FREE HIKE 22 Km - The Seven Sisters Grand Coastal Walk

📈 GRADE 🥾🥾🥾🥾 Level 4/5 (Steep ascents and descents, moderate to intermediate)

Join us for a coastal hike that delivers big views, iconic cliffs, and legs that will definitely know they have been on an adventure. We’ll take on the classic Seven Sisters route from Seaford to Eastbourne, tackling those famous rolling ups and downs with the English Channel putting on a constant show beside us. Expect towering white chalk cliffs, fresh sea air, plenty of photo stops, and that deeply satisfying feeling of earning every view. This is a rewarding challenge for intermediate hikers who enjoy a proper walk, not a gentle beginner stroll.

At the end of the hike, there is a Wetherspoons right next to the station, with an optional nearby pub stop to relax, celebrate the achievement, and enjoy a drink or chat together, particularly if you are waiting for a train home.

🌄 Highlights

• Dramatic chalk cliffs and sweeping views across the English Channel
• Iconic rolling downs with constant ups and downs that keep the walk engaging
• Some of the most photographed coastal scenery in southern England
• Wide open landscapes with a real sense of space and exposure
• Excellent opportunities to spot coastal birds along the cliffs
• Lunch stop at Birling Gap with café facilities and sea views
• A true end-to-end coastal walk from Seaford to Eastbourne
• Satisfying finish in Eastbourne after a full day of coastal hiking

📍 Meeting point option 1
10:25 - Seaford railway station main entrance

📍 Meeting point option 2 (London group travel)
The event host AdrianB will be at the meeting point as a focal point for group travel.
08:30 - Meet at London Bridge station main ticket office
08:35 - Leave the meeting point and proceed to the platform
08:49 - Train departs London Bridge
09:52 - Arrive at Lewes and change trains, walk to Platform 2
10:08 - Board the train from Lewes to Seaford
10:27 - Arrive in Seaford

🎟️ Trains tickets from London - option 1
The organiser can pre-purchase DaySave group tickets on your behalf. Cost is £13 per person, based on groups of four. All travellers must start and finish at London Bridge.

Note: This Sunday service requires travel from London Bridge, as there is no direct service available from London Victoria. DaySave tickets are valid from London Bridge.

🎟️ Train tickets from London - option 2
You may organise your own travel. Suggested option:
Return ticket from London Bridge to Eastbourne: £29.20
Single ticket from Lewes to Seaford: £2.45
Total estimated travel cost for the day: £31.65
Ticket prices are calculated using Network Rail discount rates.

🚂 Trains from Brighton
Catch the 09:50 direct train from Brighton, arriving in Seaford at 10:27.

🚂 Trains from Hastings
Catch the 09:18 train from Hastings, change at Lewes, arriving in Seaford at 10:27.

🚗 🅿️ Car parking
Lewes Station Car Park: What3Words
Eastbourne Station Car Park: What3Words
Seaford Station Car Park (limited spaces): What3Words
Seaford Richmond Road Car Park: What3Words
Seaford West Street Car Park: What3Words

🚶 Walk starts
10:40 - Seaford railway station main entrance

🍔 Lunch
Packed lunch. We will stop at Birling Gap, which has a café.

🚻 Toilets
Available at Birling Gap during the lunch stop.

🏁 Walk ends
Eastbourne railway station at approximately 17:00 (depending on pace and breaks)

🚂 Return trains to London
17:02 - Departs Eastbourne, arrives at London Bridge at 18:28
18:02 - Departs Eastbourne, arrives at London Bridge at 19:28
19:02 - Departs Eastbourne, arrives at London Bridge at 20:28
If returning to Brighton, change trains at Lewes.
You can also travel directly from Eastbourne towards Hastings.

💪 Distance, elevation, and terrain
Distance: 22 km (13.7 miles)
Total time: approximately 6.5 hours (around 5.5 hours walking)
Ascent / Descent: 617 m up, 617 m down
Elevation range: 1 m to 162 m
Difficulty: Moderate (intermediate)

Walking pace: Moderate. We will walk at a purposeful pace, faster than a relaxed stroll but not at a high-speed endurance pace. Slower on ascents and descents, faster on the flat, with an overall average pace of around 4.5 km/h. Expect good company, plenty of encouragement on the climbs, and well-earned pauses to enjoy the views.

Terrain: A mix of grassy paths, compacted earth, and exposed sections, with repeated steep ascents and descents across rolling downs and narrow cliff-top trails. Ground can be uneven or muddy after rain, making the walk physically demanding rather than technical.

🧭 Navigation
Install AllTrails on your mobile device in case a route map needs to be shared, allowing you to navigate independently if required.

✅ Who Can Join
Adults aged 21 and over. No children or pets.

💰 Cost
Free. Optionally, the organiser can pre-purchase London group travel tickets in advance for £13 per person, providing low-cost travel between London and the hike location.

📅 RSVP and Attendance
RSVP only if you plan to attend. Please cancel as early as possible if you can no longer make it so others can join.

👣 Staying Together
You are responsible for staying with the group leader at all times. On this hike it is easy to lose sight of the group due to the open terrain. If you become separated, you may be effectively on your own, as mobile phone signal can be limited and there may be no reliable way to locate the leader. See the Waypoints and timings section below for guidance.

⏱️ Waypoints and timings
10:40 - Walk begins
13:00–14:00 - Estimated lunch stop at Birling Gap
15:00 - Meet at the red telephone box and resume walking
17:00 - Approximate arrival at Eastbourne railway station

🎒 What to bring
Packed lunch, snacks, and at least 2 litres of water
Sturdy hiking boots
Layers and waterproofs
A warm layer such as a fleece or insulating jacket
Sun protection
Personal medication
Basic first aid and blister plasters
Optional walking poles (recommended for some descents)
Fully charged phone
Head torch
Portable phone charger or power bank
Dry bags or a waterproof cover for your backpack
Whistle for emergencies
Offline maps or GPS
Some cash or a bank card
Hat and gloves for the cold

🚨 Cliff Safety Warning
This route follows exposed coastal cliffs with steep drops to the sea below. Please keep a safe distance from cliff edges at all times, as chalk cliffs can be unstable and may crumble without warning. Take extra care in windy or wet conditions, and never approach the edge for photos.

🚑 Exit points due to injury
If an attendee needs to leave the walk due to injury or unexpected fatigue, it is possible to exit at Birling Gap. From here, a taxi can be arranged, or public bus services are available to nearby towns.

📞 Contact
Please message the event host AdrianB directly via Meetup with any questions.

⚠️ Disclaimer
By joining, you confirm that you have read and accepted the group policy on the About page. You are responsible for your own safety, and neither the host nor the group can be held liable for injury, loss, or damage.

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🍃 We look forward to welcoming you on the trail.