Seaford to Birling Gap (Seven Sisters)

The walk: From Seaford, this walk goes over Seaford Head to Cuckmere Haven, then over the iconic Seven Sisters - a series of headlands and valleys making for a dramatic cliffscape - to Birling Gap. Catch the bus back from East Dean..

Map

NB The map shows my GPS track, with various diversions and excursions which you may not wish to follow precisely. BLUE = Walk from Seaford to just short of Birling Gap, then head up to East Dean. RED = Extension down to Birling Gap.

Why do it: One of the most popular walks on the South Coast, with reason, following as it does a succession of white chalk cliffs, first over Seaford Head, then the Seven Sisters. Seaford Head is an excellent viewpoint looking over the Seven Sisters cliffs (which are actually rather difficult to see when you are on top of them!) Unique downland habitat. Text book meanders of the River Cuckmere winding its way down to the sea at Cuckmere Haven. Birling Gap, and beach, for close up views of the unique chalk cliffs (hence popular with tour parties as a result).

Seven Sisters viewed from the path down from Seaford Head

Distance: 10 miles

Logistics: Roadside parking on the seafront at Seaford. Walk to Birling Gap, then walk over Went Hill to East Dean, and catch a bus back to Seaford.

Challenges: Inevitably, there are many ascents and descents, which can be muddy and slippery after rain. (The ascent out of Seaford was particularly slippery when I did it.)

Cliff erosion is an inevitable natural process along this coast: follow the latest guidance (usually in the form of fences to keep walkers away from the cliff edge). (Cliff falls at Birling Gap have necessitated 're-engineering' of the NT Visitor Centre.)

Eroded and slippery ascent from Seaford

It is only possible to cross the Cuckmere River on the A259 road bridge at Exceat, necessitating an inland diversion of 2 miles.

Buses run from Birling Gap to Seaford in season (check web for latest info), but the service from East Dean is year-round. To reach the bus stop on the A259 at East Dean from Birling Gap, you could walk up the road, but I prefer the much pleasanter (if hillier) alternative via the footpath over Went Hill: the descent into East Dean is quite steep in parts.

Another challenge is understanding why it is called Seven Sisters, since there are actually Eight distinct headlands (see photo and map).

Seven Sisters Info Board

Refreshments: Cafes etc at Seaford, Cuckmere Inn beside the A259 bridge, cafes at Exceat Visitor Centre and Birling Gap (National Trust), several pubs and cafes in East Dean.

Nearby Walks

To the West: Peacehaven to Newhaven Fort

To the East: Friston to Eastbourne over Beachy Head

Photos

Sunny day in February