Tough Hike 24km Lewes Circular - The Sea Views & Hills of the South Downs

📏 **Key Info:** • Distance: 15 miles (24km) • Grading: [Challenging](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/HikeGradings.pdf) • Ascent: 640m • Hiking time: 5.5 to 6.5 hours • Cost: £32 (includes guided hike + return train) • Refunds: Payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you follow our [[Resale Process](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/FAQ.pdf)] and your place is rebooked, we’ll issue a refund. • Toilet Breaks: On the train, at the lunch stop, and at the end pub 📍 **Meeting Point** • Location: Victoria station. Meet between WHSmith (no 34) and Nero Express (no 29) - [MAP](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/StationPhotos/Victoria.jpg) & [PHOTO](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/StationPhotos/VictoriaPhoto.jpg) • Time: Meet 8:20am, leave 8:40am for the 8:54am train • Return: 7:06pm arrival back in London (you’re committed until then) 🌟 **Highlights** • Explore the **South Downs National Park** — one of Britain’s newest National Parks • Walk three elevated **chalk ridges** with panoramic sea views • Visit **Mount Caburn**, a 2,500-year-old Iron Age hill fort • Cross the **Greenwich Meridian Line**, dividing East and West • Hike through dramatic **glacial dry valleys** formed during the last Ice Age • Follow part of the **South Downs Way National Trail** • Pause at **Southease Church**, with its round tower dating from the Norman era • Pass **Rodmell**, home of Virginia Woolf’s Monk’s House • Enjoy free time in the historic **market town of Lewes** with its medieval streets and castle 🥾 **Hike Description** Our journey begins in the historic market town of **Lewes**, set on the **Greenwich Meridian** and famous for its medieval streets, 11th-century castle and dramatic bonfire celebrations. After crossing the **River Ouse**, we ascend into the sweeping chalk hills of the **South Downs National Park**, a landscape shaped by glaciers in the last Ice Age and today renowned for its rare grasslands and expansive views. Climbing steadily, we reach **Mount Caburn**, a prominent 146-metre hill crowned by the remains of an Iron Age fort dating back to 400 BC. With traces of ancient ditches and burial sites still visible, it offers both a deep sense of history and commanding views across the Downs toward the distant English Channel. From here our route follows the **South Downs Way**, the first bridleway National Trail in England, which has connected communities for thousands of years. The ridge offers superb panoramas, with glimpses of the **Seven Sisters cliffs** and sweeping views inland across the Weald. We then descend into the valley and pass through **Rodmell**, where **Virginia Woolf** lived at Monk’s House, and cross the **River Ouse**, a place tied poignantly to her story. The final stretch leads us through the tiny village of **Southease**, where we pause to admire its rare Anglo-Saxon round-towered church. From here, the trail loops back to **Lewes**, where there is free time to explore its historic streets, browse independent shops, or enjoy refreshments in one of its many pubs and cafés before our return. 🧭 **Guide:** • Leader: [GRAHAM](https://www.outdooraholics.co.uk/MeetTheOutdooraholics.pdf) • Contact (hike day only): 07796 098487 🍽️ **Food:** • Bring a packed lunch • Pub visit after the hike (drinks optional) 🎒**What to Bring** • Hiking boots/shoes • Water (2 litres minimum) • Packed lunch • Waterproofs (jacket and trousers) • Hat and gloves if cold • Train tickets are arranged – just meet us at the meeting point ⚠️ **Safety** Your guide is a trained hike leader and Outdoor Activity First Aider ❓ **Want to Know More?** • [New to Our Trips?](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/new_to_our_day_hikes.pdf) (perfect for first-timers, answers “what to expect”) • [About Us](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/about_us.pdf) (who Outdooraholics are, credibility, history) • [FAQs](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/FAQ.pdf) (covers common queries) 📲 **Explore More &** **Stay Connected** [Day hikes list](https://outdooraholics.co.uk/hikesbygrade.pdf) 👣 [Calendar