The London-based hiking group for people in their 20s - 30s.
Stuart B.
A fast paced, hilly fitness walk that follows the North Downs ridge from the Medway Valley to the Darent Valley, with constant great views of both. Starting at the historic town of West Malling, the first few miles are relatively flat until reaching the ridge on the western side of the Medway Valley, and the walk then ascends and descends the ridge until the Darent Valley, after that it then passes down across the Valley and climbs the ridge on the other side before then ending at The Rising Sun pub in the village of Twitton for a well deserved drink. Otford Railway Station is then a straight forward walk along paved roads for a further mile (included in total distance). Plenty of the uphill and downhill sections are quite steep, with a total ascent of 1200 metres.
Bring a packed lunch and plenty of water. The main lunch stop will be at Trosley Country Park at 9 miles distance where there is a cafe and toilets.
OPTIONAL DROP OUT POINT: For anyone who would like the challenge of a fast paced walk with a few steep climbs, but a much shorter distance, at the 11 mile point (and 600 metre ascent already done) the walk arrives at the village of Wrotham (which has a couple of pubs), and from there Borough Green and Wrotham Railway Station (which is on the same line as the start and and end points) is a straightforward 1 mile walk along paved roads.
Transport: Take the 9:29 from London Charing Cross (Waterloo East 9:32, London Bridge 9:38), arrive at West Malling at 10:22. Meet just outside the main entrance at West Malling Railway Station.
Buy a return to West Malling.
West Malling Station
Otford
