The North Downs Way

The North Downs Way runs for about 201km from Farnham to Dover (or 211km if you take the alternative route via Canterbury).

The National Trail was opened in 1978, and largely follows the escarpment of the North Downs, with parts following the Pilgrims Way. The essence of the route has been in use for cross-country trading for about 10 000 years, until 5 000 years ago continuing across what is now the English Channel into France. There remains much woodland and some rare wildlife on the downs, and despite its proximity to the M25, M26 and M20, manages to find some fairly peaceful spots in crowded southeast England.

My walks on the North Downs Way

Date From / to Distance on Path Ascent   Approx time
21 October 2007 Farnham to Guildford 18.6 km 280 metres   4 hours 15 mins
28 June 2008 Guildford to Dorking 20.4 km 400 metres   4 hours 26 mins
24 May 2008 Dorking to Mertsham 15.4 km 629 metres   4 hours 16 mins
27 October 2007 Mertsham to Westerham 19.8 km 514 metres   4 hours 45 mins
30 March 2008 Westerham to Wrotham 22.4 km 472 metres   5 hours 58 mins
23 September 2007 Wrotham to Rochester 17.5 km 494 metres   4 hours 5 mins
4 August 2007 Rochester to Coldblow Lane, Thurnham 20.0 km 566 metres   6 hours 15 mins
19 August 2007 Coldblow Lane, Thurnam to Dunn Street 21.9 km 348 metres   6 hours 22 mins
1 February 2009 Dunn Street to Etchinghill 24.1 km 514 metres   5 hours 36 mins
4 May 2009 Etchinghill to Dover 20.9 km 641 metres   5 hours 24 mins
10 April 2011 Boughton Lees to near Aylesham 32.1 km 638 metres   8 hours 33 mins

Total walked so far: 201 km - all of the National Trail main line.
32 km (about 62%) of the Canterbury loop

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