The Wealdway – Stage 6 – Ashdown to East Hoathly 13 miles / 21km | Heathlands, Forest Trails & Hidden Villages

🌟 The Wealdway 2026 🌟

Overview:

The Wealdway is an 80-mile long-distance trail running from Gravesend on the Thames Estuary to the seaside town of Eastbourne, cutting through the heart of Kent and East Sussex.

Originally created to link the northern and southern edges of the Weald, it showcases the region’s natural beauty, historic landmarks, and varied geology. Some sections feel wonderfully remote, with streams, wildlife, and open fields all to yourself.

The trail has a mix of gentle paths and steeper stretches, with changing landscapes along the way — from riversides and farmland to dense woods and chalk ridges.

We’ll complete this trail over eight sections, walking through the seasons as we head from the Thames to the sea. Along the way you will see Ashdown Forest, Long Man of Wilmington, Trigs, Castles, Woodlands and more…

This listing is for each individual stage and you are welcome to join us for an many or few sections as you wish. However there is an alternative option to complete the trail in its entirety and receive a medal.

Route Details:

Stage 6: Ashdown ➵ East Hoathly (13 miles / 21km)

This longer stage continues in the beautiful Ashdown Forest – one of the highlights of the entire Wealdway. The trail winds through heathlands, woodland glades, and open ridges offering wide, panoramic views across the Sussex countryside.

We’ll pass through the landscape that inspired A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh, with chances to spot deer, birds of prey, and the unique flora that thrives on the sandy soils of the High Weald. As we leave the forest, the path opens into farmland and quiet country lanes, gently leading us toward the historic village of East Hoathly.

This is one of our most scenic and varied sections; a true showcase of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

This is a linear walk, and we’ll be car sharing from the start and finish points, coordinated via a WhatsApp group (details in your confirmation email).

📅 Date: Sunday August 16th
🕙 Time: 10am
💷 Cost: £10 per person
⏳ Duration: Please allow approx.  7 hours including breaks. 
📏 Distance: 13 miles / 21 km
📍 Location: Meeting at Ashdown Forest (full details in the email received after booking). Finishing at East Hoathly
🗻 Terrain:  Woodland trails, fields, open heathland, village paths. Incline 300m over the course of the day.

🍽 Food & Drink: Please ensure you have all food you will need and enough water for this walk. We’d recommend 2L.
🚻 Toilets: Toilets may be open in villages but please be aware this will be nature toilets if not. 
🐕 Dogs: Well-behaved on-lead dogs are more than welcome to this event.