Leg 1: Beachy Head to Exceat
- Distance
- 6.3 mi / 10.2 km
- Climb
- 309 m
- Descent
- 460 m
Start
Beachy Head
Grid ref TV 59086 95913
what3words mush.prongs.sagging
Finish
Exceat
Grid ref TV 51965 99476
what3words tint.fists.takeover
Parking
what3words total.glitz.glossed
Car park is next to the Cadence cafe and toilets
Getting there
By rail
Eastbourne railway station
2.9 miles away by foot or 10-minute drive
By bus
13X Coaster
Stops close to the start with departures from Eastbourne and Brighton.
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday: 5 per day in each direction
- Saturday – every hour
- Sunday – every 20 minutes
Changeover
Double baton changeover at the end of this leg
Organiser notes
The route leaves the tarmac path 75 metres after the start, bearing left up the grass track.
There are several cliff top paths between Beachy Head and the hill up to Belle Toute Lighthouse (TV 56688 95411, chainsaw.jukebox.quietest); all are permitted, with safety and distance from cliff edge the main consideration. If in doubt, stay right!
The South Downs Way passes to the north of the lighthouse, following the perimeter wall.
Runners are not permitted to use the concrete road through Cuckmere Haven (TV 51845 98459, ironic.attends.junction). The South Downs Way goes over the hill, following the clear signpost, and descends into Exceat. Any deviation from this permitted route is clearly visible from the changeover and will result in a time penalty.