The riders’ route for the North Downs Way stretches for 153 miles through the Surrey Hills and Kent Downs, from Farnham in Surrey to Dover on the Kent coast. It takes in beautiful rolling hills and woodlands, castles and cathedrals, vineyards and breweries. The trail also travels along part of the ancient Via Francigena pilgrimage route.

The original National Trail route could not be cycled from end to end, because sections were on footpaths. Cycling UK worked with the British Horse Society and North Downs Way trail manager to propose an alternative rideable route in 2018.

It links together bridleways, byways and quiet roads to detour from the footpath sections and create a continuous trail. Over the past few years it has been improved thanks to funding from the European Regional Development Fund EXPERIENCE project. The Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) team, which looks after the North Downs Way, has carried out enhancement works to make some sections more accessible for cycling. They have also worked with landowners to refine the line of the riders’ route.

This route makes North Downs Way the latest of England’s National Trails to be fully rideable, since the Pennine Bridleway was officially launched in 2012, and means that three out of the 15 (or 16 if including the England Coast Path) can be ridden by either bike or horse.

The trail provides a wide variety of riding that would suit hardtail mountain bikes and gravel bikes. The Surrey half, with its steep climbs and descents, holloways and narrow wooded tracks is probably best suited to a mountain bike, while the less tumultuous landscape, quiet lanes and gravel tracks of Kent have great potential for swooping along on your gravel bike.

Riding all three stages over a few days can make for a great bikepacking route. Alternatively each stage can be ridden as a day ride very easily, thanks to the extensive transport network in this part of the country and the fact that each stage both starts and finishes near railway stations.

You’ll find many options at the end of each stage in Oxted, Hollingbourne and Dover for your overnight stay. Choose from hotels, guesthouses, hostels or local camping grounds, but make sure you book in advance during the busy summer months.

The trails will be in the best condition during the summer months when it’s much drier. However, if you’re happy to get a bit mucky, this route can be enjoyed year-round. Make the most of the transport links and abundant places to stay and eat to get out there, whatever the weather.

Railway stations in Farnham, Oxted, Hollingbourne and Dover mean that this route is best accessed by train. Each of these are served by lines out of London, so can make for the perfect local weekend escape! Do make sure that you check whether you need to book your bike on the train when you buy your train ticket though, as space can be limited, especially at peak times.

Check out more here: cyclinguk.org/route/north-downs-way-riders-route-map-and-gpx