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Scenic path in the countryside

Top hikes and scenic walks around Brighton

Blog post author - Joana

by Joana Bartlett

What's in it for me?

  • Brighton offers various scenic hikes, including coastal walks and rural trails, with stunning views and photo opportunities
  • Routes like the Undercliff and Brighton coastal walk are easy, while the Falmer Hiking Loop and Stanmer Park Circular offer moderate challenges
  • Brighton’s excellent transport links make it easy to access trails without needing a car, with Southern Railway and local buses providing convenient options

The best walking routes for outdoor adventures

When I think of Brighton, great hikes is often not the first thing which comes to mind. I always think of the vibrant city with a lively pier and historic lanes, but I’ve recently discovered it has some sensational routes with amazing coastal views, photo opportunities, wildlife to spot, and nature to watch. The best bit is they’re free and Southern Railway has such great connections to Brighton station so no more worrying about traffic and parking.

So, if you’re looking for outdoor adventure then Brighton ticks all the boxes! Here are, in my opinion, some of the best walks around Brighton:

The first is an easy walk, the Undercliff walk, which is a 3 mile walk starting at Brighton marina going to Saltdean. The walks under the white cliffs are breath taking with views out along the beaches and sea which are beautiful all year round. There are plenty of cafes and restaurants along the route for a break, and dogs are welcome too as well as being allowed on Southern Railway trains too! The path is flat so this is a relatively easy walk. You can get the number 27 bus which runs every 10 minutes from Brighton station to the marina starting point, the bus takes just 15 minutes or walking to the marina would take just shy of an hour.

Scenic path in the countryside

Another fantastic walk is the Brighton coastal walk, which is 5 miles, and is again a very flat section of path making it an easy walk. Starting at Brighton pier, head west towards Hove, the trail goes all along the seafront past Portslade, past the oldest pub in Brighton to Southwick. The end of the route is Monarch’s Way by the harbour and has wonderful views over Shoreham with plenty of photo opportunities along the way. The pier, and starting point, is just a 20 minute walk from Brighton train station so it’s really well connected and simple to get the train to!

Scenic path in the countryside

Moving onto a moderate level walk, there’s the Falmer Hiking Loop which is 7.5 miles and will take between 3 and 4 hours to complete. Falmer is a village just outside of Brighton, you can either get a direct train there from Brighton station or catch the 78 bus. You’ll walk through a wide range of landscapes, including beautiful rolling hills, open fields and gorgeous rural villages. The trail is well sign posted and provides such a peaceful escape from the city hustle and bustle. You’ll pass by the serene Falmer pond, the historic church of Falmer and see sensational panoramic views.

Scenic path with steps in the countryside

Finally, my personal favourite, is the Stanmer Park Circular walk. This is a moderate walk which is 5-6 miles and will take about 3-4 hours to complete. The Stanmer Estate covers approximately 5,000 acres of land with a café, a village, a manor house and a farm. I got the number 78 Breeze Bus from Brighton, but there’s also the possibility of getting the train to Falmer from Brighton station which is just as quick. There is plenty of history to explore on the walk, plus beautiful scenery the whole way round. I stopped off at One Garden Brighton for a light lunch and it was amazing, it really felt like being on holiday somewhere in the South of France. It’s an old walled garden which has been rediscovered and grows enormous amount of flowers and produce.

Path sign in the woods