North Downs Way

The North Downs ridge - woooded in the east, open downland in the west. Pilgrims Way to Canterbury, or white cliffs to finish

Length 124 miles (200km) - Southern Route, 9 miles longer for the Canterbury route
Toughness 5 out of 10. Ascent : 12,100 feet (3,700 metres) over 11 days. Mostly easy ridge walking, but several strenuous sections where the path goes up and down the steep side of the ridge several times in succession to keep to rights of way
Maps

OS Explorer Maps : 145, 146, 147, 148, 137, 138, 150

Walk Notes

The North Downs Way follows the North Downs Ridge from Farnham, across Surrey and Kent, to the sea at Dover. The route is inspired by the Pilgims Way.

The OS map and GPX links above are to give you an overview of the entire walk.

The first stage between Farnham and Guildford is across heathland below the ridge (which has a dual carriageway running along it) but is a very pleasent walk

The next stage to Dorking is along a wooded ridge, with fine view to the south via St Martha's church

After Dorking is Box Hill, and some strenuous sections as the path meanders up and down the ridge, before a very pleasent open section

After Mestham, there is more woodland with occasional views, and noise from the M25

The remanider of the walk is more open with views to the south. There is a long northerly detour to cross the Medway river

The next section is on the south side of the rideg with good views to Wye

There are 2 routes to Dover, the northern Pilgrim's route via Canterbury, or the southern walkers route with great views over the Channel, with open downland, then along the White Cliffs

Stages
StageLengthAscentOur Walks
1 : Farnham Station to Near Guildford Station 10.9 miles ( 17.5 km) 633 ft (193 meters) TOCW2, Walk 12 - Guildford to Farnham is similar
2 : Near Guildford Station (1.4km) to Box Hill Station 13.1 miles ( 21.0 km) 1161 ft (354 meters) TOCW2, Walk 13 - Guildford to Gomshall and Dorking
3 : Box Hill Station (0.7km) to Merstham Station 9.5 miles ( 15.3 km) 1548 ft (472 meters)
4 : Merstham Station to A233 Bus Stop 12.5 miles ( 20.1 km) 1584 ft (483 meters) SWC Walk 111 Caterham to Knockholt
5 : A233 Bus Stop to Otford Station 8.7 miles ( 14.1 km) 547 ft (167 meters) As above
6 : Otford Station to Near Halling Station 12.7 miles ( 20.4 km) 1361 ft (415 meters)
7 : Near Halling Station (1.5 km) to Kits Coty Bus Stop 9.1 miles ( 14.6 km) 866 ft (264 meters)
8 : Kits Coty/A229 Bus Stop to near Harrietsham Station 12.4 miles ( 20.0 km) 1555 ft (474 meters)
9 : Near Harrietsham Station (1km) to Wye Station 12.6 miles ( 20.3 km) 410 ft (125 meters)
10S : Wye Station to Near Sandling Station 10.7 miles ( 17.1 km) 1204 ft (367 meters) SWC Walk 24 Sandling to Wye
11S : Near Sandling Station (2km) to Dover Station 12.1 miles ( 19.5 km) 1292 ft (394 meters) SWC Walk 93 Sandling to Dover
10N : Near Wye Station (2km) to Canterbury Station 12.3 miles ( 19.8 km) 1085 ft (331 meters)
11N : Canterbury Station to Dover Station 19.6 miles ( 31.5 km) 1233 ft(376 meters)
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Version

Jan-19

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