Seven Sisters Walk: Map, Tips & The Best Route

The Seven Sisters are not just an iconic sight, but one of the best hikes in England. Here’s our guide to the Seven Sisters walk. Different from other routes, it captures the best viewpoints and ends at a country pub.

The steep chalk cliffs that undulate along the Seven Sisters Country Park in the South Downs are one of the most iconic places to visit in England.

And for good reason. Pristine white cliffs lie between rolling rural farmland and the English Channel.

Many of the views can be seen after a quick stroll from the car which we cover in our guide to the Seven Sisters highlights without hiking. However, the best way to take in the splendour of the area is by walking the Seven Sisters end to end.

The most popular route is the Seaford to Eastbourne walk. However, we have an alternate route that collects the best views, skips the long boring section through Eastbourne, and finishes in a lovely rural village with a charming country pub.

We’ve included public transport options, the best viewpoints, and where to stay.

With decent rail and bus links, this Seven Sisters walk is one of our favourite day trips from London.

SEVEN SISTERS CLIFFS WALK – OUR RECOMMENDED ROUTE

Many of the best sections of the Seven Sisters can be seen by taking short walks from the car, which you can read about in our guide to the Seven Sisters Cliffs.

But our favourite way to explore the area is to walk the length of the cliffs.

There are several routes. The most popular is from Seaford to Eastbourne. But this route includes a long section getting through the outskirts of Eastbourne, which is not that interesting.

Instead, we highly recommend walking from Seaford to East Dean. This still includes the most scenic stretches of coastline but diverts through rolling farmland to finish in a charming local village with a great pub on the edge of a pretty village green.

As Seaford to Eastbourne is the most popular way to do the Seven Sisters hike we’ve included instructions for both routes.

SEVEN SISTERS MAP

The Seven Sisters Cliffs walk follows the coast, so there is no tricky navigation to follow. However, we do recommend a slightly different route to the one taken by most people.

Therefore, our map might come in handy if you decide to end at the village of East Dean.

We have also included the bus stops, food or drink options and the start and finishing points.

HOW TO GET TO THE TRAILHEAD

We recommend starting the Seven Sisters walk from Seaford Esplanade because the views are slightly better in this direction. This way you also finish at a great country pub with good transport connections back to Seaford.

Seaford is 12 miles from Brighton on the South Downs in England. This walk can easily be completed as a day trip from Brighton or London.

BY CAR

Seaford is a 2 – 2.5-hour drive from London and around 30 minutes’ drive from Brighton. Parking is available at the Seaford Esplanade; exactly where we start this walk. The car park is open 24 hours a day and is free of charge for up to 12 hours.  

BY BUS

The 12, 12X and 12A buses run between Brighton and Eastbourne stopping off at Seaford. There are regular services throughout the day.

To catch the bus to the start of the walk, get off at the Seaford Library stop (marked on the map above). From here is a 10-minute walk down to the esplanade where we start the hike.

BY TRAIN

London Victoria to Seaford – To get to the Seven Sisters from London, catch the train from London Victoria to Seaford Station which has one change in either Lewes or Brighton. The train takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes, however, some services are slower, so check the times before you book. It’s a 10-minute walk from the train station to the Seaford Esplanade car park to start the walk.

London to Brighton – You could also take the train from London to Brighton, which has more services, then catch the 12, 12X or 12A bus to Seaford.

START WALK – SEAFORD ESPLANADE

From the esplanade in Seaford, follow the well-marked path that climbs around 50 meters to the summit of the glistening chalk facades.

From this point, the Seven Sisters trail joins the South Downs National Park. Continue along the coastline passing the perfectly positioned golf course.

STEP 1: CONTINUE TO CUCKMERE HAVEN COTTAGES

Follow the undulating path over the cliff tops towards the coastguard cottages at Cuckmere Haven.

After enjoying this photogenic spot, drop down to the Seven Sisters beach at the Cuckmere River just behind the cottages.

Explore the tidal rock pools and examine the chalk cliffs from below – but don’t get too close in case of falling debris.

STEP 2: CROSSING THE CUCKMERE RIVER

To continue along the cliffs you need to cross the Cuckmere River which cuts through the beach. At low tide, the river can be crossed either by wading barefoot over the shallow stream or by using a pair of parallel logs lying across the mouth.

At high tide, you will need to walk up the river to the Cuckmere Inn (away from the sea), cross over a bridge and then head back down the other side to the beach.

It shaves 50 minutes off the walk if you can cross the river at the beach rather than detour upstream.

Cuckmere River Tide Times – Here are the Cuckemere River Tide Times.

STEP 3: CUCKMERE TO BEACHY HEAD LIGHTHOUSE

On the other side of the river, climb back up to the South Downs Way Trail and count the Seven Sisters as the trail rises and falls over undulating grassy banks.

There is a National Trust café in Birling Gap with public toilets and a small beach where you can take a swim.

From Birling Gap, continue up past the Belle Tout Lighthouse and drop down the other side until views of the red and white Beachy Head lighthouse appear.

Continue on to Beachy Head to collect some photographs of this iconic sight.

FINISH – EASTDEAN OR EASTBOURNE

At the Beachy Head Lighthouse, you have the option to take our recommended route and finish at East Dean or continue to Eastbourne.

OPTION 1 – FINISH AT EAST DEAN (RECOMMENDED)

After walking up to the lighthouse, return the way you came for a short distance and take the path inland to the village of East Dean (see map above).

This shorter route ambles through sheep-strewn fields and ends in the charming village where you can stop for a pint at the Tiger Inn. Although it leaves the coast, it’s a lovely part of the walk; much nicer than continuing into Eastbourne in our opinion.

OPTION 2 – FINISH AT EASTBOURNE

To finish at Eastbourne, continue along the coastal path.

This is the option that most people take. However, after Beachy Head, the views start to get less good. It also involves a tedious slog through the outer suburbs of Eastbourne to the bus stop or train station at the modern shopping centre.

HOW TO RETURN FROM THE WALK

As this is not a circular walk, you’ll need to get public transport back to your car or to continue home. Here’s how to return from the walk.

IF YOU FINISH AT EAST DEAN

If you end the walk at East Dean (which we recommend), there is a bus stop on the main road just a short walk from the Tiger Inn pub.

We have marked the location on the map. From here you can catch the 12, 12A or 12X buses to Eastbourne, Brighton or back to Seaford. The buses run roughly every 20 minutes.

IF YOU FINISH AT EASTBOURNE

If you end at Eastbourne, you can get a train back to London from Eastbourne Train Station. There is a direct train to London Victoria which takes 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Alternatively, catch the 12, 12A or 12X bus back to Seaford or Brighton.

TRAIL CONDITIONS

The Seven Sisters hike is long and hilly making it a slightly demanding hike.

However, there is nothing particularly challenging on the walk, so if you are a regular hiker, you’ll find the walk reasonably easy.

If you are new to hill walking, the Seven Sisters hike will be an excellent challenge. It’s long and trying, but with plenty of scenic places to take a break, it’s achievable for anyone with a reasonable level of fitness.

The trail is very easy to follow as it sticks to the edge of the cliff.

Please note: The cliffs at Seven Sisters are very prone to erosion so stay well clear of the edge.

WHEN TO DO THE SEVEN SISTERS WALK?

If the sun is out and the wind is not blowing a gale, any time of year is a great time to do the Seven Sisters walk.

It’s a straightforward walk that can be done in most weather depending on your tolerance for getting wet.

May to mid-July is the optimal walking season in the UK when temperatures start to rise before the summer crowds descend. During this time, the days are long, flowers will punctuate the rolling green grass hills and lambs will be dotted across the fields.

If you want to swim, the water will be slightly warmer in August and September.

STOPS & FACILITIES ON THE SEVEN SISTERS WALK

The Seven Sisters Walk has plenty of grassy locations overlooking the sea that are perfect for a picnic. But, if you need a stop along the way, or at the end, here’s what is on offer.

CUCKMERE INN

If you’re doing the walk at high tide and not able to cross the Cuckmere River, you’ll need to walk up past the Cuckmere Inn to go around it. They have a nice deck overlooking the river which is the perfect place for a beer.

BIRLING GAP CAFE

The National Trust café at Birling Gap makes a great stop if you need a bit of a sugar hit on the walk. There are toilets in the car park.

EAST DEAN

In the village of East Dean where we finish the walk, you can enjoy a pint at the Tiger Inn which has a wide selection of ales and a fantastic beer garden. The Hiker’s Rest café next door does coffee, cakes, sandwiches and quiches.

WHERE TO STAY AT SEVEN SISTERS

The Seven Sisters walk can easily be done on a day trip from London or Brighton on public transport. However, there are more appealing ways to wind down after the walk than commuting home. Here are some great places to stay.

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