Worth watching out for.
 — John Cleare

North Downs Way: Farnham to Dover

North Downs Way: Farnham to Dover

Excerpt:
About the North Downs Way


Contents list | Introduction | About the North Downs Way | Planning your walk | Using this guide | Sample route guide


HISTORY

The North Downs Way was officially opened as a national trail in 1978 by the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Donald Coggan. The route follows the chalk ridge that forms the North Downs between Farnham and Dover and the trail is jointly managed by both Surrey and Kent county councils and will be supported by, pending its formal establishment as a new statutory agency, Natural England (see p41).

The route also follows, in parts, the Pilgrims’ Way, reputedly taken by pilgrims to the shrine of Thomas – Becket at Canterbury Cathedral, though its existence on maps only appeared from the late 19th century. In all likelihood prehistoric man used trackways along the North Downs which were also later used by drovers and traders keen to avoid toll roads. It is a natural route east to the Continent.

HOW DIFFICULT IS THE NORTH DOWNS WAY?

The North Downs Way is a well-signposted 131-mile (209.6km) walk over generally level and firm ground with very few steep ascents or descents. You do not need previous experience of long-distance path walking. What you do need is suitable clothing, money, time, a half-decent pair of leg muscles and a realistic assessment of your fitness. Remember you don't have to do it all in one go and because transport options are so good you can tackle it in bite-sized stages.

Fitter, more experienced, walkers up for a challenge can always adopt a fast pace and cover the ground in a week or less but that leaves little time to take in the sights or enjoy what the towns and villages of the North Downs Way have to offer. The main thing is not to push yourself beyond your ability. With a bus or train, village or welcoming pub seldom more than a mile or two from the trail it's easy to peel off if you feel you've had enough for the day. Despite this there are places on the trail where you can feel quite remote and isolated.

It can be comfortably walked end to end in about a fortnight and there is something special about walking day after day, establishing a rhythm, getting fitter and travelling at a pace that lets you appreciate the countryside.

If you don't have the time or want to skip the less interesting parts where motorways intrude, there are excellent transport links to most parts of the North Downs Way from London and the South Coast making day and weekend trips easy (see Highlights p27).

Route finding
There is little chance of becoming lost as the trail is well signposted with the National Trail acorn symbol. New waymark posts have been erected throughout the Kent section. Posts may also be marked with a blue chevron indicating a bridleway, yellow for a public footpath, and red for a byway open to all traffic where there is a chance you may meet off-road vehicles.

Any slightly tricky directions not immediately obvious on the ground are noted on the appropriate trail guide maps in Part 4 of this book. In most cases the path is obvious and well trodden and certainly on weekends there are bound to be other walkers about to point you in the right direction. A compass is not necessary.

Do remember that summer foliage may obscure signs or they may go missing so it's best to read ahead in the trail guide and refer to the maps occasionally to confirm your location.

HOW LONG DO YOU NEED?

You can do it in a week if you are determined to crack off the miles day after day and provided you are fit. But that really feels like a race against time. You can have an invigorating holiday easily completing the walk in 10 days, or 14 if you prefer a more relaxed pace.

Bear in mind that if you are camping carrying a heavier pack will slow you down and many of the official sites are well off the trail. Of course you may want to take a day off – you'll probably be tempted by Canterbury. Both Guildford and Rochester are worth at least half a day each and this will add to the time needed. Then again there are superb day and weekend walks (see p27) with easy access and excellent transport links.

North Downs Way: Farnham to Dover

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