Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters Circular
East Sussex
This dog friendly East Sussex walk loops out from the National Trust at Birling Gap, climbing onto the chalk turf to walk over three of the postcard-perfect Seven Sisters cliffs, before turning inland through the dry valley of Crowlink and dropping into the village of East Dean and its dog friendly Tiger Inn for a halfway pint. The return crosses Went Hill back to Birling Gap with views of the still-working Belle Tout lighthouse.
Dogs are welcome throughout but the cliff top is unfenced and the chalk crumbles every winter, so close control is essential and lead-up at the cliff edge for any dog who fancies a sniff. Conservation grazing means you may meet sheep and the occasional electric fence with access gates between the meadow sections, so leads are needed there too. Parking is the National Trust pay and display at Birling Gap, with cliff top toilets, a cafe and an ice cream kiosk run by the Trust at the start.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 7.5 km (4.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 2 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Coastal
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- National Trust cafe, toilets and ice cream at Birling Gap; The Tiger Inn (dog friendly) at East Dean.
- Parking
- National Trust pay and display at Birling Gap (BN20 0AB), £2 up to 1hr, £4 up to 2hrs, £8 over 2hrs; free for NT members and Blue Badge.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters Circular dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome throughout this walk, which scores 8 out of 10 on our dog friendly rating. The route takes in spectacular cliff top scenery, hidden dry valleys and the village of East Dean, where the Tiger Inn is happy to welcome dogs for a halfway stop.
Can dogs be off lead at Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters Circular?
There are sections where off lead walking is possible, but leads are required in several key spots. The cliff edge is unfenced and the chalk crumbles, so dogs should be kept on a lead there, and leads are also needed when passing through the grazed meadow sections, where you may encounter sheep and occasional electric fencing with access gates.
What should I know before visiting Birling Gap and the Seven Sisters Circular with my dog?
The main things to be aware of are the unfenced cliff tops, conservation grazing with sheep, and the occasional electric fence between meadow sections — so a reliable recall and a lead on hand are both essential. Parking is National Trust pay and display at Birling Gap (BN20 0AB), with charges from £2 up to an hour and £8 for over two hours, though it's free for NT members and Blue Badge holders. On the plus side, there's a cafe, toilets and an ice cream kiosk at the start, and the dog friendly Tiger Inn waiting for you in East Dean.
What’s Nearby?
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Walk12.7 mi awayLewes to Southease
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A South Downs crossing mixing riverside paths with big chalk downland views, with a train ride back from Southease to keep it linear.
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The highest point in East Sussex with sweeping views across the Weald, a steady climb through chalk grassland where sheep graze freely.
