Best walks to or from Chartham

Chartham Station to Canterbury East Station

really beautiful route. A flat, level riverside walk along the Great Stour on good surfaces of tarmac, sand, gravel and compacted aggregate, with a series of nature reserves, fishing lakes and a park alongside. Largely traffic-free and accessible, though kissing gates with cattle grids may need assistance and the riverside can flood after heavy rain. Follows the Stour Valley Walk and National Cycle Route 18 for almost its whole length. Abundant birdlife including ducks, swans and the occasional kingfisher. Public toilets at both ends.

Easy: 6km, gentle ascents.

Liable to flooding after heavy rain or when river levels are high; in a wet winter wellies may be needed.

Highlights: Canterbury Cathedral.

Westgate Gardens brings you out at the foot of Canterbury's main pedestrian street, with numerous cafes and tea rooms.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Ashford International Station to Chartham Station

good views of the North Downs and Wye Crown. Flat, easy walking that largely follows the Stour Valley through the flood plain, on field paths and tracks through arable land, pasture and woodland, with some lane walking. A stile, several kissing gates and uneven woodland ground and a couple of steep paths restrict access for some. Can be very waterlogged in wet spells. Follows much of the Stour Valley Walk via Wye, Crundale, Godmersham and Chilham. Can be split at Wye, Chilham or Chartham, which all have stations with an hourly service.

Tough: 23km. Moderate ascents.

Navigation across the large, flat fields south of Wye can be difficult when a new crop has germinated and no path has been worn. A couple of fallen trees have required temporary diversions.

Lunch: Pubs and toilets at Wye, Chilham and Chartham; food stores at Ashford and Wye.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route

Faversham Station to Chartham Station

Field and footpath sections leading to a crossing of the A299 and but many paths on the route are blocked.

13km. Moderate ascents.

The paths leading to the A299 crossing are blocked, and even if you force through you end up crossing the A299 near a summit that conceals cars approaching at 70mph or more; do not attempt it. Many paths on this route are unsafe or entirely blocked.

Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route