The Seven Sisters - Wow, simply stunning!!

 Since there was a bank holiday on Aug. 28th we decided to go on a short weekend trip to Brighton and hike the famous Seven Sisters trail. We are so glad we did because that hike was by far the most picturesque hike we have done so far in the UK! The white cliffs were just stunning and so was the ocean with its beautiful turquoise color.

We stayed in a little village called Rottingdean, which is located between Brighton and Seaford.

To get to the start of our hike we took the bus from Rottingdean to Seaford which was about a 20 minute bus ride and cost only 2 GBP (summer special). Once we got to the Seaford car park we were glad to have taken the bus, the car park was pretty filled up.  

The first few miles of the hike was the prettiest, but we enjoyed the full 11 miles to Eastbourne. The scenery was just breathtaking. 


Here is Sarah jumping for joy!







First view of the seven sisters (Well, there are actually now more than seven hills, because of erosion. But when it was named Seven Sisters there were just 7 hills).  




About 1 hour into the hike we crossed the Cuckmere river. We were there about 2 hours before low tide - the water was low enough to cross. Otherwise, we would have had to hike 2 extra miles to the bridge to cross the river. 


From Cuckmere beach we continued our hike along the coast, over the 7 or more hills....



After a while we arrived at Birling Gap, an idyllic coastal hamlet. It as also the only place with a restroom on this hike. Unsurprisingly there was a very long line for that! 
At Birling Gap we learned from a small exhibition that the white cliffs stay so white because every year the cliffs loose about 70 cm of chalk, hence it's always white (unlike the white cliffs of Dover, that do not loose as much since it's made out of harder rock).


Continuing from Birling Gap there was a nice view looking back at the 7 sisters. 


Just a little way passed Birling Gap we arrived at the first light house, the Bell Tout Lighthouse where we ate lunch. 


The hike continued passed that, and we arrived at the second lighthouse: the Beachy Head lighthouse. 



After that the hike wasn't quite as stunning and we arrived at Eastbourne. To catch the bus back to Rottingdean, we had to hike another 1.5 - 2 miles into the city. The bus at Eastbourne filled up pretty quickly, and we were glad we kept hiking to Eastbourne so we could get a seat on the bus. Those who quit the hike earlier and tried to catch the bus at Beachy head, or earlier had to wait quite a while for a bus that was not filled up. The bus ride took about an hour with lots of stops to get back to Rottingdean. 


We also visited Brighton on this weekend trip. Brighton is a fun, very liberal town with lots of pride flags, lively streets and cute cafes. 



The beaches here are nice but rocky. 



This path below the white cliffs goes on forever, would be a nice biking or jogging path. 


And lastly, a few pictures of the quaint village Rottingdean, where we stayed for a couple of nights. This village is famous for being a former residence of Rudyard Kipling, the author of the Jungle Book. 












The locals are nice and funny: Here a local volunteered to show us the lucky pig. Touch its nose and twirl 3 times and your wish will come true! :)


Not sure if he was just pulling our leg, but just in case Sarah and I had to try it out!



THE END







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