The London-based hiking group for people in their 20s - 30s.
Stuart B.
For anyone who wishes to smugly say 'I did a marathon' when asked what they did at the weekend, this is the walk for you; a figure of eight 26.5 mile hilly power walk around the bucolic Greensand Ridge either side of Sevenoaks.
Bring a packed lunch as well as plenty of snacks and water. The main 'lunch stop' itself will be at Knole Park, which is a mere 16.5 miles into the walk, but there will also be generous mini stops at Emmetts Garden (approx 6 miles distance), Stubbs Wood (approx 10 miles distance) and Ightham Mote (approx 21 miles distance). All (except Stubbs Wood) have cafes and toilets, and there will be enough time to buy drinks / snacks from these. There will also be plenty of brief pauses to regroup when required, especially if it is a hot day.
OPTIONAL 'STANDARD STRENUOUS' VERSION: with the lunch break at 16.5 miles distance and plenty of ascent covered by then, this in itself is a very respectable strenuous walk, and Knole Park is right next to Sevenoaks Town Centre.
The entire walk has a total ascent of 1,200 metres and will be taken at a fast pace (3 - 3.5 mph), so a good level of fitness is required whether walking the shorter version or the full version.
Plenty of pubs and restaurants in Sevenoaks Town Centre to choose from at the end of either length walk for a well earned drink.
Travel: Take the 9:34 from London Charing Cross (Waterloo East: 9:37, London Bridge: 9:43) arrive at Sevenoaks at 10:07.
When there are issues with the trains, services often start at London Bridge, so it is recommended to get the train from there if possible.
For those travelling from within the London Travelcard Zone, Contactless (but not Oyster) can be used at Sevenoaks, but will not include any railcard discounts. Otherwise please buy a return to Sevenoaks.
Meet just inside the main entrance of Sevenoaks Railway Station - just past the ticket offices.
Sevenoaks Station
