FREE HIKE 24 km | Lewes Circular [Small Group]

Lewes Circular via Mount Caburn, Glynde, Southease & the Downs

This varied circular walk begins and ends in the historic town of Lewes, offering a fine blend of chalk downland, quiet villages, and sweeping views.

From Lewes, we ascend to Mount Caburn, a prominent hill topped with an Iron Age fort and one of the South Downs’ most iconic viewpoints. The path then drops into the charming village of Glynde, where the landscape opens wide across rolling farmland.

Continuing southwards, we cross the River Ouse to reach Southease, with its distinctive round-towered church, one of only three of its kind in Sussex. Here the walk picks up the South Downs Way, climbing steadily onto the ridge.

The route takes us over Mill Hill, Front Hill, and Ilford Hill, a rewarding sequence of summits with far-reaching panoramas over the Downs, the Ouse Valley, and the English Channel on a clear day.
From here, we curve back towards Lewes, descending gradually to complete the circuit in this vibrant market town, with plenty of options for a well-earned drink or meal.

🌟 HIGHLIGHTS:

• Panoramic views from Mount Caburn and the Downs ridge.
• Historic villages of Glynde and Southease.
• A ridge walk across Mill, Front, and Ilford Hills.
• Circular route finishing conveniently in Lewes.

💪 TERRAIN, CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTY:

• Distance: 24 km
• Ascent: 532 m
• Descent: 534 m
• Max elevation: 188 m
• Moving time: ~6 hours
• Total time: ~7 hours
• Average pace: ~4.5 to ~5.5 km/h (comfortable, not a stroll, not endurance pace)
• Stamina and pacing test over a long but rewarding day outdoors
• Mixed terrain: chalk downland, hills, farmland tracks, and riverside paths, offering variety and endurance training
• Hill sequence: Mount Caburn + South Downs ridge (Mill Hill, Front Hill, Ilford Hill) provides sustained cardiovascular effort and strength work for legs

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✅ WHO CAN ATTEND:
📢 This is a small group hike - To keep the group fast, safe and enjoyable for everyone, the organiser may accept or decline attendees based on their previous attendance history. To ensure fairness and safety, entry may be declined for individuals who, for example:

• 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 approve participants.

• 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, Southease.

🚆 TRAIN COSTS FROM LONDON:

• Return: £25.30 from London Victoria to Lewes with a NetworkRailcard discount.

📍MEETING POINT 1:

• 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
• Get off the train and exit through the barriers on the platform where you disembarked.

📍MEETING POINT 2:

• 10:10 next to the platform barriers Lewes railway station car park

🚶WALK STARTS:

• 10:15 Lewes railway station car park

🥪 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. 18:00 at Lewes railway station

🔁 RETURN TRAINS towards London:

• 18:13 – Departs Lewes , arrives London Victoria at 19:35

🎒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.