Walk from Hastings to Pett Level

The walk: Start from the East Hill Cliff Railway at Rock-a-Nore at the Eastern end of Hastings seafront. Climb the steps (or take the Cliff Railway) up to East Hill and walk the coastal path through Hastings Country Park to Firehills, then along through Fairlight Cove Village to the village of Pett Level. Get the bus back to Hastings. The walk includes a roller-coaster of three 'glens' (Ecclesbourne, Fairlight and Warren), and options to explore the beach at Covehurst Bay in Fairlight Glen, and Fairlight Beach from Pett Level.

Map

NB The map shows my route, with various diversions and excursions which you may not wish to follow precisely.

Why do it: Hastings Old Town. The Stade area at Rock-a-Nore, with its beach launched fishing fleet and tall black sheds for drying fishing nets. The vintage East Hill (Funicular) Railway. Fine views from East Hill over the Old Town, and beyond to Beachy Head. Hastings Country Park, embracing the whole area from East Hill to Firehills, including three 'glens' with luxuriant vegetation, and sweeping views over to Dungeness. Optional descent to the rocky (naturist) beach at Covehurst Bay (sometimes called Fairlight Glen Beach). Search for tree fragments from the prehistoric submerged forest on Fairlight Beach (ie the beach heading West from Pett Level under the Fairlight headland).

East Hill Cliff Railway

Distance: 7 miles (excluding any wandering around Fairlight Beach)

Logistics: Park at Rock-a-Nore pay car park at the Eastern end of the sea front at the Old Town. Ascend the East Hill cliff railway if it is operating (check web, seasonal, and requires frequent maintenance). If the railway is closed, you can ascend by the nearby 'Tamarisk Steps'. Get the bus back from Pett Level to Hastings Old Town (Roebuck Street), a short walk from the start. (In 2023, the bus was the 101 Wave, but things change so check the web for the latest services). You could also shorten the walk by ascending to bus stop on the Fairlight Road near the Hastings Country Park Visitor Centre.

Rock-a-Nore car park

Challenges:

If the East Hill Cliff Railway is not open, it's a stiff climb up the steps instead.

There are some steep descents and climbs into and out of the glens, which may be slippery when wet. Erosion may lead to path closures and diversions.

The descent to Covehurst Bay is on a very steep scrambly unofficial path. Also, be aware that it is a naturist beach.

Rope assisted descent at Covehurst Bay

For best conditions at Fairlight Beach, go around low tide.

Fairlight Beach

It is tempting to try to do all or part of the walk from Hastings to Pett Level along the beach at low tide. It looked to me that although some parts may be walkable, others are very rocky and slippery, and there are warnings of cliff falls at Rock-a-Nore, so I wouldn't recommend it.

The 'beach' heading East from Rock-a-Nore

There are mobile phone 'not spots', and you may find your phone logged on to your provider's French services. Apart from the risk of unexpected roaming charges, you may be moved to continental time, disrupting the sequence of any photos you take, and causing you to miss your bus. Set your phone to use time as determined by your GPS location.

Refreshments:Numerous pubs, cafes etc in Old Hastings and in the Stade area. Cafe at the Country Park Visitor Centre. Cafe at Pett Level.

Nearby Walks

To the West: Friston to Eastbourne via Beachy head

To the East: Folkestone to Dover

Also, Cycle Ride: From Eastbourne to Rye, through Bexhill-on-Sea, Hastings, Pett Level, Winchelsea

Photos

Sunny day in October.