Virtual North Downs Way Challenge
Walk or run the chalk ridge of Surrey and Kent from your own roads and paths. The North Downs Way runs roughly 203 km (about 126 miles) from Farnham in Surrey east to the Kent coast, crossing the North Downs ridge and finishing at Dover or Canterbury. Route Rally turns every synced walk, run or ride into progress along this long and varied southern England trail.
- Route: North Downs Way
- Distance: 202.6 km
- Elevation gain: 5662 m
- Long chalk ridge and Kent coast route
- Best for: Longer rallies of your own for walkers and runners, and steady multi-week goals
Planning your challenge
A walker averaging 30 km/week finishes in around seven weeks; a runner at 40 km/week takes about five weeks, and a cyclist at 150 km/week completes it in a week and a half.
This is a Medium route by Route Rally distance bands, well suited to a steady multi-week target that keeps walkers and runners progressing.
Works well for walkers and runners in or around London who want a long route with a Dover or Canterbury finish.
Create your own rally for your own North Downs target, solo or with a group sharing one leaderboard.
Why this route
- The North Downs Way follows the chalk ridge from Farnham in Surrey east to the Kent coast, covering about 203 km (126 miles) through Surrey and Kent.
- As a virtual challenge you cover the distance in your own time, with walks, runs and rides from wherever you train all counting towards the coastal finish.
- The route passes through Surrey's wooded hills and the open agricultural Kent landscape, ending near the famous White Cliffs of Dover.
- It shares some of its path with the old Pilgrims' Way to Canterbury, giving it a long historical association with journeys to the coast.
- Its length suits a steady multi-week goal: consistent everyday movement covers the distance towards the sea.
Highlights
- Start at Farnham in Surrey, at the western end of the chalk ridge
- Cross the North Downs through Box Hill, one of Surrey's most popular viewpoints
- Follow the ridge east through the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- Finish near Dover and the White Cliffs on the English Channel coast
Common questions
How does my walking or running count towards Dover?
The sync does the bookkeeping. Anything that reaches Strava or Apple Health is credited to your total and moves you east from Farnham. A walker at 30 km a week reaches the Kent coast in about seven weeks; 50 km a week brings it inside five.
Do I have to be in Surrey or Kent?
No. The ridge sets a target, not a location, so your local roads and weekend walks all move you towards the White Cliffs. Pilgrims once joined part of this line to Canterbury from wherever they had set out; covering it from your own doorstep follows much the same logic.
How long does it take to walk the North Downs Way?
At 30 km a week you finish in around seven weeks. Build to 50 km a week and you reach the Kent coast in about four. The end date is chosen by you at setup.
How does the North Downs Way compare to the South Downs Way?
They are similar in length, both follow chalk ridges, and both finish near the coast. The North Downs Way is generally considered more varied, running through woodland as well as open downland, and takes you further from London into Kent.
Start your North Downs Way Conquest
Joining is free. Connect Strava or Apple Health once and every ride, run or walk you record syncs automatically, moving you along the route without anything else to log.