The Viking Coastal Trail
Whether you are an experienced cyclist
or a novice, you will find plenty to enjoy along the 27 mile
(43.5km) route on the Isle of Thanet, where Vikings first landed in
Britain in 449AD.
Maps:
The inland loop is on quiet lanes, taking in pretty Kentish
villages with ancient churches such as St. Nicholas at Wade and
passing Minster
Abbey, one of England's oldest inhabited buildings founded in
670AD.
A short detour leads you to the 16 acre
Monkton Nature Reserve, an
important resource for the protection of wild flowers, including
rare orchids.
At Ramsgate, the splendid Pugin Victorian church of St.
Augustine's Abbey is worth a visit, or enjoy a rest at one of the
many cafes overlooking the harbour and marina. Ramsgate Maritime
Museum is closed until further notice.
If you do not want to undertake the whole route, try the 9 mile
(almost traffic-free) stretch that follows the sea wall from
Margate to Reculver via Westgate-on-Sea and Birchington, Kent's
largest village.
You can join this well-signed route directly opposite Margate
train station. Along the sea wall you will find plenty of
diversions, with slopes and steps to the cliff tops and down to the
popular beaches and rock pools.
The on-road
section takes you along the cliff from Westgate-on-Sea to Epple Bay
where you rejoin the sea wall.
As you cycle from Broadstairs to Margate you pass Kent’s most
established surfing school at Joss Bay, see the picturesque Botany
Bay with its chalk stack and marvel at the new Turner Contemporary
art gallery overlooking Margate Harbour.
Minnis Bay is popular with swimmers, as well as sailors,
windsurfers and sea canoeists.
From here, the scenery changes with striking views of the flat
marshland as you approach the twin towers of Reculver Church, a few
miles east of Herne Bay.
To find out more about the area including attractions,
accommodation and events visit the Thanet Tourism Website.
More information on cycling in the area:
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