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Beachy Head Lighthouse to Beachy Head View loop from Exceat — South Downs National Park

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Beachy Head Lighthouse to Beachy Head View loop from Exceat — South Downs National Park

Hard

4.9

(424)

3,451

hikers

Beachy Head Lighthouse to Beachy Head View loop from Exceat — South Downs National Park

07:01

24.8km

520m

Hiking

Embark on a challenging 15.4-mile (24.8 km) hike through the dramatic coastal landscapes of the South Downs National Park. This difficult route, which takes around 7 hours to complete, features undulating downland paths and sections along chalk cliffs, requiring sure-footedness as you navigate its 1711 feet (521 metres) of elevation…

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

South Downs National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

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4.47 km

View of the Seven Sisters Cliffs from Crowlink Path

Highlight • Trail

The path leads beautifully along the chalk cliffs through the hills, a unique experience. There are always spectacular views of the cliffs of the Seven Sisters and the sea, but be careful, the area is not secured.

Translated by Google •

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6.35 km

Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters Cliffs

Highlight • Natural Monument

A busy hub for people coming to walk and admire the Seven Sisters chalk cliffs. There is a cafe, toilet block, ice cream van (in summer), shop, visitors’ centre and lots of indoor and outdoor seating.

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7.55 km

Belle Tout Lighthouse

Highlight • Monument

The Belle Tout lighthouse was the original one at Beachy Head. It was built in 1832 and operated until the end of the century. The light was becoming ineffective due …

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8.67 km

View of Beachy Head Cliffs and Lighthouse

Highlight • Natural Monument

This route is part of South Downs Way, a prominent long-distance footpath covering 100 miles (160 km) from Winchester in Hampshire to Eastbourne in Sussex. Sometimes pretty crowded with lots of school kids.

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9.34 km

Beachy Head and Lighthouse

Highlight • Viewpoint

Beachy Head is an iconic landmark close to Eastbourne. At 162m (531ft) it looms above the sea, its high chalky peak easily recognisable. Its name comes from the French 'beau chef', meaning beautiful headland.

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9.49 km

View of Beachy Head and the Beachy Head Lighthouse

Highlight • Viewpoint

This lighthouse was built in 1902. The original lighthouse, that being Belle Tout, was moved in one piece in 1999 following cliff erosion. A new lighthouse was then built. In …

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12.5 km

South Downs Way Trailhead (Eastbourne)

Highlight • Trail

This is the start or finish point of the 100-mile (160 km) South Downs Way at Eastbourne, depending on if you hike or cycle the route east or west.

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24.8 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

22.1 km

1.88 km

620 m

214 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

20.4 km

1.33 km

1.20 km

966 m

692 m

214 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (130 m)

Lowest point (0 m)

Weather

Monday 20 July

22°C

12°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 16.0 km/h

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Comments

May 8, 2024,Seven Sisters Trail Hike Seaford nach Eastbourne🥾

Fantastic trail always along the south coast. Absolutely great, scenic tour with highlights such as the light tower. The surface changes between mostly soft meadow paths and light gravel paths.
Brilliant - absolutely recommended🥾🤩

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May 25, 2025,UK | Beachy Head & Seven Sisters

Elevation meters are nonsense. Maybe around 800 in total...

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June 27, 2023,Seven Sisters

Return by coach from Eastbourn. It runs every 20 minutes.

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May 28, 2026,🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Beachy Head und 7 Sisters von Eastbourne aus.

A first-class hiking highlight in GB. The return journey is comfortably made by public bus.

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May 28, 2023,🇬🇧 Westdean - Birling Gap - Eastbourne Rail Station

If you like crowds, you should do the hike on Pentecost Sunday like I did. Parking lots and bus stops are located directly or near the hiking route. Therefore, many walkers are on the way. I recommend not to do without West Dean (sometimes also spelled Westdean) on the tour. There is a tea room and take-away kiosk at the …

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April 7, 2023,Hiked the seven sisters from Eastbourne, chose to rock hop to the gap, set of at high tide to be sure of not getting cut off. going was tough but well worth the hardship. difficulty would be up there. not for the faint hearted.

Hiked the seven sisters from Eastbourne, chose to rock hop to the gap, set of at high tide to be sure of not getting cut off. going was tough but well worth the hardship. difficulty would be up there. not for the faint hearted.

June 13, 2025,South Downs Way'25 #8 Alfriston - Eastbourne

A word about the South Downs Way. It's a leisurely and scenic walk, but it shouldn't be underestimated. If you want to stay overnight in pubs (recommended), you'll head down to the village every day and back up again the next morning. So, the official 3,000 meters of elevation gain will likely turn into close to 4,000. Support is sporadic, …

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July 19, 2025,Seaford to Eastbourne (Seven Sisters Cliffs)

Yes i crossed the river. The water was knee height.

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Beachy Head Lighthouse to Beachy Head View loop from Exceat — South Downs National Park

View of the Seven Sisters Cliffs from Crowlink Path

Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters Cliffs

Belle Tout Lighthouse

View of Beachy Head Cliffs and Lighthouse

Beachy Head and Lighthouse

View of Beachy Head and the Beachy Head Lighthouse

South Downs Way Trailhead (Eastbourne)

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