The North Downs Way Riders’ Route crosses southern England from Farnham to Dover, following a landscape of wooded hills, historic routes and Kent countryside. Developed by Cycling UK with the British Horse Society and the trail manager, it connects paths and roads available to riders where the walking National Trail uses footpaths.
A route made for riders
The walking National Trail cannot simply be followed from end to end by bike: some of its sections are footpaths. Cycling UK, the British Horse Society and the North Downs Way trail manager therefore developed an alternative that joins bridleways, byways and quiet roads, bypassing those sections while retaining the character of the wider trail.
The route was proposed in 2018 and subsequently refined. Cycling UK reports that the Kent Downs EXPERIENCE team worked with Kent and Surrey county councils and landowners on improvements and adjustments to the riders’ line. The itinerary is also intended for horse riders, so expect to share parts of the journey with other trail users.
From the Surrey Hills to the Kent coast
Farnham is the Surrey end of the journey; Dover lies at the opposite end on the Kent coast. Between them the route crosses the Surrey Hills and Kent Downs, combining rolling hills and woodland with historic landscapes. Cycling UK notes castles, cathedrals, vineyards and breweries along the wider itinerary, as well as a section of the historic Via Francigena pilgrimage route.
Explore Kent presents the Riders’ Route in sections, including Farnham to Oxted and Oxted to Wye. Its East Kent itinerary includes Canterbury and Dover, with an alternative between Wye and Canterbury and an optional Rochester loop. These choices give riders scope to focus on one area or build a longer trip.
Terrain and trip planning
The route mixes off-road riding with quieter roads. Explore Kent describes the Surrey half as the more rugged part, with steep climbs, descents, holloways and narrow wooded tracks; in Kent it highlights quieter lanes and gravel tracks. Mud can add difficulty in winter. A mountain bike is suggested for the more demanding Surrey terrain, while a gravel bike is an option for the gentler Kent sections.
For planning, use the current Riders’ Route information rather than assuming that every path marked as the North Downs Way is open to bicycles. Explore Kent provides an overview and links to the full itinerary and individual sections. It also identifies accommodation, nearby railway stations and Cycling UK-accredited Cycle Friendly Places as resources for dividing the ride into shorter outings.