The North Downs Way Hike

The North Downs Way runs 153 miles from Farnham in Surrey to Dover on the Kent coast, following the chalk escarpment of the North Downs. It opened as a National Trail in 1978 and overlaps with several pilgrim routes — the Pilgrims’ Way to Canterbury runs alongside or beneath the trail for much of its length.

What to expect

Eight to ten days at a steady pace. The terrain is gentle by National Trail standards — rolling chalk downland, beech woods, dry valleys, with cumulative ascent under 6,000m. Highlights include Box Hill (the Olympics 2012 cycling course), the white cliffs around Dover, and the quiet country between Wye and Folkestone. The path runs close enough to London that day-trip sections are easy on most weekends.

Practical notes

Walkable year-round; chalk drains well so winter mud is manageable. Public transport at almost every overnight stop — the route never strays far from a Southeastern train station. The North Downs Way Association publishes the most detailed route guide. Accommodation is plentiful but books up in spring weekends. Wear stiffer boots than you’d expect — the flint underfoot is unforgiving on light walking shoes.