FREE HIKE 31 km | Coastbound Challenge - Lewes to Eastbourne

Embark on a rewarding full-day adventure from the historic market town of Lewes to the lively seaside of Eastbourne. The route follows well-marked trails that sweep over the rolling green hills of the South Downs, offering vast horizons, a rhythm of gentle strolls, heart-pumping climbs, and the occasional “why-do-I-do-this-to-myself” moment.

At times, the path meanders near the high northern edge of the Downs, where the slopes drop steeply toward the patchwork fields, woods, and winding lanes of the Weald below, all from a safe and steady distance. From here, the views stretch for miles, with the mosaic of countryside unfolding all the way to the distant horizon. Perfect for catching your breath and pretending you stopped just to admire the scenery.

It’s not just a walk in the park. While there are plenty of moments worth pausing for, this is a full-body workout with steady climbs, sweeping descents, and sections that will take your breath away, both literally and figuratively. Expect to work hard, break a sweat, and question your life choices on the uphills, only to have them gloriously validated by the views.

⚠️ TERRAIN, CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTY:

• Distance: 31 km (19.3 miles)
• Elevation gain: Ascent: 783 m | Descent: 792 m
• Maximum elevation: 215 m | Minimum elevation 0 m
• Terrain: A mix of gravel tracks, open chalk downland, grassy slopes, farm paths, muddy fields, and occasional wooded sections.
• Difficulty: STRENUOUS - This is a long-distance hike with undulating hills, some very steep sections, and open plains.
• Average moving pace: ~4.2 km/h (brisk on easy flat sections)
• Approx walking time: 7.5 to 8 hours
• Approx total duration: 9 hours including breaks
• Participants must be confident in their ability to walk distances of up to 35 km, accounting for potential route diversions. These may include re-routing to avoid livestock, navigating around flooded low-lying sections, and undertaking steep ascents.
• Fitness Gauge: If you’ve completed the Surrey Three Peaks Challenge (around 37–40 km with 1,000+ m of ascent), you’ll find this Lewes–Eastbourne hike slightly shorter but with less total climbing. However, the exposed South Downs ridges (little or no tree cover, exposed to the elements) and a steady pace (average ~4.2 km/h over the full day) could make it feel just as demanding. If Surrey 3 Peaks left you struggling to keep pace, this route may do too.

🥾 The journey kicks off with a steady climb over the Lewes Downs, where the horizon suddenly opens to sweeping views across the Ouse Valley. It serves as a gentle reminder that this is only the warm-up. You then drop into the quiet charm of Glynde, just long enough to wonder if you should quit while you’re ahead.

From there, the trail rises again over Mount Caburn and onward to Firle Beacon, one of the crown jewels of the Downs. This is where the world feels huge, the air feels cleaner, and the breeze hits like nature’s own round of applause. It is also where you might swear you have reached the top three times before you actually have.

A gentle descent leads into the postcard-perfect village of Alfriston, before the path pulls you back onto higher ground towards Jevington. One final push takes you over Willingdon Hill, where the reward is a glorious downhill roll into Eastbourne with the sea shimmering ahead. It is a finish line you can see long before you reach it, just to taunt you a little.

As we enter Eastbourne, we will head straight to the station, where you can choose to hop on the train home, grab a pint, or wander down to the seafront and let your legs know they have earned it.

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✅ Who Can Attend
This is a very small group for fit and fast hikers. To ensure fairness and group safety, we will not admit individuals to the event if they:

• Have a history of no-shows or frequent last-minute cancellations
• Are unfamiliar to the organisers
• Do not appear to meet the required fitness level

How to Join
Please sign up via the waitlist. We will review all requests and manually add approved participants to the event.

• If approved: ✅ You’ll be moved from the waitlist to the going list.
• If not approved: ❌ You’ll remain on the waitlist or be marked as not going.

Thank you for your understanding.
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🛑 IMPORTANT: THIS HIKE IS STRENUOUS AND NOT SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS OR SLOW WALKERS. PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR FITNESS LEVEL BEFORE JOINING TO AVOID FALLING BEHIND.

🚑🚕 EXIT POINTS:
If someone becomes injured or is unable to keep up and complete the route, the following locations are suitable exit points where you can get a taxi to the nearest train station: Glynde, Alfriston, Jevington.

🚆 TRAIN COSTS FROM LONDON:

• Standard Return: £29.20 from London Victoria to Eastbourne with a NetworkRailcard discount.

📍MEETING POINT:

• 08:15 – Meet at London Victoria railway station, ticket office
• 08:35 – Walk to platform and board train
• 08:47 – Train departs London Victoria
• 10:08 – Arrive at Lewes

🚶WALK STARTS:

• Meeting point to be confirmed closer to the time.

🥪 FOOD:

• Bring a packed lunch and plenty of snacks and water

🚻 TOILETS:

• Facilities en route are courtesy of Mother Nature, choose your bush wisely and watch for nettles! 🌿

🏁 WALK FINISHES:

• Approx. 19:00 at Eastbourne railway station

🔁 RETURN TRAINS towards London:

• 19:05 – Departs Eastbourne, arrives London Victoria at 20:36

🎒WHAT TO BRING:

• Packed lunch & snacks
• At least 2 litres of water
• Sturdy hiking boots (comfortable for long distances)
• Layered clothing & waterproof jacket
• Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
• Basic first aid (blister plasters, pain relief)
• Personal medication
• Optional: walking poles
• Fully charged phone

📞CONTACT:

• If you have any questions, please private message the event host directly via Meetup.
• A contact phone number will be provided on the day.

❗DISCLAIMER:
By joining this event, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted the Disclaimer and General Group Policy listed on our Meetup home page. You attend this walk at your own risk.