Our route starts in the lovely old town of Lewes and follows part of the famously scenic South Downs Way. We walk over rolling hills and high ridges dotted with long barrows and ancient earthworks, often accompanied by magnificent vistas down to the sea. We tackle stiff climbs and descents before our spectacular final stretch over the famous white chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters, before finishing on the highest chalk sea cliff in England – the beautiful headland of Beachy Head, near Eastbourne.
This is a tough event over rolling downs and cliffs; at 26 miles, it forms an enormous challenge for walkers. There will be full support throughout the challenge with marshals and water stops along the route.
Starting in the county town of Lewes at the Castle we head southwest towards the Downs and its not long before we are climbing uphill. We skirt the pretty village of Rodmell, descending to cross the River Ouse. We climb up high again, steeply at first and then more gradually to Beddingham Hill and its twin radio masts. The land drops away steeply inland to form deep combes; the views are very picturesque and you can soak them up as you stop to catch your breath! On we go to Firle Beacon which gives us a fine vantage point of the route ahead. We have a chance to eat and rest before continuing to Alfriston, one more hill stands in-between us and the village itself – Bostal Hill.
In Alfriston we take the route south and follow the Cuckmere River all the way to the spectacular chalk cliffs of the Seven Sisters taking in Birling Gap before our final destination at Beachy Head.
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