Via The Viaduct

Title - Via The Viaduct - On Its Birthday Description -
The Ouse Valley Viaduct - Now a Grade II listed building. Opened 12th July 1841, 450m long, 13m wide & 29m high. 37 spans
and 11 million bricks.

A LINEAR walk from Balcombe to Haywards Heath via the Ouse Valley Viaduct.
A stunning mixture of scenery comprising glorious open fields and shaded forests, with the civil engineering marvel that is the Ouse Valley Viaduct as a featured stop, which will also be our lunch spot.
Muster at Balcombe Railway Station at 10:30 by the car park entrance on the London Bound side - see photo. We will be taking the 09:58 Thames link train from Brighton to Bedford, which gets in just before 10:30. Eastbournians will need to check train times. We should finish around 14:30 / 15:00 depending on pace.
If you need to alter your RSVP please do so at the earliest opportunity
Distance - 11.6 km / 7.2m approx
Pace - Inclusive & Moderate
Elevation - 124m up & 3150m down
Start/Finish time - 10:30 - 14:30 approx., depending on pace.
Meeting Point - Balcombe Railway Station - North bound platform entrance
What 3 Words: ///hiding.ritual.dusters
https://w3w.co/hiding.ritual.dusters
Google Map Reference: Balcombe, Haywards Heath RH17 6JQ
Getting There
Public Transport
Thameslink train at 09:58 from Brighton to Bedford, alight at Balcombe (Efficient & Comfortable) Other routes are available
Difficulty Level, Hazards, & Conditions
Moderate - A few steep climbs, nettles & brambles in places, some cattle in field
Loos - Brighton Station, plenty of spots on the trail.
Coffee - Brighton Station & One hour in in open countryside
Lunch - BYO - at the Viaduct
Please ensure you are familiar with our few rules, an RSVP confirms that you will abide by them.
Guidance

Who We Are & How We Do Things

Acceptance Of Risk
By RSVPing to an event you agree to having had the opportunity to have read all the following & to agree to abide by the guidelines. You accept that any activity such as walking comes with its own dangers & challenges and on that basis you accept responsibility for your own health & safety & will not compromise that of others. You agree that the Organisers and walk leader can be in no way held responsible for any injury incurred to you, your guests, or your or their dogs, in the course of the walk.
Our Ethos
We are an inclusive social hiking group with walkers of all abilities, fitness levels, and health statuses, whose walks are accessible by public transport.
We walk at an inclusive but moderate pace & like to stay together. Should we concertina, we will regather, allowing people to get their breath back before moving on, particularly on the climbs.
Please treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself.
There is ONE walk leader per walk to avoid confusion. Please stay behind the walk leader ama in front of the back marker.
We run group walks, we start together, walk together, lunch together & finish together.
Cancellations & Delays
If you can't attend an event you have signed up for, please change your RSVP status to ‘Not Going’ as soon as possible, so no-one waits unnecessarily for you.
If you are going to be late, please message. Some Walk Leaders will provide their phone number if requested as Meetup messages can be delayed.
Not changing your RSVP status or informing the walk leader may result in your being removed from the group.
Leaving A Walk
If you have to leave a walk early, even for a short period, ensure the Walk Leader knows and has acknowledged that.
Becoming Ill Or Injured
If you become ill or injured during a hike, kindly inform the walk leader, or ask another walker to do so for you.
Kit & Provisions
Be appropriately clothed, booted, equipped & prepared for emergencies and have sufficient & appropriate drinks, food & snacks with you.
Pet Parents & Four Legged Members
Dogs are important members of our group and always very welcome, however on a lead around livestock please, for everyone's benefit.
Weather
The weather forecast can change, so keep an eye on Event Chat and messages in case the weather prompts a cancellation.
Finally
Have Fun!