Guidance

North Downs Way: National Trail

Published 24 June 2026

Applies to England

The North Downs Way is a 153-mile (246km) National Trail in South East England through coast and countryside, with easy access from London. It goes from Farnham in Surrey to Canterbury and then the White Cliffs of Dover in Kent.

The trail passes through 2 National Landscapes: the Surrey Hills and the Kent Downs. The trail also follows the Pilgrims’ Way from Winchester to Canterbury.

The trail is open to cyclists and horse riders on the North Downs Way rider’s route.

About the trail

The trail goes between:

• Farnham, Surrey
• Dover, Kent

You can choose to walk the entire trail, a specific section or two, or find local circular walks that follow some of the trail.

You can find circular and linear walks on the National Trails website.

When to visit

The trail is open all year.

Some sections can become muddy in wet weather.

Signposts on the trail

All National Trails are signed with an acorn symbol or the trail name. You’ll see these along the trail, for example on gates and signposts.

Walking the whole trail

• Length: 153 miles (246km)
• Time to complete: around 12 days

You can walk the trail in either direction. Signposts show the route in both directions so you can choose. Historically, pilgrims would walk from west to east.

If you’re arriving into the UK on the Kent coast, you may want to walk from east to west.

Accessibility on the trail

Much of the trail is on relatively level ground, but it has steep ascents and descents in places. The section from Guildford to Reigate has a number of hills and may be more challenging.

You can find out more about:

• wheelchair accessible routes in the Kent Downs National Landscape
• short, stile free routes in the Surry Hills National Landscape
• changing places toilets in the Kent Downs National Landscape

You can also follow the North Downs Way and see what the trail looks like on Google Street View.

What you can experience on the trail

There are many things you can experience on the North Downs Way, including:

• wildlife – such as rare orchid species and aquatic birds over the salt marshes
• historic and heritage sites – such as Leeds Castle, Dover Castle, Kit’s Coty and Canterbury Cathedral
• nature reserves – such as Runfold Wood, Kemsing Down and Wye
• walking over the White Cliffs of Dover
• local culture, food and entertainment

On the trail you can also visit cities, towns and small villages, including:

• Wye
• Canterbury
• Charing village
• Chilham

Sections of the trail

You can break the trail into sections that you can walk in a day, or that give you time to visit specific things on or near the trail.    

There’s an example below, but you can find more information online and in guidebooks to help plan your route.

Farnham to Guildford – 11 miles (17.7km)

The North Downs Way goes east from Farnham, joining the Pilgrims Way. The trail passes Runfold Wood Nature Reserve and the village of Puttenham.

Guildford to Dorking – 13 miles (21km)

The trail leaves the Pilgrims Way, heading on to the chalk of the North Downs. There are views of the Greensand Ridge, the High Weald and the South Downs.

Dorking to Merstham – 10 miles (16km)

The trail crosses stepping stones over the River Mole and goes steeply up Box Hill. It rejoins the Pilgrim’s Way before climbing again to Colley Hill. There are viewing platforms of Box Hill, Colley Hill and Reigate Hill.

Merstham to Oxted – 8 miles (12.8km)

From Merstham the trail climbs steadily up the ridge and across high farmland to Whitehill Tower.

Oxted to Otford – 11.8 miles (18.9km)

There are steep climbs on this section of the trail. The trail goes into Kent, and then travels on through the Kent Downs National Landscape.

Otford to Cuxton – 15 miles (24.1km)

The trail follows the historic Pilgrims Way and the top of the Downs.

Along this section the trail passes through the Kemsing Down Nature Reserve and Trosley Country Park, which is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Cuxton to Detling – 12.5 miles (20.1km)

The trail crosses the River Medway and continues to Kit’s Coty, a Neolithic burial chamber of the Celtic Catigem.

Detling to Lenham – 9.3 miles (14.9km)

This section of the trail follows both the ridge and the Pilgrims Way of the lower down. The trail goes through grassland and woodland in White Horse Wood Country Park.

Lenham to Wye – 11.1 miles (17.9km)

After this section of the trail, there are 2 routes you can choose from.

If you want to follow the Pilgrim’s Trail, you can leave the trail after Boughton Lees. The trail continues on to Chilham and follows the Canterbury Loop.

1. The Canterbury Loop: follow the trail to Dover through Canterbury (14.8 miles, 23.8km)

Wye to Chilham – 7 miles (11km)

Much of this section goes through The King’s Wood, before there’s a first sight of Canterbury Cathedral.

Chilham to Canterbury – 7.2 miles (11.6km)

The trail goes from Chilham and towards Canterbury, where it reaches Canterbury Cathedral.

Canterbury to Shepherdswell – 10.4 miles (16.7km) on The Via Francigena

The trail joins the Via Francigena, which follows the North Downs Way to Dover, before it crosses to mainland Europe.

On this section, the trail goes along the Elham Valley Way through farming landscape, small villages and past Higham Park.

Shepherdswell to Dover – 8.5 miles (13.7km) on The Via Francigena

This final approach to Dover is a gentle amble through countryside. The trail meets the White Cliffs Country Trail, which goes across the iconic White Cliffs and into the final descent to the start (or finish) line on the Dover Sea Front.

2. Mainline route to Dover: following the Heritage Coast

Wye to Folkestone – 15.2 miles (24.4km)

There are steep climbs along this section of the trail. The first ascent goes to the Wye Crown.

On the way to Folkestone the trail passes the Wye National Nature Reserve. The trail comes out above the Channel Tunnel terminal, with views across Folkestone to the English Channel.

Folkestone to Dover – 8.5 miles (13.5km)

The trail goes along the top of a section of heritage coast. It then goes down into Dover, crossing the top of Shakespeare Cliff, with views of Dover Castle and the harbour.

Maps for the trail

You can find:   

• a map on the National Trails website – you can also download GPX data  
• other maps and guidebooks online and in print 
• circular and linear walks online and from the local council

You can find more information about the North Downs Way and the Pilgrims Way on the Kent Downs National Landscape website.

The Ordnance Survey (OS) Explorer maps that cover the North Downs Way are:   

• 137 Ashford
• 138 Dover, Folkestone and Hythe
• 145 Guildford and Farnham
• 146 Dorking, Box Hill and Reigate
• 147 Sevenoaks and Tonbridge
• 148 Maidstone and the Medway Towns
• 149 Sittingbourne and Faversham
• 150 Canterbury and the Isle of Thanet

Diversions or closures on the trail

If there are any diversions or closures of sections of the trail, these will be clearly signposted. You should always follow the signposts on the trail.

Prepare for your visit

Read guidance on how to prepare for your visit for information on: 

• checking the route – including for diversions or closures 
• planning your trip 
• what to prepare before you set off 
• what to do on the trail

Contact

Use the relevant National Trails online form to:

• report a problem
• ask a question about accessibility on the trail
• find out about volunteering opportunities

Contact the local council to report a problem on a public right of way, for example obstructions, poor maintenance or a misleading sign.