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 refreshing 🏊 after lunch. We begin our walk at Hastings Train Station and conclude at a pub near the Rye train station.
---
SUMMARY:
🥾 ~24km | Point-to-Point Walk | Elevation gain: ~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
---
⚠️ 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.
---
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. 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 in the rainy season. We stop for lunch (and for a refreshing dip and paddle??!!) at Pett Level beach. There will be toilets right before the lunch spot.
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. We finish our walk at the Rye Train Station.
---
🌟 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
• Spring flowers (e.g., buttercup and poppy)
• Camber Castle

---
🚂 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
---
📍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.
---
⚠️ TERRAIN, CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTY:
Total distance: approx. ~24km (~15miles)
Ascent/Descend: 140/10m
Grade: Medium-Difficult
Pace: Approx. 4.5km/h (~3mph)
---
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 only to the first three people.
---
🎒WHAT TO BRING:
- Packed lunch, snacks, and sufficient water (at least 2L), suncream, hat
- Proper hiking gear
- Any requirements needed for a refreshing dip and paddle
- Fully charged phone
- Personal medication and basic first aid
- Trekking poles recommended for slippery ascents and descents
---
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.
---
✅ WHO CAN JOIN
Adults aged 21 and over
No children
No pets
---
👣 GROUP PACE & PARTICIPATION GUIDELINES
This is a friendly, social hike where we walk together and enjoy the experience as a group.
Please stay with the group rather than walking ahead independently, as the aim is to connect, share the journey, and help maintain safety and group cohesion.
Participants should choose events suitable for their fitness level and be able to maintain the advertised pace. The overall pace and schedule will not be adjusted for individuals.
A back marker may not always be present, so participants should keep others in sight and remain within a reasonable distance of the group.
To help keep the group together:

• Faster walkers should wait at junctions.
• If someone ahead is moving significantly more slowly, feel free to pass and rejoin the main group.
• Organisers may pause at suitable points to regroup.

While reasonable efforts will be made to keep the group together, it is neither practical nor safe to stop frequently for individuals unable to maintain the required pace. In such cases, participants may need to continue at their own pace or make their own onward arrangements.
If you choose to move ahead of the group, fall significantly behind, or leave the group structure, you will be considered to be continuing independently and responsible for your own route, decisions, and safety. If you do so without informing an organiser, it will be assumed that you are managing independently.
By attending, you agree to follow these guidelines.
---
💬 CONTACT:
Message the event host, Saeideh, 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. Neither the host nor the group can be held liable for injury, loss, or damage