The AONB is well served by an extensive network of Public Rights of Way and permissive access routes – offering a variety of walks for everyone. You’ll be amazed at what you’ll discover when you leave the roads behind.

Visit Explore Kent and create your own routes using the interactive map, or download “Walks in Kent”, a selection of circular routes. Free packs containing details of these routes can be obtained by calling the AONB Unit on 01303 815170.

In conjunction with DEFRA, the Kent Downs AONB Unit has produced a series of walks entitled “Explore”, circular routes using permissive access and public rights of way. Discover parklands, woodlands and chalk grassland, cobnuts, farmland, wildlife and history. Call the AONB Unit to request your copies.

The North Downs Way is a national trail (142 miles, 227.2 km) starting at Farnham in Surrey and finishing at Dover, which takes in some of the finest aspects of the Kent Downs. When not on top of the scarp the route follows the Pilgrims Way - the legendary route that may have been used by Pilgrims on their way to Canterbury. There are many cicrcular walks accessible from the trail such as the Lost Landscapes Heritage Circular Walks, helping you to discover the local landscape, heritage and history in Detling, Hollingbourne, Charing, Chilham and Chartham.  Call 01622 221525 for details or use the link to their website.

The Kentish Stour Countryside Project has produced a series of leaflets called Train Rides to Ramble, featuring a number of circular walks from downland railway stations such as Wye, Chilham and Charing. You can purchase these booklets through Kent County Council.

Explore and understand the farmed countryside through DEFRA’s “Conservation Walks and Rides in Kent”.Site maps can be downloaded from the DEFRA website. Another way to learn about our farmed landscape is to attend the Kent Downs summer Farm Walks which you will find listed on our Events page.

A series of walks in and around the Kent Downs have been compiled by Tracks in Kent, details of which are available on their website, with maps. Please note that these walks have not been assessed or endorsed by Kent County Council and you undertake them at your own risk.

Great walking is to be found in the Favershan area. Go to the Faversham website for details of their newly developed circular walks, taking in areas such as Doddington and Newnham, Otterden, Stalisfield and Eastling. You can request a copy of their full walk pack on line, together with details of special offers to be found en route.

Walking Holidays
For those wanting to take their time walking through the Downs, and with the luxury of having your luggage transported between your accommodation, there are two tour operators organising walking holidays in the area. Go to Orchard Trails and WalkAwhile Holidays for ideas and information.

Village Footpath Groups
If spending some time in our downland villages, try hooking up with a local village footpath group. The Wye Footpaths Group welcomes visitors to join them on walks through the village and explore surrounding downland. Call the Group's Chairman, Alan Ramsey on 01233 813730 for information. For those living in the Swale area, you could join the Swale Footpaths Group. Walks are held on Sundays, some Thursdays and on summer evenings.

Healthy Walking
The Walking the Way to Health Iniitiative (WHI) aims to get more people walking in their own communities. It is an initiative of the British Heart Foundation and Countryside Agency. WHI has helped to create over 350 local health walk schemes and has trained over 20,000 volunteer walk leaders. Walking the way to Health has an East Kent branch. Click here for details of their 2006 programme.

Public Rights of Way

In the majority of cases, Public Rights of Way are indicated where they leave Public Roads by signstones or fingerposts. The signing indicates the status of the right of way and the general direction that it takes. Usually there is additional signing along the route (waymarking), although it is always helpful to carry a map of the area.

Waymarking is most often carried out using coloured arrows:

Footpath for pedestrians

Bridleway for pedestrians, equestrians and cyclists

Byway, open to All Traffic, for pedestrians, equestrians, cyclists and motor vehicles

The following Ordnance Survey maps cover the Kent Downs AONB:

Explorer Series, scale 1:25,000

Explorer 137 – Ashford

Explorer 138 – Dover, Folkestone & Hythe
Explorer 147 – Sevenoaks & Tonbridge
Explorer 148 – Maidstone and the Medway Towns
Explorer 149 – Sittingbourne and Faversham
Explorer 150 – Canterbury and Isle of Thanet
Explorer 163 – Gravesend & Rochester

Click here to buy these maps at the Kent County Council Website.