5 family-friendly cycle routes to try in Kent this spring
The weather is finally starting to brighten up, and many of us are itching to get back in the great outdoors after months of grey skies.
A great way to explore the county at this time of year is by bike, with plenty of routes perfect for cyclists of all ages. We’ve got five family-friendly trails that will take you and your kids from coast to countryside this spring…
CRAB AND WINKLE WAY, Canterbury to Whitstable
With 7.5 miles of almost traffic-free cycling, this a great route to try out with the kids when they start to feel a little more adventurous. This historic path takes its name from the first railway line to be built in the country and follows the same route, taking riders from the bustling city of Canterbury, through the village of Blean and Clowes Wood, to the outskirts of Whitstable, one of Kent’s most-visited seaside towns. Find out more here.
HERON TRAIL, Higham
Start your journey from Higham Station and set off on a 15.5-mile adventure around Medway’s Hoo Peninsula. The area has fascinating connections to novelist Charles Dickens and boasts plenty of things to see, including the RSPB Northward Hill Reserve, where you can find the UK’s largest heronry, and the 19th century Cliffe Fort, which was built to protect the River Thames. Find out more here.
ROYAL MILITARY CANAL, Hythe
A large stretch of this 12-mile cycle route is ideal for families as it’s off-road and mostly follows Hythe’s 19th-century canal. The canal, originally built as a third line of defence against Napoleon in the early 1800s, offers a relaxing, fairly flat path for cyclists that takes you past the town’s medieval buildings, Norman church and seafront promenade. Find out more here.
SHEERNESS WAY
If you’re looking for something that won’t take all day but still gives your kids a chance to stretch their legs, the Sheerness Way cycle route could be just the ticket. If you’ve got strong cyclists, it can be completed in around an hour as the 6-mile circular route is almost completely flat. You can make more of a day of it by stopping off for lunch at Barton’s Point Coastal Park or seeing whether you can spot the SS Richard Montgomery shipwreck just off the coast of Sheerness. Find out more here.
VIKING COASTAL TRAIL, Thanet
If you get the weather for it, this beautiful route captures fantastic views of the Thanet coastline. It’s 32 miles, so it's not for the faint of heart, but along the way you can admire the sandy shores of Joss Bay, Botany Bay and Minnis Bay. You can also spot some historical landmarks, including Minster Abbey and Reculver Church, and pull up for stroll around the 16-acre Monkton Nature Reserve. Find out more here.
For more cycle routes, visit Explore Kent where you can find a full list of cycle trails all over the county.
