South Downs Circular via Ouse Valley ~21km (~13mi)

📈 Grade: 🥾🥾🥾🥾Level 4/5 Moderate-Difficult

SUMMARY:
Starting in Lewes, this path takes us to the South Downs, passing through the Ouse Valley and Mount Cabon, and offers incredible views along the way. There are toilets and a water refill point at the lunch stop. We conclude at a pub near Lewes Train Station.
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ABOUT:
🥾 ~21km | Circular hike
📈 Elevation gain: ~530m | Duration: ~6 hours
📍 Start: Lewes Train Station (main entrance) at 10:00
🚆 For trains and group/discounted tickets from London, please see below.
🏁 Finish: Lewes Train Station, approx. 16:00-17:00
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⚠️ TERRAIN:
Uneven, hilly, chalky ground with loose stones and fields. There might be cattle in the fields.
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DESCRIPTION:
This is a circular, varied route, with the first half featuring some elevation as it explores the hilly landscape of the South Downs, followed by a flat stretch along the river on the way back.
Starting from Lewes, the path heads towards Ouse Valley and then up to Mount Cabon, with panoramic views of the South Downs. We then head towards Firle Beacon and Glynde before lunch. We stop for lunch at the YHA South Downs, where you can use the toilets and top up your bottle.
After lunch, the path crosses the bridge at Southease and follows the River Ouse through the countryside.
We make short stops as needed to regroup, take photographs, and enjoy the breathtaking views.
We finish our hike at Lewes Train Station.
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🌟 HIGHLIGHTS:

• Lewes
• Mount Cabon
• Ouse Valley
• Firle
• Southease
• River Ouse

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🚂 TRAINS from London

• Ticket: Return from London Victoria → Lewes.

Take the 08:54 Service from London Victoria, arriving in Lewes at 09:56, duration: 1h 2m (For group saver ticket, click HERE)

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📍 MEETING POINT AND TIME:
Walk starts: 10:00 (as soon as check-in is complete) from Lewes Train Station
Walk finishes: Approx. 16:00 to 17:00 at Lewes Train Station.
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📍 OPTIONAL GROUP TRAVEL FROM LONDON
08:20 – Meet at the London Victoria ticket office
08:35 – Leave meeting point and board the train
08:54 – Train departs London Victoria
09:56 – Arrival at Lewes
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⚠️ TERRAIN, CONDITIONS AND DIFFICULTY:
Total distance: approx. ~21km (~13miles)
Elevation gain: ~530m
Grade: Moderate to Difficult
Pace: Approx. 4.5km/h (~3mph)
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Riddle me:
Question: What call for help, when written in capital letters, is the same forwards, backwards and upside down?
🍫🍫🍫If you know the answer, come tell me, and you will get a chocolate. The first three people will receive a chocolate.
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🎒WHAT TO BRING:
- Packed lunch, snacks, and sufficient water
- Suncream and sun hat
- Proper hiking gear.
- Fully charged phone
- Personal medication and basic first aid
- Trekking poles recommended for slippery/steep ascents and descents
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📋 RSVP POLICY:
RSVP only if you plan to attend. If you can no longer make it, please update your RSVP as early as possible so others may join and organisers can plan fairly and safely. Repeated no-shows without prior notice may result in removal from the group or restrictions on future attendance.
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✅ WHO CAN JOIN
Adults aged 21 and over
No children
No pets
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👣 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 slower, feel free to pass and remain with the main group.
• Organisers may pause at suitable points to regroup.

While reasonable efforts will be made to keep the group together, it is not practical or safe to stop frequently for individuals who are 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.
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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.