Sussex

Between the South Downs and the sea circular walk

A sunny view across the blue sea with cottage roofs in the foreground and the white chalk cliffs of Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters in the distance — The white cliffs at Birling Gap in East Sussex | © National Trust Images/Laurence Perry

Starting and finishing in the peaceful hamlet of Crowlink, this invigorating walk takes you through meadows and trees, down towards Birling Gap and up over three of the Seven Sisters. Along with great coastal views, there are seasonal wildlife and flower displays to look out for and optional detours to a historic pub and a seaside café.

Near to

Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters

Start point

Crowlink car park, grid ref TV549978

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 4.5 (km: 7.2)

Duration3 hours 30 mins

Dog friendly***

*Footpaths through fields and along the coast with several hills. For further details, see Terrain section.
**Includes steep hills, stiles and gates. For further details, see Access section.
***Please keep dogs on a lead near grazing animals.

Address
Crowlink car park, Crowlink Lane, Friston, near Eastbourne, BN20 0AY
Directions via Google Maps
By train
The closest stations are Eastbourne, 6 miles (10km) away, and Seaford, 5 miles (9km) away. From there, you can get the number 12 and 13X buses.
On foot
The route begins 1 mile off the South Downs Way between Exceat and Eastbourne, via Crowlink hamlet or Flagstaff Brow. You can also walk from Exceat via Friston Forest.
By bus
The number 13X bus runs between Eastbourne Pier and Brighton Station via Birling Gap. The number 12 bus runs via Friston Pond. See Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company for timetables.
By road
Crowlink car park is off the A259 at Friston Pond, between Seaford and Eastbourne.
Postcode for satnav: BN20 0AY.
Total stages: 9
Total stages: 9
Start point
Crowlink car park, grid ref TV549978
Stage 1
From Crowlink car park, follow the lane towards the main road.
Stage 2
Turn right through the gate into Friston churchyard. Go through the churchyard, through the far gate and down through the meadow.
Stage 3
Near the bottom of the meadow, veer right to pick up a path up and go through the trees. At the top of the path turn right and climb the hill, keeping close to the wall on your left.
Stage 4
Follow the flint wall until you reach a stone step on your left. Using the step, climb over the wall and continue on the path across the field.
Stage 5
Go through the gate and skirt around the left edge of the field. Turn left through the kissing gate, heading across the field towards the red barn.
Stage 6
In front of the barn, pick up the sunken track over the brow of the hill and follow it through one gate and then a second to join the track down towards Birling Gap.
Stage 7
For the Birling Gap café, follow the South Downs Way along the track as it bears left down the hill and behind the toilet block. To continue without stopping, turn right at the yellow waymark sign, go through the pedestrian gate and up onto the downs. Follow the coastline, but count each hill as you're only crossing three 'sisters' plus their 'little brother', Flat Brow.
Look out for skylarks | © National Trust Images/Derek Hatton
Stage 8
After coming down the fourth hill – Flagstaff Brow, with its stone memorial on top – turn right along the coombe bottom, away from the sea.
Stage 9
Pass the pond, bear right along the path then go straight on through a bridle gate and back towards your starting point at the car park.
End point
Crowlink car park, grid ref TV549978
Trail map
Between the South Downs and the sea walking route | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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