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View of Eastbourne – Beachy Head and Lighthouse loop from Polegate

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

View of Eastbourne – Beachy Head and Lighthouse loop from Polegate

Hard

5.0

(66)

hikers

View of Eastbourne – Beachy Head and Lighthouse loop from Polegate

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 accessible with public transport.

Last updated: June 12, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

South Downs National Park

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

10.4 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.

Tip by

10.7 km

View of Eastbourne from South Downs

Highlight • Trail

The view of Eastbourne is very pretty, especially in May when the hawthorn trees are in bloom. It is best to follow the South Coast Path signs. It leads through the thickets of bushes.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

11.7 km

View of Eastbourne

Highlight • Viewpoint

From here, just off Beachy Head Road, you are either at the start or coming to the finish of the South Downs Way, depending on which direction you started from. Here you have views north across towards Eastbourne, whilst behind you are the famed cliffs of Beachy Head, and of course to the east, sublime views out over the English Channel.

Tip by

13.1 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

13.3 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

13.6 km

View of Beachy Head Lighthouse

Highlight • Viewpoint

The section near Beachy Head always offers a breathtaking view over the chalk cliffs to the lighthouse.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

13.9 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

15.9 km

Seven Sisters Cliffs

Highlight • Natural

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

Translated by Google •

Tip by

28.2 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

16.5 km

7.48 km

1.81 km

828 m

580 m

533 m

246 m

Surfaces

11.2 km

9.45 km

3.78 km

1.43 km

1.19 km

1.00 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 (10 m)

Weather

Saturday 11 July

28°C

16°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 30.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

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Our route recommendations are based on thousands of hikes, rides, and runs completed by other people on komoot.

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View of Eastbourne – Beachy Head and Lighthouse loop from Polegate

South Downs Way Trailhead (Eastbourne)

View of Eastbourne from South Downs

View of Eastbourne

View of Beachy Head and the Beachy Head Lighthouse

Beachy Head and Lighthouse

View of Beachy Head Lighthouse

View of Beachy Head Cliffs and Lighthouse

Seven Sisters Cliffs

Nearby routes

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