Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters
East Sussex
The Seven Sisters are seven chalk headlands between Birling Gap and Cuckmere Haven, each one rising and dipping in succession above the English Channel. The 9.8 km one-way route from Birling Gap follows the cliff top east across the full sequence before dropping into the Cuckmere Valley at Exceat — usually walked with a car shuttle or taxi back. On a clear day the French coast is visible from the higher sisters; at any time the exposure is total and the views are relentless.
This is not a walk for an off-lead dog without bombproof recall near open edges. The chalk cliffs are unfenced and the edge is actively eroding — falls here are fatal. Dogs must be on leads on the cliff-top sections and through any grazed downland where sheep are present on the slopes. That said, for a well-managed dog the experience is remarkable: salt air, chalk turf rich with rabbit warrens, and the close-cropped firmness of the Sisters underfoot making for exceptional walking. The National Trust café at Birling Gap provides a start-point coffee before you set out.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 9.8 km (6.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 3 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Coastal, Historic
- Route Type
- Point to Point
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- High
- Facilities
- National Trust café at Birling Gap; toilets on site
- Parking
- Birling Gap National Trust car park, BN20 0AB
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome on this walk and for a well-managed dog it's a genuinely spectacular experience , salt air, chalk turf, and rabbit-scented downland underfoot. The National Trust café at Birling Gap, where most people start, is also on hand for a pre-walk coffee. That said, the terrain is demanding and requires a responsible approach, so it suits owners who are confident handling their dog in exposed, open countryside.
Can dogs be off lead at Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters?
This is not a walk for off-lead dogs without bombproof recall. The chalk cliffs are completely unfenced and actively eroding , the edges are genuinely dangerous, and falls are fatal. Dogs should also be kept on leads through any grazed downland where sheep are present on the slopes.
What should I know before visiting Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters with my dog?
The main route is a 9.8 km one-way walk from Birling Gap to Exceat, so you'll need to plan a car shuttle or taxi back rather than a circular return. Exposure is total throughout , there's no shelter and the cliff edges are unfenced, so leads are essential on the cliff-top sections. Parking is at the National Trust car park at Birling Gap (BN20 0AB), where you'll also find toilets and a café to set you up before you head out.
Birling Gap National Trust car park, Birling Gap Road, East Dean, BN20 0AB
50.7397, 0.2009
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