Cycle routes in Kent: Perfect for a breezy summer's day

Get your helmets out and to head south to check out some of the best cycle routes in Kent - both inland and along the coast.

Despite being a stone's throw from the smog of London, the Garden of England not only boasts lush, largely flat landscapes, but also benefits from a great climate during the summer months as well as parts of spring and autumn. These positive points, plus many more, make Kent a great destination for a cycling holiday in the great outdoors.

Here are a few of our favourite routes.

Viking Coastal Trail

Whether you are an experienced cyclist, a casual biker or a family with small children, there is plenty to see and do for everyone along the looped 32-mile Viking Coastal Trail. The trail can be found on the Isle of Thanet, where Vikings are said to have first landed in 449AD beneath the towering White Cliffs of Dover.

From the trail’s inland starting points, such as St. Nicholas-at-Wade and Monkton, cyclists can then head towards the coastal towns of Ramsgate and Margate for some spectacular scenery and a bit of Kentish seaside charm. If you don’t feel up to cycling the whole route, a popular option is to ride the 9-mile stretch from Margate to Westgate-on-Sea to take in some sea air along the Kent sea wall.

Other top attractions on the Viking Coastal Trail include Monkton Nature Reserve, the lovely Minnis Bay (a great spot for water sports enthusiasts) and the Victorian church of St. Augustine’s Abbey in Ramsgate.

Heron Trail

This 25km on-road coastal route stretches from Highnam to Upnor on the Hoo Peninsular. Criss-crossing through quiet lanes on Regional Route 18, the Heron Trail is a firm favourite with cyclists in Kent.

There are many sites of interest on the Heron route, which include castles, harbours, churches and open countryside, and they really encompass what the county of Kent has to offer. Alongside some top treats dotted along its pathways, visitors can also discover the Heron Trail’s strong literary links by reading Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations and A Tale of Two Cities – which were both penned in the area. Expect to see a few maritime heritage sites and a rich variety of birdlife on your chosen points along this circular route.

Crab and Winkle Way

The delightfully named Crab and Winkle Way forms an idyllic 7-mile cycle route between the charming Kentish towns of Canterbury and Whitstable. (Canterbury a superb base for your camping holiday!)

This virtually traffic-free trail offers a delicious slice of east Kent’s heritage and culture quirks, most notably architectural treats such as Canterbury Cathedral and Whitstable’s rich fishing background - don’t leave without trying an Oyster!

The path takes its name from one of the first, pioneering railway lines in the UK which stretched from Canterbury and Whitstable from the start of the 19th century. Although times have slightly changed since then, the Crab and Winkle Way is still seen as a wonderful green escape away from the densely populated areas nearby.

While this trail is much shorter than many of Kent’s cycle routes, expect to see plenty of passing interest, including Blean Woods RSPB Nature Reserve and the conifer-rich woodland of Clowes Wood. 

Tudor Trail

Away from Kent’s circular coastal trails lies the Tudor Trail which runs between Tonbridge Castle and Hever Castle. This trail celebrates all that is wonderful about rural Kent: quiet country pathways, quaint little towns with Tudor features and lush countryside views (not to mention lots of castles).

The 10-mile Tudor Trail, with its thick woodland and old-fashioned hedgerows changes with every passing season. Expect carpets of wildflowers in the summer followed by a rich tapestry of burnt hues in the autumn.

Must-see historical sites on the Tudor Trail include the 900-year-old Tonbridge Castle, Hever Castle (once home to Anne Boleyn and Anne of Cleaves), Chiddingstone Castle and Haysden Country Park.

We hope you enjoy snaking through Kent’s trails and absorbing the natural beauty on offer. Whether you head towards the main tourist hubs or venture out into the county’s rural undergrowth, there are great cycle routes to get you wherever you are going.