Walk The North Downs Way with a Cicerone guidebook
The North Downs Way
by Kev Reynolds
A handy pocked sized guidebook for anyone planning to walk the North Downs Way National Trail. At 130 miles the route follows the ancient Pilgrim's Way for much of the trail through surprisingly peaceful and often wooded countryside. The North Downs Way is one of the easier national trails, and the walk is described over 11 stages. More...
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The North Downs Way is a celebrated 130-mile national trail that stretches from the high downland of Farnham to the historic city of Dover on the Kent coast.
Exploring every aspect of the Surrey Hills and the Kent Downs Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the North Downs Way National Trail offers walkers a very different experience from that on the South Downs Way. The North Downs Way is much more gentle with fewer climbs, and where these are made, the gradients are generally much less demanding.
Divided into 11 sections that cover the national trail, as well as a further three routes for its northern spur via Canterbury, it's a fantastic companion to a peaceful, green and beautiful landscape.
Several historic sites including Neolithic burial chambers, Roman roads and Norman churches are passed and much of the route follows The Pilgrims Way, allowing the guide to unravel some of the region's rich history. The area also boasts many literary connections with some of the most celebrated voices in English literature.
Seasons
Could be tackled in any season, springtime gives a wealth of wild flowers, early summer gives long days and warmer weather, and autumn has the delight of golden leaves in the woodlandsCentres
The North Downs Way passes through or near: Guildford, Westerham, Otford, Rochester, Wye, Chilham, Canterbury and DoverDifficulty
One of the easier National Trails, with a modest number of steep (but short) ascents and descents and long sections with no noticeable height gain or loss; mostly well-maintained and signedMust See
Numerous great viewpoints including St Martha’s Hill, Box Hill, Colley Hill, Holly Hill, Blue Bell Hill, the Wye Downs and Shakespeare Cliff (a Heritage Coast); historic sites like Kits Coty House and Canterbury Cathedral, and beautiful villages like Upper Bush and Chilham









