Saxon Shore Way: Hastings to Rye - ~24Km (~15miles) - FREE HIKE

📈 Grade: 🥾🥾🥾🥾Level 4/5 with several hills

Not suitable for beginners.

ABOUT:
Starting from the historic town of Hastings in East Sussex, this point-to-point hike leads into the countryside through attractive woodlands, clifftop and coastal routes, offering scenic views along the way. There are public toilets at the start and the end of the walk (as well as before the lunch stop). There would be an opportunity for a little swim 🏊 after lunch. We begin our walk at Hastings Train Station and conclude at a pub near the Rye train station.
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SUMMARY:
🥾 ~24km | Point-to-Point Walk | Ascent: ~520m | Duration: ~6hours
📍 Start: Hastings Train Station at 10:00
🚆 For trains and group/discounted tickets from London, please see below.
🏁 Finish: Rye Train Station, approx. 16:00-17:00
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⚠️ TERRAIN:
Chalk grassland, wet woodland, clifftop coastal paths, gravel tracks, stairs, and hilly and uneven terrain. The route can be very muddy and slippery during the rainy season, so proper waterproof hiking gear and boots are essential.
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DESCRIPTION:
Come join us on all or some sections of the Saxon Shore Way, a 163-mile (262 km) long-distance walking trail in South-East England, stretching from Gravesend, Kent, to Hastings, East Sussex.
This walk begins in the historic town of Hastings, located within the High Weald. We head towards the beach and then the Hastings Country Park, with stunning coastal views and a unique and diverse path, including ancient chalk grassland, wet woodland, chalk streams, stairs, and clifftop paths. Our route then leads us to the top of East Hill, where we take in stunning views of the English Channel and Hastings Pier. We then head to Glen Wood. Some parts of the path can be muddy and slippery. Before lunch, there will be public toilets. We stop for lunch (and for a refreshing dip and paddle??!!) at Pett Level beach.
Shortly after lunch, we head towards Rye Harbour Nature Reserve, where we see Camber Castle. On the way, we pass by a range of rivers, including the River Tillingham and the River Brede.
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🌟 HIGHLIGHTS:

• Saxon Shore Way: Hastings to Rye
• Hastings Country Park (including Warren Glen, Dripping Well), which is a part of the High Weald National Landscape
• Coastal views
• Pett Level Beach
• Refreshing dip and paddle??!! 🏊
• Rye Nature Reserve
• Camber Castle

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🚂 TRAINs from London

• Return from London Victoria to Hastings, Journey time: 2 hours 4 minutes. Price: £13 (with a group saver ticket)
  Take the 07:54 service to Ore, arriving in Hastings at 09:58. For the return from Rye, buy a single ticket from Rye to Hastings for £5.55.

You can sign up for GroupSave tickets HERE
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📍Meeting point:

• Hastings Train Station at 10:00

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📍 MEETING POINT AND TIME:

• Walk starts: 10:00 sharp from Hastings Train Station
• Walk finishes: Approx. 16:00 to 17:00 at Rye Train Station. We will then finish the day at a Pub near the Rye Train Station.

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⚠️ TERRAIN, CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTY:

• Total distance: approx. ~24km (~15miles)
• Ascent: ~520m
• Grade: Medium-Difficult
• Pace: Approx. 4.5km/h (~3mph)

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Riddle me: I am a number, but when you add ‘G’ to me, I go away. What number am I?
🍫🍫🍫 If you know the answer, come and give it to get a chocolate. Chocolate will be provided to the first three people only.
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🎒WHAT TO BRING:
- Packed lunch, snacks, and sufficient water (at least 2L), suncream, hat
- Proper hiking boots with grips. No trainers
- Any requirements needed for a refreshing dip and paddle
- Weather-appropriate layers and proper waterproofs
- Fully charged phone
- Personal medication and basic first aid
- Trekking poles recommended for slippery ascents and descents
- Head torch
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RSVP & 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. A no-show means you RSVPed but did not attend or cancelled just before or after the start time. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations without a valid reason may lead to removal. Reliable regulars who end up on a waitlist may message the host for priority consideration.
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✅ WHO CAN JOIN
Adults aged 21 and over
No children
No pets
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STAYING TOGETHER
Participants must choose events that match their fitness and keep up with the group lead, as the overall pace will not be adjusted for individuals. A dedicated back marker may not always be present, so stay within sight of others and keep an organiser in view where possible.
If someone ahead is significantly slowing the pace, please move past them to stay with the main group. Faster walkers should wait at junctions, and organisers may pause at key points to regroup.
While we try not to leave anyone behind, it is not safe or practical for a large group to repeatedly stop for individuals unable to maintain the stated pace. Participants who cannot keep up may be asked to navigate independently at their own pace. Anyone who continues independently without informing an organiser will be assumed to be managing their own route and safety.
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💬 CONTACT:
Message the event host, Saeideh, directly via Meetup with any questions.
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⚠️ 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. Neither the host nor the group can be held liable for injury, loss, or damage