Seven Sisters Cliff Walk: the Classic 6.5 km Route and the Full 21.9 km Traverse

The Seven Sisters are seven chalk cliffs on the East Sussex coast, between Cuckmere Haven in the west and Birling Gap in the east. They rise and fall along the Channel in a line of white peaks, with no shade and no shelter from the wind, and they are one of the best coastal walks in Britain. The classic walk is 6.5 km and takes 2 to 3 hours. The full traverse from Seaford to Eastbourne is 21.9 km and takes 6 to 7 hours.

The walk is harder than its distance suggests. You climb and descend seven separate chalk hills, and the paths are steep and can be slippery when wet. This guide gives the classic route, the full traverse, the transport, and the safety rules.

Figure 1: The Seven Sisters cliffs from Birling Gap, with the white chalk running west along the coast. The cover photo shows the cliff line and the beach below.

The routes, compared

• Exceat to Birling Gap, the classic walk: 6.5 km, 4 miles, 2 to 3 hours, about 280 m of ascent. Start at the Seven Sisters Country Park visitor centre at Exceat, walk over all seven peaks, and finish at Birling Gap, with a cafe, toilets, and beach access.
• Birling Gap short loop: 2 km, 45 minutes, flat, with a viewing platform. The easiest way to see the cliffs without the climbs.
• Seaford to Eastbourne, the full traverse: 21.9 km, 13.6 miles, 6 to 7 hours, about 550 m of ascent. Start at Seaford station, walk over all seven peaks and Beachy Head, and finish at Eastbourne station.
• Birling Gap to Eastbourne: about 9 km, 2 to 2.5 hours, over Beachy Head. Beachy Head is a separate headland east of Birling Gap, at 162 m the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain, and not one of the Seven Sisters.
• Birling Gap and Friston Forest circular: 12.7 km, about 3.5 hours, through the cliffs and inland through Friston Forest.

Start at Seaford rather than Birling Gap if you want the cliffs ahead of you the whole way. The walk runs west to east, and the light is best in the afternoon. Birling Gap is the halfway cafe stop on the full traverse, and a good bail-out point, with buses to Eastbourne and Seaford.

The classic route, step by step

Start at the Seven Sisters Country Park visitor centre at Exceat. The car park and the bus stop are here, and the 12 and 13X buses stop at Exceat, East Dean, and Birling Gap. Walk down to Cuckmere Haven, cross the river, and climb the first Sister, Haven Brow. Then walk the ridge: seven climbs and seven descents, with the sea on your left and the downland on your right. There is no water and no shelter on the ridge, so carry what you need.

The last descent brings you to Birling Gap, where the National Trust car park, cafe, and toilets sit. The beach at Birling Gap is reached by steps, and the tide rule is low water plus or minus 2 hours. From Birling Gap you can take the bus back to Exceat or Eastbourne, or keep walking east over Beachy Head to Eastbourne, another 9 km.

Figure 2: Birling Gap, at the eastern end of the Seven Sisters, with the cliffs behind the beach.

Getting there

By train, London Victoria to Eastbourne takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, with two direct trains an hour. Victoria to Seaford takes about 1 hour 25 minutes, changing at Lewes. By car, London to the coast takes about 90 minutes via the M23 and A23. Parking is at Seven Sisters Country Park, East Dean, or Birling Gap. The 13X bus runs from Eastbourne to Seaford via Birling Gap, seasonal, limited midweek and frequent at weekends.

Safety on the cliffs

Stay at least 5 m back from the edge. The chalk cliffs crumble, and the edge can give way without warning. The paths are steep chalk, and they are slippery when wet. There is no shade and no shelter from the wind, so carry water, sun cream, and a windproof layer. There are no water refills between Birling Gap and Eastbourne, a 9 km stretch. Check the tide times before you walk the beach at Cuckmere Haven or Birling Gap.

Best time to visit

March to October is the walking season. Spring brings green downland and fewer people. Summer brings the best light and the biggest crowds, and the ridge is hot with no shade. Autumn brings clear air and quiet paths. Winter walks are possible, but the chalk is slippery and the wind is stronger. Go early in the morning for the quietest ridge.

What it costs

• The walk: free. There is no entry fee for the cliffs or the country park.
• Parking: pay at the National Trust car park at Birling Gap and the country park car park at Exceat. Check the current charges.
• Train: London Victoria to Eastbourne or Seaford. Check the current fares on the train operator site.
• Bus: the 12 and 13X buses run between Eastbourne, Birling Gap, Exceat, and Seaford. The 13X is seasonal.

Sources: Seven Sisters routes guide, updated November 2026, for the 6.5 km classic route, the 21.9 km traverse, the 280 m and 550 m ascents, and the 162 m Beachy Head; Charlie on Travel for the 21.9 km station-to-station distance and the 6 to 7 hour time; Where Angie Wanders for the 1 hour 30 minute Victoria to Eastbourne train. Distances differ slightly between sources. Check the bus times and tide times before you travel.

Frequently asked questions