Walk 4: Fairlight Glen

This is a walk of about 4 miles descending very steeply into and out of Warren Glen and Fairlight Glen. It can be muddy. This walk is not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies.

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1. From the Visitor Centre go down the road towards the cottages and the rotating radar scanner. Pass the cottages and the radar scanner on your right. Go through the kissing gate, turn right and descend diagonally, below the scanner, heading for another kissing-gate. The sea is ahead and to your left.
2. Arrive at signpost 24
3. Follow the direction “Warren Glen (lower)”. A spectacular view opens up.
   
4. Go down following the steep path.
5. Arrive at signpost 22 (Approximately 800 metres from signpost 24)
6. At signpost 22 turn left and follow the direction to “Warren Glen (lower)” going down the steps.
7. Here, at the bottom of the steps, you have a choice of paths to follow. The first will be easier whereas the second is on rougher ground but maybe a bit more interesting:
   1. Go straight on at the bottom of the steps and continue on the main path to signpost 21). This way signpost 21 is approximately 220 metres from signpost 22.
   2. or, alternatively
      1. Turn right at the bottom of the steps in the direction of “Warren Glen (lower)” and go steeply down.
      2. At the bottom of the slope bear left following a direction marker to “Fairlight Glen”
      3. 20 metres ahead the path crosses the stream on a footbridge. Climb the steps on the opposite bank, bear left on the footpath and go through the woodland slowly descending towards the sea.This way signpost 21 is approximately 270 metres from signpost 22
8. Whichever way you have chosen to get to signpost 21 continue in a westerly direction, with the sea on your left, following a direction marker to “Fairlight Glen”.
9. At the top of the steep climb go through the gate.
10. At signpost 18 follow the direction for “Fairlight Glen” going steeply up through the wood.
11. At the top continue ahead, with a fence to your right and the sea to the left, until you descend on a stepped footpath arriving at signpost 17. Turn left in the direction of “Fairlight Glen (Lower)” and go down the slope into Fairlight Glen.
12. By the stream there is a path to the “clothes optional” beach. This path is not part of the walk and is very steep, slippery and may be hazardous. The path is not maintained by the Council and you use it at your own risk.
13. The main path continues on the other side of the stream where you will find signpost 16 (400 metres from signpost 17).There are two alternate paths at this point both going up to the top of Fairlight Glen. The easier route with a steady, but tough, climb is shown by the direction “Fairlight Glen (Upper)“ at signpost 16. A delightful alternative is to take the path nearer to the steam following it until the path climbs on steps out of the glen¹.
14. The two alternate paths meet 30 metres below signpost 15.
15. At signpost 15 turn left in the direction of “Barley Lane” and pass signpost 13 (400 metres from signpost 15) to arrive at signpost 11 (400 metres from signpost 13). You are now on an asphalt surface used by vehicles and cyclists on National Cycleway Number 2. Turn right on this lane in the direction “Disused Quarry”. At the crossroads, where the lane goes left and right, continue straight ahead through the gate onto a footpath. Follow this path with glimpses of the sea to the right.
16. After crossing a fenced field and passing a marker post indicating the direction as “Warren Glen” you will arrive at signpost 19. It’s 600 metres from signpost 11.
17. Follow the direction to the “Visitor Centre”. Cross the field with the fence on the right, dipping down into the top of the glen and then up again.
18. Go through two gates and join a track leaving “Little Warren Cottage” on your right. Go ahead.
19. At signpost 20 turn left following the direction “Disused Quarry” and “Visitor Centre”.
20. Go up the slope, following the path, and enter the quarry. Information about the quarry is given for signpost 20.
21. About 100 metres into the quarry you will pass an outcrop of rock to the right of the path and, following the path, in another 100 metres a wall of rock seems to block the path.
22. A yellow marker arrow points the way ahead on a narrow path. You turn right at another yellow arrow and then climb the steps cut into the rock. The steps bear to the left and you will meet a crossing footpath.
23. Turn left on this path. The quarry will now be below you on the left.
24. Follow the path around to arrive back at the Visitor Centre (Approximately 200 metres after leaving the quarry).

Footnotes:-

1.This path is often muddy even after a prolonged period of dry weather. Look out for the beautuful dripping well near the top of the path, just before it turns left up some steps.