Just a stone away from London, Kent offers probably the best walks for city-dwellers hoping to escape from the concrete jungle and stretch their legs. Also, why not stop for a rewarding pint in some of the best countrysides pubs at the end?
From windswept chalk cliffs to rolling countryside, passing by open farmlands and orchards sprinkled with hop kilns, the “Garden of England” offers a variety of trails for everybody. Regardless of whether you are looking for a simple morning stroll before a Sunday roast or for a challenging hilly hike, in this article, I am walking you through some of the best hikes you can do in Kent.
Here are 7 of the best walks in Kent ranged by difficulty
1 – Margate to Ramsgate via Broadstairs
Whichever way you want to do this walk, it is perhaps one of the most popular hikes on the South Coast taking you through 11 bays and seashores with some picturesque views from the top of the cliffs. It is an ideal stroll for beginners. I did it twice, once in each direction, and there is no better route. While Ramsgate is a lot prettier to end at, the food was better in Margate … so it’s about what you prefer!
Logistics for the Margate to Ramsgate walk
- Distance: 9.30 miles (15km)
- Ascent: 44m
- Walking estimate: 3 hours and 45 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- How to get there: Trains from London St Pancras. I would recommend you buy a day return to Margate as it is the last stop on the line. All 3 towns have a train station so you can hop off wherever you want
- What to pack: Comfortable clothing, pairs of trainers (the trail is on concrete so I would not recommend taking your hiking boots on this walk), sunscreen, sunglasses and head cover, water (2 litres recommended)
- Additional information: There are public toilets in Broadstairs, conveniently located halfway through the walk
Highlights of the Margate to Ramsgate walk
- The Viking trail
- Margate
- Broadstairs
- Ramsgate
- 11 beaches and bays
- Kingsgate Castle
- Eat at Morelli’s Gelato
2 – Otford to Eynsford via Shoreham
This is another walk ending with a traditional Sunday Roast but this time you are going down the Darent Valley. This walk has a touch of history as you will be passing by the Lullingstone Castle and the lavender fields as well as the Eynsford Viaduc. Whilst it is a lovely easy walk, with a drink stop halfway through in the village of Shoreham, I rated it as intermediate due to the length & time but also the steep hill before the arrival at Shoreham. If you do not feel fit enough or want to walk a little bit less, you can simply start at Shoreham and enjoy a shorter and easier stroll.
Logistics for the Otford to Eynsford walk
- Distance: 9.61 miles (15.46km)
- Ascent: 137 m
- Walking estimate: 4 hours and a half
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- How to get there: Trains from London Victoria. The plus side of this walk is that Otford and Eynsford are on the same line so you can buy a day return to Otford
- What to pack: Comfortable clothing and footwear, snack (you will need one as it is quite a long walk before reaching the pub at the end), water (2 litres recommended)
Highlights of the Otford to Eynsford walk
- Otford village
- Shoreham White Cross
- Shoreham village
- Drink at the King’s Arms
- Lavender fields & shop
- Lullingstone Castle
- Eynsford Viaduct
- Eynsford village
- Eat at the Castle Hotel
3 – Sole Street Circular
Looking for an easy stroll with a delicious Sunday roast at the end? Look no further! Easily accessible from London by train, this walk takes you through part of the North Downs Way, Kent rolling countryside and endless green fields. And the cherry on top, you will get to eat at Dicken’s favourite ale house in Kent!
Logistics for the Sole Street Circular walk
- Distance: 11.09 miles (17.84km)
- Ascent: 277m
- Walking estimate: 4 hours and 40 minutes
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- How to get there: Train from London Victoria to Sole Street. The journey takes 50 minutes.
- What to pack: Suitable clothing and footwear, water (ideally 2 litres)
Highlights of the Sole Street Circular walk
- Kent countryside
- North Downs
- Darnley Mausoleum
- Eat at the Leather Bottle
4 – Otford to Oxted Walk
From rolling hills, pastures, maize fields and woodlands let’s go for another walk through the North Downs. However, this walk can be challenging due to both the ascent and the distance yet it offers breathtaking views over the valley. At the end of this long and hill-climbing walk, you will be rewarded with a traditional pub meal. So it is worth it!
Logistics for the Otford to Oxted walk
- Distance: 12.48 miles (20.08km)
- Ascent: 260m
- Walking estimate: 6 hours
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- How to get there: Trains from London Victoria and back to London Victoria or London Bridge. Kindly note that Otford and Oxted are not on the same line so you cannot get a day return ticket and you would have to buy both journeys separately
- What to pack: Comfortable clothes and footwear, water (2 litres recommended)
Highlights of the Otford to Oxted walk
- Otford
- North Downs
- Oxted
- Eat at the Old Bell
5 – Cuxton to Otford Walk
Let’s go to the North Downs with its endless golden fields and evergreen woodlands for a walk from Cuxton to Otford. This long-distance in the Area of Outstanding Beauty takes you from Cuxton’s straw fields and plantations to hilly Otford. You will stop for lunch at Trosley Country Park in the forest, which is conveniently located halfway through the hike.
Logistic for Cuxton to Otford walk
- Distance: 14.88 miles (23.9km)
- Ascent: 215 m
- Walking estimate: 7 hours
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- How to get there: Trains from London St Pancras and back to London Victoria. Please note it is not possible to buy a day return ticket for this walk as Cuxton and Otford are not on the same line
- What to pack: Comfortable clothing and footwear, water (2 litres recommended)
Highlights of the Cuxton to Otford walk
- North Downs
- Trosley Country Park
- Otford
6 – Oxted Circular Via Chartwell
Hill lovers welcome! This non-stop up-and-down hike is the most challenging one in Kent I have done so far. It is not only fairly long but it is incredibly hilly, and we are talking steep hills here. However, the effort is worthwhile as you will be recompensed by the view over the valley and Chartwell House, which used to be Winston Churchill’s family house. This walk additionally takes you to Emmett’s Garden, a National Trust garden located in Scords Woods, which makes a perfect stop for lunch. Are you ready for the challenge?
Logistic for Oxted Circular via Chartwell
- Distance: 16.26 miles (26.16km)
- Ascent: 650 m
- Walking estimate: 7 hours and a half
- How to get there: Trains from Victoria or London Bridge Station. It takes around 40 minutes
- What to bring with you: Comfortable clothing and footwear, as you will be climbing a couple of hills, snack, packed lunch, water (2 litres recommended), sunscreen and head cover if you are going on a sunny day, sitting mat as the site for lunch, has ants
- Additional information: Public toilets available in Emmetts Garden, halfway through the hike
Highlights of the Oxted Circular via Chartwell
- Oxted town
- Emmett’s Garden
- Octavia Hill’s House
- Chartwell House
7 – Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk
The Tunbridge Wells circular walk is no stroll in the park, so on the off chance that you are searching for a long and hilly walk, you came to the right place! This challenging hike takes you from the magnificence of the Kent slopes to woodlands carpeted in bluebells passing by old villages. It is the perfect hike if you want to mix long-distance, hill-climbing and scenic views.
Logistics for the Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk
- Distance: 18.75 miles (30.15 km)
- Ascent: 529 m
- Walking estimate: 7 hours and 15 minutes
- Difficulty: Intermediate
- How to get there: Trains from Charing Cross Station. The journey takes just under an hour
- What to bring: Comfortable clothing and footwear as you would be climbing hills yet in addition some parts of the trail are in woodlands so it can get muddy, water (2 litres recommended), snack, packed lunch, a headcover as it gets really windy at the top of the hills
Highlights of the Tunbridge Wells Circular Walk
- Tunbridge Wells
- Pembury village
- The Old Church of St Peter in Pembury
- Tonbridge town
- Southborough town
- St Peter’s Church in Southborough
- Speldhurst village
- St Mary’s Church
- Rusthall village
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