Walk 2: The Firehills

This path has a hard surface and is suitable for buggies and wheelchairs. The round trip is about a mile and returns on the same route.

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1. From the Visitor Centre go down the road towards the former coastguard cottages and the rotating Radar Scanner.
2. At the end of the car park turn left onto the “Access for All Trail”; it’s a hard surfaced path suitable for buggies, wheelchairs and strollers. Continue down the slope on the path until you come to signpost 25 which is about 400 metres from the Visitor Centre. The Signpost is tucked away to the right of the path just as the path bends to the left.
3. Continue on the hard surfaced path until it ends about 800 metres from the Visitor Centre. If you are “on wheels” you will need to return to the Visitor Centre and car park at this point.
4. The walk continues along a rough path on the ridge of the high ground with the sea to your right.
5. 300 metres after the hard surface ends the path goes downhill and soon you will see the houses of Fairlight Village. When you reach the boundary fence of the Country Park turn right along the boundary to arrive at signpost 27. Here there is a gate out to Fairlight Village.
6. Return to the Visitor Centre along the path closest to the coast.  Warning: Don’t go too near the cliffs as they are crumbling and dangerous.
7. The path climbs slowly and then more steeply. The sea is to the left and the remains of the Coastguard Lookout to the right.
8. Keep to the coastal path with the fence on your left. There is a steep climb. As you come to the top of the slope the Radar Scanner comes into view. Continue to follow the coast path with the radar scanner ahead to your right.
9. Finally follow the path up to the radar scanner. You are on Fairlight Head. See the link for signpost 24 for more about this area. The signpost is directly below the Radar Scanner on the route of the Warren Glen and Fairlight Glen Walks.
10. To return to the Visitor Centre go through the gate which leads to the road in front of the cottages. The Visitor Centre and car park are straight ahead.