| Although Kent is known as the Garden of England, | | | | personal tastes. |
| which suggests a somewhat pastoral place with | | | | The Saxon Shore Way |
| limited appeal for serious hikers, it is actually home | | | | The cross-country route through the Kent Downs |
| to a number of excellent hiking trails and stunning | | | | is beautiful, but some desire to be beside the sea |
| vistas to enjoy. If you are looking for some new | | | | for fresh winds and arresting backdrops. The |
| challenges in new locations, then read on to find | | | | Saxon Shore Way is a 163 mile jaunt between |
| out a little about many hiking delights that Kent | | | | Gravesend and Hastings in East Sussex. It tracks |
| has to offer. | | | | along the coast, following the ancient path taken |
| The Kent Downs | | | | by settlers and natives during the Roman |
| About 25 per cent of Kent is covered by the | | | | occupation of Britain and, as such, weaves its |
| Kent Downs, with a diverse landscape running | | | | way through various historical landmarks and |
| from Dover right to the margins of London and | | | | areas. This includes a total of four forts |
| Surrey. It has been a designated area of natural | | | | constructed by the Roman invaders. |
| beauty for over four decades and hiking through | | | | The Saxon Shore Way was opened 30 years |
| it is a treat for all of the senses. It contains the | | | | ago, but it has been well maintained and |
| types of habitat for which Britain is famous, | | | | intermittently rejuvenated, with extensions and |
| including established woodlands, open planes and, | | | | alterations to the route. The Romans had been |
| perhaps the most quintessential of English | | | | having problems with Saxon invaders and thus |
| countryside features, extensive hedgerows | | | | built strong defences along the Kentish coastline in |
| teeming with flourishing wildlife. | | | | order to repel any assault from the sea. The |
| It is possible to hike for 153 miles through the | | | | route offers excellent views and encompasses a |
| Kent Downs, beginning in Farnham and ending at | | | | number of key areas packed with wildlife. |
| the White Cliffs of Dover. If you are not looking | | | | Brockhill Country Park |
| for a full hiking route, then there are hundreds of | | | | If you have a family and are looking for rather |
| smaller paths that lead in loops around the main | | | | less strenuous venues in Kent in which to go |
| track. Historic villages, points of interest and | | | | walking, then this is one of the many preserved |
| thriving market towns litter the Kentish landscape | | | | areas which will allow you to get out in the open |
| and particularly keen historians will know that part | | | | without having to commit to a long hike. Brockhill |
| of the Pilgrims Way, which was used by | | | | Country park offers a variety of routes lasting |
| worshippers hundreds of years ago, is integrated | | | | less than an hour. It also boasts a lake complete |
| into this route. If you fancy giving your legs a | | | | with islands and is a perfect hub from which to |
| rest there are also interconnecting bridle paths | | | | access other local hiking routes. |
| and cycle routes to enjoy, depending on your | | | | |