The Wealdway – Stage 8 – Upper Dicker to Eastbourne 14 miles / 22.5km | South Downs Views & Coastal Finish

🌟 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 8: Upper Dicker ➵ Eastbourne (14 miles / 22.5km)

Our final stage of the Wealdway – and what a finish it is! 🎉👣

We set off from Upper Dicker, heading south through open countryside with the South Downs rising on the horizon. The trail gradually ascends towards Jevington, a charming downland village famous for its ancient church and connection to the South Downs Way.

Today you’ll see The Long Man of Wilmington in the hillside and bag 3 trigs too! Its a hilly day but the views are very much worth it.

As we climb higher, we’ll be rewarded with sweeping views across the Cuckmere Valley and towards the English Channel a rewarding sight that marks the final leg of our long-distance journey.

The Wealdway then descends into Eastbourne, bringing us right to the coast and the end of our 80-mile adventure. We’ll celebrate our incredible achievement together at the finish – medals will be handed out, and we’ll raise a glass to completing the Wealdway 2026!

This is a linear route, and we’ll car share between start and finish locations via WhatsApp (details in your confirmation email).

📅 Date: Saturday October 10th
🕙 Time: 10am
💷 Cost: £10 per person
⏳ Duration: Please allow approx. 8 hours including breaks. 
📏 Distance: 14 miles / 23 km
📍 Location: Meeting at Upper Dicker (full details in the email received after booking). Finishing at Eastbourne.
🗻 Terrain:  Woodland trails, fields, village paths, coastal paths. Incline 400m 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.