Seascapes and Saltmarsh Trail

A short, steep loop on Seaford Head from South Hill Barn: down the valley to the steps at Hope Gap and its chalk ledges, along the cliff top past the Coastguard Cottages and the famous view of the Seven Sisters, onto the shingle at Cuckmere Haven and up the river, then back over the hill past Harry's Bush. Parking at South Hill Barn is free. No café on the way: the National Trust points to the tea room at Seven Sisters Country Park, across the river.

The ground

Short but steep in two places: the 'steep, short hill' after the steps at Hope Gap, and the climb past Harry's Bush. Steps down to Hope Gap, the top of the shingle bank at Cuckmere Haven, and a valley floor that 'can be muddy in winter'.

Livestock

The trail page doesn't say, but the route crosses a cattle grid, and Seaford Head's own guidance is leads when sheep are grazing (Sussex Wildlife Trust manages the reserve).

The line on the map

The National Trust gives 1.5 miles (2.4 km), but a line through the places it names, in order (Hope Gap, the Coastguard Cottages, the river bank, the valley edge, Harry's Bush), can't be drawn that short on the mapped paths: ours is about 3.7 km. Worth pacing out.