The Wealdway – Stage 7 – East Hoathly to Upper Dicker 9 miles / 14.5km | From Fields to Priories

🌟 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 7: East Hoathly ➵ Upper Dicker (9 miles / 14.5km)

We begin this section in the peaceful village of East Hoathly and from here, the Wealdway heads south across rolling farmland and quiet meadows, with glimpses of the South Downs now appearing in the distance.

We’ll pass through multiple hamlets and open countryside on this stretch of the trail.

Approaching Upper Dicker, we’ll find ourselves on the edge of Michelham Priory, a medieval moated site founded in 1229.

We’ll enjoy our usual picnic lunch enroute so please make sure to bring food and drink.

This is a linear walk, with car sharing arranged via WhatsApp (details in your confirmation email).

📅 Date: Sunday September 13
🕙 Time: 10am
💷 Cost: £10 per person
⏳ Duration: Please allow approx. 5 hours including breaks. 
📏 Distance: 9 miles / 14.5 km
📍 Location: Meeting at East Hoathly (full details in the email received after booking). Finishing at Upper Dicker.
🗻 Terrain:  Woodland trails, fields, village paths. Incline 145m 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.