Length: 27.3 km (17.0 mi) [shorter walk possible, see below]
Ascent/Descent: 629/624m
Net Walking Time: ca. 6 ½ hours
Toughness: 8 out of 10
Take the 09.54 Ore train from Victoria (CJ 10.01, EC
10.10), change at Lewes (10.56/11.00) onto the Seaford train,
arrives Southease 11.06.
Should the Ore train miss the connection at Lewes, take the 11.14 Eastbourne stopping service, arrives Glynde
11.19 and Berwick 11.25, and walk the alternative start routes from Glynde or Berwick.
Return trains from Eastbourne: xx.05 and xx.33.
This walk along the South Downs Way (SDW) consists of spectacular ridge
walks with three steep ascents and a picturesque village in the middle for
lunch and another one for tea, and with Beachy Head, Eastbourne promenade,
beach and pier at the finish. It is a long but very rewarding walk. The route
is well waymarked, the paths are easy walking, and the route is easy to follow.
The South Downs are treeless and open, so there are good views throughout
(weather permitting).
The walk starts at Southease Station, right on the SDW, and climbs the
first ridge straight away, up to Itford Hill and then along the ridge to Firle
Beacon, the highest point of the walk. There is an alternative start in Glynde
in case the train misses the connection at Lewes for Southease.
At the end of the ridge, you descend into Alfriston, a pretty village in
the scenic Cuckmere Valley, with a village green dominated by a large church.
Several good pubs and tea rooms and a village shop vie for your lunch
business.After lunch, follow the northern leg of the SDW up and over Windover
Hill and down to Jevington (tea room and pub) before a final climb to head
south along another ridge towards the coast.
There is an inland shortcut into Eastbourne if you are tired, but the
suggested route is to continue along the ridge to the coast, to join up with
the SDW's Coastal Route near Beachy Head. From here, head downhill into
Eastbourne, where you follow the promenade along the beach into town towards
the pier.
Walk Options:
Start at Glynde Station: similar distance, but connection at Lewes
not so tight.
Shortcut into Eastbourne: descend
earlier into Eastbourne and follow roads to the station rather than the seaside
promenade (cut 2.5 km).
Start at Berwick Station: follow the waymarked
Vanguard Way to Alfriston.
Lunch: plenty options in Alfriston.
Tea: tea room and pub in Jevington.
For summary, walk directions, map,
height profile, photos and gpx/kml files click here. T=swc.25
1 comment:
As reported to me: 2 started in Lewes and met 2 others in Alfriston who had started from Berwick. The two sets of 2 separated again for the afternoon. 17.33 train
N=4 w=one-early-shower
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