🥾 Elham Valley Walk – Long Distance Challenge 23miles 🥾
Fancy a challenge this year?!
The Elham Valley Way leads from the medieval cathedral city of Canterbury, down to the popular coastal town of Hythe, taking us through beautiful countryside and the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We will walk through secret byways, unspoilt villages and woodland as the day progresses. There is even a trig to bag along the way.
Elham Valley Walking Trail
The Elham Valley Walking Trail is a picturesque 23 mile (36 km) scenic trail which follows the route of the former Elham Valley Railway, offering a peaceful journey through rolling countryside, ancient woodlands, chalk downland, and charming rural villages. As you head away from Canterbury you can walk miles on this path without seeing anyone!
Ideal for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike, the trail passes through a diverse landscape rich in wildlife, with opportunities to spot rare birds, butterflies, and wildflowers. We will pass traditional Kentish villages such as Barham, Elham, and Lyminge.
With panoramic views across the valley, tranquil farmland paths, and the occasional sight of the sea as we approach Hythe, this trail offers a quintessential English countryside experience.
Highlights:
Historic start in Canterbury with its UNESCO-listed cathedral
Village of Elham – a perfect rest stop!
Lyminge Forest – serene woodlands and Iron Age archaeology
End point in Hythe – enjoy the seafront after a day on your feet.
We aim to finish in Hythe at approximately 6:30pm. The sea front is right at the finish line, feel free to cool off and dip your feet in the sea at the end.
This is a linear walk and we will set up a Whatsapp group nearer the time to arrange car shares if required. If not Canterbury has 2 train stations and multiple bus routes. Hythe has a regular bus timetable and the nearest train station is the neighbouring Folkestone.
📅 Date: Sunday 7th September
⏰ Time: 8am
£ Cost: £20 per person (including full support before with a finishers medal)
📍 Location: Canterbury Cathedral (Full details in the booking confirmation email)
🌄 Terrain: Woodlands, cobbled streets, paved paths, fields. 3 ascents during the day.
🍽️ Food & Drink: Please ensure you have all food you will need and enough water for this walk. We’d recommend a minimum of 2L. Please bring your main meals.
🚽 Toilets: Toilets will be mainly nature breaks. We will be passing through villages but there is no guarantee of the public toilets being open.
🐕 Dogs: Well behaved on lead dogs are able to attend this event. Please be cautious of the distance if this is something your dog isn't used to.
** PLEASE READ**
- Please ensure you bring all personal medication you could require.
- Water and food is essential to any walking / hiking trip
- Please bring waterproof clothing and suitable footwear.
- If this is your first walk with us please complete the PAR-Q form beforehand
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