Saxon Shore way is a designated trail mostly following the south east coast all the way to Hastings. The route is marked with Viking helmet signs so hopefully we'll avoid getting lost too often.

As you can see from the above map, there are a number of decent elevations ensuring that we will certainly burn some calories especially in the second half. 

Originally opened in 1980, it has since been re-routed and extended. It uses existing footpaths and rights of way to roughly follow the coastline as it was around 1,500 years ago. The way takes its name from the line of fortifications built along the southern and eastern coasts by the Romans in the third century AD. Originally believed to have been built to protect Britain from marauding tribes such as the Saxons.

There will be a number of interesting places to see on the way, including Iron Age hill forts, churches, a cathedral, historic ports and several castles as well as two areas of outstanding natural beauty, numerous sites of special scientific interest and a number of nature reserves.

With 160 miles to cover in 8-10 days we will be aiming to cover 15-20 miles per day... sounds easy? We will be carrying everything we need for the entire journey on our backs including food, clothing and waterproofs. There will be no comfy beds or even a roof over our heads as we'll be wild camping the entire way with only the bare essentials to get us through.

There will be few comforts for us on this hike, although we'll snatch any opportunity we can for a pub lunch, cold refreshment or a wash should the chance arise.

Of course the hike is being undertaken in the name of charity and we shall once again be raising much needed funds for the excellent SELSAR. Two years ago we helped them by raising funds to buy their control vehicle. This year we want to help them properly kit it out.