South Downs Way — Sections 7–9: River Adur to Eastbourne landscape

Photo by Jonathan Mabey on Unsplash

South Downs Way — Sections 7–9: River Adur to Eastbourne

~3 days · 39.9 mi · hard · Point-to-point

Quick facts

Distance39.9 mi
Days out3
Elevation gain5,440 ft
Gain / mile136 ft
High point751 ft
Difficulty index19/100

What the South Downs Way — Sections 7–9: River Adur to Eastbourne is known for

Sections 7–9 of South Downs Way is an official 62 km point-to-point section from River Adur trail bridge node (OSM node 100083125) to Eastbourne trail terminus (OSM node 501824407).

Route map & campsites

Route map of the South Downs Way — Sections 7–9: River Adur to Eastbourne on OpenStreetMap terrain Open in Planner →

Route shape from OpenStreetMap geometry. Start · End · Camp

Elevation profile

Elevation ranges from 23 ft to 2,431 ft over 39.9 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).

  • Uphill 16.0 mi · 40%
  • Downhill 16.8 mi · 42%
  • Flat 7.1 mi · 18%

Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.

How hard is the South Downs Way — Sections 7–9: River Adur to Eastbourne?

19 / 100

On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the South Downs Way — Sections 7–9: River Adur to Eastbourne scores 19/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.

Frequently asked questions

How many days does the South Downs Way — Sections 7–9: River Adur to Eastbourne take?

Most backpackers hike the South Downs Way — Sections 7–9: River Adur to Eastbourne in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 39.9 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.

How much elevation gain is on the South Downs Way — Sections 7–9: River Adur to Eastbourne?

The South Downs Way — Sections 7–9: River Adur to Eastbourne climbs roughly 5,440 ft total — about 136 ft per mile, topping out near 751 ft.

Related trails

Sources & attribution

Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.

Plan the South Downs Way — Sections 7–9: River Adur to Eastbourne Plan Free →