:24 from London Victoria to Eastbourne (direct train)
• Arrival: 09:51 at Eastbourne

MEETING POINT & TIME:

• Meet: 09:50 at outside the main entrance of the Eastbourne railway station
• Walk starts: 10:00 from Eastbourne railway station
• Walk finishes: Approx. 17:00–18:00 in Eastbourne

DISTANCE AND DIFFICULTY

• Total distance: approx 29 km (18 miles)
• Ascent: 1043 m | Descent: 1042 m
• Max elevation: 199 m | Min elevation: 3 m
• Grading: Moderate/Strenuous
• Time: Approx. 7 hours (with breaks)
• Pace: 4–5 km/h (~3 mph)

GUIDE:

• See attendee list

WHAT TO BRING:

• Water (2 litres recommended)
• Snacks and packed lunch
• Rainproof (ideally waterproof) clothing
• Sturdy shoes or hiking boots

SAFETY:
⚠️ Cliff Safety Warning:

• Stay at least 3 metres from the edge. Chalk cliffs are fragile and can collapse suddenly. There are no barriers, so extreme caution is essential. A slip or a collapse could result in a fatal accident.
• Take extra care on rougher sections, especially during or after rain, and be mindful of livestock in active farmland. Sturdy, appropriate footwear is essential.
• As adults, you are fully responsible for your own safety and decisions throughout the walk.

NOTES:

• This is a group hike led by volunteers. Everyone is welcome to join.
• A few wrong turns in the woods? That’s part of the fun!
• While you're free to “hike your own hike,” we encourage group participation, get to know one another, make new friends, and enjoy the journey together.
• The steepest ascents are between Westdean and Beachy Head.
• Food options are limited en route, bring lunch.
• Be prepared for strong coastal winds and sudden changes in weather. Check forecasts in advance.

DISCLAIMER:
Event Participation Disclaimer
By signing up for an event we host, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

• The organisers are not qualified hiking leaders, certified first aiders, or formally trained in navigation, survival, or any related disciplines.
• These hikes are informal, self-guided gatherings of like-minded individuals.
• The hosts expressly disclaim all responsibility and liability for any injuries, accidents, or safety incidents that may occur during participation.
• Participation is entirely voluntary, and all attendees are solely responsible for their own safety and well-being.
• These events are non-commercial and are organised purely as a recreational hobby, with no business or financial interests involved.
• Hiking and outdoor activities inherently carry risks of personal injury. By choosing to participate, you accept these risks and take full responsibility for your own actions and decisions.

General Group Policy

• Voluntary Participation: Attendance is at your own risk. The group and hosts bear no liability.
• No Professional Duty of Care: Hosts are volunteers, not trained guides or medical professionals.
• Insurance Is Your Responsibility: If desired, you must arrange your own personal insurance.
• Respect Nature: Follow Leave No Trace principles at all times.
• Emergency Preparedness: You are responsible for organising your own emergency plan.
• Weather and Safety: Events may be cancelled or changed if conditions are deemed unsafe.
• Self-Assessment Required: You must honestly assess your fitness and ability to keep pace with the group.
• No Guaranteed Rescue: While help may be offered, full rescue capabilities should not be expected.
• No Minors Without Guardians: Participants must be over 21.
• Right to Refuse Participation: Hosts may turn away any individual who appears unprepared or poses a safety risk to others.
• First Aid Preparedness Encouraged: It is highly recommended that each participant carries a small first aid kit for minor injuries such as cuts, scrapes, bites, and blisters.

Final Acknowledgement
By attending this event, you confirm that you are participating voluntarily and at your own risk. Neither the host nor the group accepts responsibility for any injury, loss, or damage incurred.