Simply stunning. It was just wonderful.
Charlotte B
Location
Terrain
Difficulty
Accommodation and Meals
Packed lunch and snacks
Duration
1 day
Meeting Point
Beachy Head
Annual Leave
Weekend walk
Group Size
30 - 40
Seasons
Year-round
Walking Distance
21 km
21.2km challenging coastal and countryside trek
Circular route, starting and ending at Beachy Head
Stunning English scenery and coastline
Support and leadership from Tribal Tracks
All the info you need
Trip Details
A tough half-marathon distance trek across undulating terrain, taking in the beauty of this gorgeous UK coastline.
Experienced Tribal Tracks leaders will support you on this challenging circular trek, crossing paths with the South Downs Way. The South Downs are renowned for its diverse landscapes, cultural landmarks, and energy-sapping terrain. We start and finish at Bullock Down Farm located on Beachy Head Road.
Trip Details
Experienced Tribal Tracks leaders will support you on this challenging circular trek, crossing paths with the South Downs Way. The South Downs are renowned for its diverse landscapes, cultural landmarks, and energy-sapping terrain. We start and finish at Bullock Down Farm located on Beachy Head Road.
The first 6km of the route is fairly flat, following public right of ways through fields and access land. At Friston there is a main road to cross before we enter Friston Forest where we follow major forest tracks past Friston Palace, north west towards Westdean. Here we will reach a car park with a visitor centre and public toilets before heading south joining the South Down Way and into the Seven Sisters Country Park. We will follow the coastline towards the National Trust Car Park at Birling Gap where we will take a lunch stop. From the lunch stop car park the route heads south towards the coastline. There is a gentle climb up onto the Seven Sisters, from here it follows the coastline to Birling Gap and onto the lighthouse. The coastal part of the route is a series of ascents and descents with stunning views of the white cliffs. We follow the coastline right up to the edge of Eastbourne and then make a final steep ascent up onto Beachy Head Road and back into Bullock Down Farm.
Click here to see a map of the route.
Accommodation and Meals
Lunch provided
Trip Details
Trip Details
It is important that you read the itinerary carefully, and take account of the rating we have given it.
Although our challenges are not technical, they do require a good degree of physical fitness. The conditions will require stamina and strength, which you should recognise and train for. This will be a much better experience if you are fit and prepared. You should feel comfortable walking 6-8 hours per day.
Tribal Tracks has 100% Financial Protection and has a trust account with the Protected Trust Service, member number 5566.
This means that all client monies paid to Tribal Tracks are held in our dedicated trust account, which is supervised by an independent trustee. This means that in the very unlikely event that Tribal Tracks ceases to trade, your money is safe. For more information, please visit this link. Any flights booked for you by Tribal Tracks will be ATOL-protected under our own ATOL certificate.
Tribal Tracks considers the safety of all of its participants and staff to be a top priority, and as such we have thorough safety systems in place.
In the event of an injury, we have an evacuation plan in place for all elements of the trek route. We do ask that you look after yourself during the trek in the following way, as this will help avoid unnecessary problems:
We know that the unexpected can happen.
While you are away, things can happen at home and people may need to get in contact with you. This can be tricky when you are in remote areas. So, shortly before departure, we provide you with an Emergency Procedure document to distribute to your nearest and dearest. This sets out how to contact Tribal Tracks and the steps Tribal Tracks will then take to get in contact with you.
It is really important that you are well prepared for your physical challenge and that you are confident that you will be able to fully participate.
Although our leaders are well trained to deal with different capabilities, if they have any concerns about someone’s ability to safely partake in the trek, or their impact on other people’s enjoyment, we authorise them to take necessary action which, in some circumstances, may involve asking someone to step out of the trek. Although this is a very rare occurrence, by booking this trip you agree to section 11 of our Booking Conditions which clearly states that our leaders have the authority to do this. In these circumstances, we will ensure anyone sitting out is safely provided for and offered alternative options where possible. Refunds will not be provided for activities missed and customers may be liable for additional costs incurred.
At Tribal Tracks, Responsible Travel is enormously important to us, and our commitment to responsible travel is evidenced in every itinerary that we prepare.
Core to our business is the belief that holidays can and should be enjoyable to the traveller but should be conducted in a socially, environmentally and economically responsible manner which brings benefit to local communities. This is implemented through a variety of measures which can be found in our Responsible Travel policy. We encourage you to read this and to play your own part in travelling responsibly.
Trip Details
Trip Details
The trek is a challenge. We will be walking for a long time over sometimes challenging terrain with steep ascents and descents.
The best way to build endurance fitness is to start with some gentle walks and gradually build up both the distance and duration over the next few months. In the last 2 months, we would recommend to go out and do long days, ideally in the hills, to build up the strength in your legs. About a week before the trek, limit any training to short walks – you want to have fresh legs at the start!
For the trek you should be comfortable trekking between 6 - 8 hours per day, but remember we have all day to achieve the distances and will not be going at racing snake pace. It may sound obvious, but make sure that you are walking properly, hitting the ground with your heel first, then rolling onto your toe, which pushes you onto the next step (this will help reduce the risk of shin splints and tendon pulls). Walk with your head up, eyes forward and shoulders level.
It is a good idea to develop a level of cardiovascular fitness (exercising and strengthening your heart and lungs). This comes from running, cycling or swimming for between 20 minutes and an hour, and will really help develop your endurance fitness. Three sessions a week is normally advised, increasing time and distance over time.
Replicate conditions in training i.e., use all the kit you will be using and try your walking poles if you want to use them.
In the event of an injury, we have an evacuation plan in place for all elements of the trek route. We do ask that you look after yourself during the trek in the following way, as this will help avoid unnecessary problems:
Tribal Tracks will provide you with a packed lunch and snacks to take with you on the trek.
We will ensure you arrive with 2 litres of water, we will provide additional water along the route.
Please ensure that you have notified us if you have any specific dietary requirements or allergies.
Trip Details
Have a question? Get in touch, our small team will be delighted to help.
