Coast to cathedral
Undertake your own Pilgrim's Progress on this marvellous 50 mile
(80km) circular ride using Regional Routes 16 and 17 linking Dover,
Canterbury and Folkestone.
The route
passes along leafy lanes and bridleways amid rolling hills, wide
skies, woodland, country villages and hamlets; the perfect recipe
for a cycle holiday or a mixture of great day rides.
It is advisable to start the journey anti-clockwise via Route
16, as the climb out of Dover is short and steep compared to the
longer, harder climb out of Folkestone.
Leaving stunning views of Dover
Castle behind, the route joins quiet country lanes. It meanders
through fine east Kent countryside and old villages to
Patrixbourne, where the North Downs Way leads to Canterbury.
The return leg from Canterbury branches off route 16. Pick up
scenic Route 17 through the village of Bridge, to follow quiet
valley lanes past Lynsore Bottom to Elham.
At Elham, you can visit Park Gate Down Nature Reserve, a popular
grassland site that has two orchid reserves - entrance is free and
it is open all year round.
Good
en-route signage enables the cyclist to join the journey at any
point. One-way day riders can let the train take the strain on the
return leg thanks to convenient stations at Folkestone, Dover and
Canterbury.
The route is 21 miles from Dover to Canterbury, 17 miles from
Canterbury to Folkestone and 12 miles from Folkestone to Dover.
Maps:
More information on cycling in the area:
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