Isle of Harty Trail
Isle of Harty Trail at Leysdown 5.9miles (9.5km).
Enjoy a day away from it all with the breeze in your hair
and the wind at your heels. The Isle of Sheppey has some exciting
new, mainly traffic-free, cycle routes that offer fun, low cost
family days out. The Isle of Harty Trail and the Sheerness Way are
flat, circular and perfect for families. They are mainly traffic
free but with some sections on road. At a moderate speed they can
be completed comfortably in under an hour, depending on your
fitness, but with young children it will take longer. Why not stop
along the way to enjoy the local attractions or spend a whole day
exploring the area?
Leysdown is a small but lively seaside resort, with a lovely
sand and shell beach - perfect for families. At the beginning of
the 20th century the American Wright Brothers, pioneers of early
flight, made the Isle of Sheppey a focal point of British aviation.
They commissioned the Short brothers, who had already set up a
factory on land between Leysdown and Shellness, to build aeroplanes
to fly at Eastchurch. Nearby Muswell Manor was the headquarters for
the early aviators and subsequently became the base for the Royal
Aero Club of Great Britain. The first pilot’s licence was issued
here. Today the Grade II listed building is a popular holiday
centre.
Continue on to the Isle of Harty; once an Island separated by up
to a mile of water! Go inside the 900 year old Harty Church to
admire the Flemish Kist (a 14th century wooden chest), carved with
two jousting knights and brought in on one of these tides. Close by
is The Ferry House Inn near to the Ferry Landing where, until 1947,
a regular ferry crossed to the mainland. For unrivalled wildlife
visit the internationally important Swale National Nature Reserve
adjoining the estuary.
Further inland stop at the RSPB 'Raptor View Point', a premier
site for birds of prey and watch Marsh Harriers swooping over the
reed beds between April and October.
Isle of Harty Trail: The Isle of Harty Trail is mostly off-road,
the path is largely tarmac or concrete with sections of rolled
gravel. When off-road do expect pot holes and small cracks. Routes
go through working farms and so occasional farm traffic should be
expected. Take care on the road.
Back to top