Chalk hills, woodland ridges, and a steady crossing of southern England
The North Downs Way is a long-distance self-guided walking route across southern England, linking the chalk routes, landscapes, and places of Surrey and Kent between Farnham, Guildford, Canterbury, and the White Cliffs of Dover. Following the crest of the North Downs through the Surrey Hills National Landscape and Kent Downs National Landscape, it traces a continuous line of high ground above fields, valleys, and historic settlements.
Walking here is defined by rhythm rather than effort. The terrain rises and falls gently along chalk ridges and wooded escarpments, with well-defined tracks, bridleways, and old drove roads allowing steady progress. Long stretches feel enclosed by trees or hedgerows, before opening suddenly onto wide views across the Weald or toward the Channel.
The character of the landscape shifts gradually as the trail moves east. Around Farnham and Guildford, woodland and farmland dominate, with quiet lanes linking villages and commons. Further into Kent, the ridge broadens into open downland and orchards, passing vineyards, hop gardens, and historic towns shaped by centuries of farming and trade.
History runs alongside the route throughout. Sections follow ancient trackways and pilgrimage paths that once guided travellers toward Canterbury Cathedral, while hillforts, churches, and old coaching towns appear at intervals along the ridge. The trail often feels less like a designed route and more like a natural corridor through long-settled countryside.
The final stages approach the sea, where chalk grassland gives way to cliff-edge paths above the English Channel. The descent to Dover, with wide coastal views and the White Cliffs ahead, provides a clear and memorable finish.
For many walkers, the appeal of the North Downs Way lies in its continuity — a steady, human-scale journey across southern England, shaped by ridge walking, changing light, and the slow connection between towns and countryside.
Trail Overview
Distance
153 miles / 246 km
Typical time on foot
10–12 days (often walked in sections)
Start
Farnham, Surrey
Finish
Dover, Kent (with optional Canterbury loop)
Terrain
Chalk ridge paths, woodland tracks, farmland, dry valleys, village lanes, and clifftop sections
