Two hikers are posing and taking a selfie. They are standing on a grassy slope near a beach with white cliffs. Both hikers are wearing green Macmillan branded tops and have event ID badges pinned to their tops.

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South Coast Mighty Hike >

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South Coast Mighty Hike

Hiking along the stunning South Coast, this route combines dramatic coastline views with rolling countryside. Starting in Brighton, you’ll walk through the beautiful South Downs before reaching iconic landmarks like the Seven Sisters and Beachy Head.

Full Marathon

Date

7 June 2025

Location

Brighton

Join

Registration fee: £25
Fundraising pledge: £250

Distance

26 miles

Difficulty

Hilly with challenging terrain

Route map

Half Marathon

Sold out

Date

7 June 2025

Location

Alfriston

Join

Registration fee: £20
Fundraising pledge: £250

Distance

13 miles

Difficulty

Hilly with challenging terrain

Route map

What's included in your registration fee?

Green Macmillan tshirt with an M on the front

Your free Macmillan technical hiking t-shirt

Free professional photos to remember your incredible achievement

Regular pit stops with plenty of snacks and refreshments

A clearly marked route and expert mountain leaders

A fresh buffet lunch, plus a hot meal to finish if you’re doing the full marathon

A Mighty medal and glass of bubbly to celebrate crossing the finish

About the South Coast Mighty Hike

Starting in Brighton, you’ll walk through the beautiful South Downs before reaching the iconic Seven Sisters. This is a challenging route, but you’ll be rewarded with stunning coastal views before a final climb up to Beachy Head.

Hike solo and meet friends along the way or sign up with a team of friends and family for a memorable day together.

Take a deeper dive into the South Coast route and track the terrain and elevation of every mile, thanks to this 3D route video from the lovely people at Relive!

“Excellent weather, good signage, sore feet, steep sisters and their siblings but could not be a better day.” Kay, South Coast 2024

Mighty Hikes support

We have many resources to help you prepare for your hike, including how to set up your fundraising page. You can also join our Facebook group and meet the Mighty Hikers community.

Decathlon Kit List

Not sure what to wear or bring? Our kit list has got you covered.

Set up JustGiving page

Set up your South Coast JustGiving page to kick start your fundraising today.

Join the Facebook group

Join the South Coast Facebook group to share stories and get top tips from our incredible community of Mighty Hikers.

Frequently asked questions

When and where does the South Coast Mighty Hike start and finish?

The full marathon will start at Brighton Racecourse, BN2 9XZ, and the half marathon will start at Bankhouse Farm, BN26 5UF.

Both hikes finish at Helen Gardens, BN20 7XL.

The full marathon waves will start every 20 minutes from 07:00, and the half marathon waves will start every 20 minutes from 08:00.
What is the South Coast Mighty Hike route?

The South Coast Mighty Hike starts in either Brighton for the full marathon or Alfriston for the half marathon. You will be hiking through the South Downs National Park before heading over the Seven Sisters, through the Birling Gap and down into the finish line in Eastbourne.

View the routes on Google Maps.

You can also view the GPS routes with elevation graphs for the full marathon and half marathon.

Please note that the routes can be subject to change following health and safety inspections. Any key changes will be communicated on the day.
What are the route highlights for the South Coast Mighty Hike?

Along this stunning route, you'll experience:
1. The iconic Seven Sisters Cliffs – marvel at the striking white chalk cliffs, visible with every step you take along this dramatic coastline.
2. The Birling Gap – with the final climb of the hike ahead, you'll be captivated by the breathtaking view where the South Downs meet the sea.
3. The South Downs National Park – England’s newest national park, offering sweeping landscapes and unparalleled natural beauty.
Where should I stay for the South Coast Mighty Hike?

We recommend staying in Brighton for easy access to the full marathon start line, or in Eastbourne for a nice and easy journey home after your hike. If you're taking part in the half marathon, Newhaven, Seaford or Polegate all offer easy access to Alfriston via Alfriston Road.
How do I get there?

You can get to Brighton Racecourse either by car or taxi. There are also buses (Number 2 and Number 22) which run from outside Churchill Shopping Centre (Stop H) to Brighton Racecourse. Please note, we cannot guarantee that public transport will be running at the time you start your hike.

We recommend having access to a vehicle or bike to get to the half marathon start line.

Parking for the full marathon will be at Brighton Racecourse, BN2 9XZ. Parking for the half marathon will be at Bramley Farm Bootfairs in Polegate, BN26 6QN. Please note that you will need to get a shuttle bus from Bramley Farm Bootfairs to the half marathon start line which is a 15 minute drive.

For the full marathon, free shuttle buses will run from the finish line back to the start line in Brighton after the hike. There will also be free shuttle buses from the half marathon finish line to the car park in the afternoon.

You can book parking and shuttle buses when you register.
What if my Mighty Hike gets cancelled?

If your Mighty Hike is cancelled for any reason, you’ll be contacted by email and text and live updates will be made to this FAQ document with all the information you need.

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Potential training routes on the south coast

Best walking trails in Brighton (AllTrails)
Sussex Long Distance Trails (Discover Sussex)
The best walks and hikes around Brighton and Hove (Komoot)

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Volunteering at a Mighty Hike

A volunteer at a Mighty Hike Don’t fancy hiking?

Become a Mighty Hike volunteer instead!

From helping with registration to handing out medals and bubbly at the finish line, there’s a role for everyone. It’s the perfect opportunity to try something new, meet like-minded people and explore beautiful corners of the UK.

Every hour you give makes a Mighty difference.

See other Mighty Hikes

Daniel, wearing a bucket hat on a Mighty Hike

Don’t fancy this one? No sweat! We’ve got many other beautiful Mighty Hikes in all corners of the UK, hilly and flat, so you can find the perfect challenge for you.

Choose a different hike