The Alternative Seven Sisters Challenge - A Night Out on the Downs

Saturday, 9 July 2022

Strenuous 26 miles / 41.8 km

THIS WALK REQUIRES BOOKING VIA MEETUP - See https://www.meetup.com/Metropolitan-Walkers/events/ for details

We'll experience a different side to the South Downs, from dusk until after dawn as the (very) occasional series of Met night walks returns. We'll hope for a clear night, which should see moonlight on chalk and Channel, either side of the twinkling lights of the coast. We'll emerge from the gloom of Friston Forest to find the beaches at Cuckmere Haven and Birling Gap bathing in the first hues of a new day. We'll probably still have them all to ourselves though, just like the crossing of the Seven Sisters clifftops between them, as we head into the rising sun. After that, Eastbourne will beckon for a well-earned hearty breakfast. The walk will not be particularly fast (there's no point arriving before the possibility of breakfast/trains!). Where possible, the route follows rolling ridgetops and minimises climbs on or off. No previous experience of night walks is necessary. However, this is still a long walk at unsociable hours with a few steep climbs and no realistic drop-out except a long taxi ride. It is therefore only suitable for those who know they are comfortable with strenuous day walks. Optional pub stop at start of walk (!), please bring plenty of water and snacks, layers in case of a chilly night, and a torch (preferably a head torch) plus a spare battery/torch. Arrival into Eastbourne is unlikely to be much before 8:00am, but might of course be later depending on progress.

Terrain: Hills, woods, coast

Travel: Please meet at The Depot Bar and Kitchen, attached to the cinema next to Lewes Station - https://lewesdepot.org/dalliance. Food, drinks and possibly live music will be available before the walk starts promptly at 8:45pm. So please allow plenty time if you want to eat in Lewes. Leader will be on the 17:24 from London Victoria. Buy return (not a day return!) to Eastbourne, or two singles.