Walk the North Downs Way, one of England’s classic long-distance National Trails, stretching 208km (130 miles) from Farnham in Surrey to Dover on the Kent coast. Following the high chalk ridges of the North Downs, this waymarked route passes through rolling countryside, historic towns, picturesque villages, and the Surrey Hills and Kent Downs National Landscapes (Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty). 

This Cicerone guidebook provides everything you need to plan and walk the North Downs Way with confidence. Whether tackling the full trail over 11–12 days or exploring it in sections, the guidebook combines stage-by-stage route guidance, detailed mapping, practical planning advice, and cultural context to help you make the most of your walk. With gentle gradients and well-maintained paths, it is suitable for walkers of all levels, while panoramic views, historic sites, and cultural highlights ensure a rich and rewarding journey.

• Step-by-step route descriptions are provided for all of the main 11 stages (12-22km), plus an optional detour to Canterbury, which continues along the ancient Pilgrim's Way trail 
• Suggestions on where you'll find accommodation along the route, along with public transport and refreshments, are included to help you plan your trip through the ‘garden of England’ 
• A separate 1:25,000 map booklet with the route line clearly marked is the perfect navigational tool to keep you on track without the need for multiple maps
• Heritage highlights of the route are described, such as Box Hill, Coldrum Stones, Thurnham Castle, Canterbury Cathedral and Shakespeare Cliff, to provide context as you walk 
• Advice from expert author Kev Reynolds on key decisions like when to go, how to get to the start, and which direction to walk is included

Perfect for April to October, when downland wildflowers bloom, this beginner-friendly trail passes Guildford, Otford, Wye, Chilham and Patrixbourne and is a gentler alternative to the South Downs Way, with fewer crowds and rich history from Neolithic tombs to Dickens' Kent. Your comprehensive Cicerone guidebook transforms planning into discovery across England's garden heartlands.

North Downs Way – Quick Facts

Trail name: Walking the North Downs Way 
Location: South‑East England (Farnham, Hampshire to Dover, Kent)  
Total distance: ~208 km / ~130 miles  
Typical duration: ~11 days end‑to‑end (daily stages ~12–22 km / 8–14 miles)  
Start / Finish: Farnham to Dover (with optional Canterbury loop)  
Route type: Long‑distance waymarked National Trail described in 11 stages  
Difficulty: Gentle long‑distance walk; suitable for first‑time long‑distance walkers  
Terrain: Chalk downland ridge, rolling countryside and gentle ascents/descents  
Navigation: Step‑by‑step descriptions with OS 1:50,000 maps and separate 1:25,000 map booklet available
Best season: Walkable year‑round; at its best April–October

Author Top Tip: North Downs Way vs South Downs Way

“Exploring every aspect of the Surrey Hills and Kent Downs Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the North Downs Way (NDW) National Trail offers the walker a very different experience from that on the South Downs Way (SDW), for example, for while the SDW challenges with some steepish ascents and descents, the NDW is much more gentle with fewer climbs, and where these are made, the gradients are generally much less demanding. There’s more habitation along the North Downs Way, but, surprisingly, in view of the proximity of major centres of commerce and industry, and large residential areas (especially between Farnham and Detling), you meet far fewer walkers.”

- Kev Reynolds, author of The North Downs Way

Introduction
The North Downs Way
Walking west to east
Where to stay
Waymarking and accessibility
When to go
Getting there – and back
Using this guide
Along the way

The North Downs Way
Stage 1    Farnham to Guildford
Stage 2    Guildford to the Mole Valley (A24)
Stage 3    Mole Valley to Merstham
Stage 4     Merstham to Westerham Hill
Stage 5     Westerham Hill to Wrotham
Stage 6     Wrotham to the Medway
Stage 7     The Medway to Detling
Stage 8     Detling to Harrietsham
Stage 9     Harrietsham to Boughton Lees
Direct Route to Dover via Wye
Stage 10     Boughton Lees to Etchinghill
Stage 11     Etchinghill to Dover
The Canterbury Loop
Stage 10a     Boughton Lees to Canterbury
Stage 11a     Canterbury to Shepherdswell
Stage 12a     Shepherdswell to Dover

Appendix A    Useful contacts
Appendix B    Recommended reading
Appendix C    Route summary table

Seasons

The North Downs Way can be walked at any time of the year, but is seen at its best between April and October

Centres

Beginning in Farnham, the North Downs Way passes close-to or through Guildford, Otford, Wrotham, Detling, Charing, Wye, Chilham, Canterbury, Patrixbourne and ends in Dover

Difficulty

Despite some reasonably short steep ascents and descents, the North Downs Way is one of the more gentle of National Trails and is suitable for first-time long distance walkers.

Must See

Passing through the Surrey and Kent Downs Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the North Downs Way crosses Box Hill, visits Neolithic sites like the Coldrum Stones and Kits Coty House; passes below the remains of Thurnham Castle, visits Canterbury Cathedral, Dover Castle, and across Shakespeare Cliff, one of the White Cliffs of Dover.

November 2024

Stages 11a and 12a Canterbury to Dover

September 2021

Stage 8

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