View of the Cuckmere meanders – Beachy Head and Lighthouse loop from Alfriston

Hiking trails & Routes

View of the Cuckmere meanders – Beachy Head and Lighthouse loop from Alfriston

Hard

4.8

(48)

139

hikers

View of the Cuckmere meanders – Beachy Head and Lighthouse loop from Alfriston

07:55

28.2km

560m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: October 7, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

South Downs National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

4.70 km

View of the Cuckmere meanders

Highlight • Viewpoint

The Cuckmere is a river in England that rises near Heathfield in East Sussex in the south of the Weald and flows into The Channel. The site of the estuary is called Cuckmere Haven. In its upper reaches, the Cuckmere has numerous tributaries of which the River Bull is the most important.

The name probably comes from an Old English term for 'fast flowing': the drop in the first 7 km is more than 100 meters. Near its mouth, the river meanders through the Cuckmere Valley, a tidal lake nature reserve.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

5.46 km

View of the Cuckmere Meanders

Highlight • Natural Monument

Part of the South Downs Way, this path leads you up above the stunning Cuckmere Valley. Hiking through the Seven Sisters Country Park, you can look west across the extreme meanderings of the Cuckmere River, in places completely doubling back on itself. Follow the path south to the cliffs or north to the visitor centre.

Tip by

9.26 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.

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Tip by

11.1 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.

Tip by

11.5 km

Seven Sisters Cliffs

Highlight • Natural

Above the visitor center you have a beautiful view of the chalk cliffs.

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Tip by

13.4 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.

Tip by

14.1 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.

Tip by

14.2 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 2013, Beachy Head Lighthouse was restored and painted in its original red and white stripes.

Tip by

28.2 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

16.1 km

8.80 km

2.38 km

777 m

191 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

12.1 km

9.90 km

2.33 km

1.51 km

1.30 km

1.10 km

Elevation

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

Highest point (190 m)

Lowest point (0 m)

Weather

Today

Saturday 17 October

12°C

7°C

75 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 28.0 km/h

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Comments

February 5, 2022,The South Downs - Beachy Head Loop

A long but technically easy 18 mile loop taking in coastal views, river walking and rolling countryside hills. Although not technically challenging, there’s quite a few ascents and descents, nothing drastic, but does make for weary legs towards the end.