Best walks near Folkestone by train
Kent · South East England | Walks by foot
Stations: Folkestone West · Folkestone Central
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations in South East England and plan your next day of green.
Margate Station to Broadstairs Station (Kent)
1h from Folkestone Central, with one change.
11km. Moderate ascents. 3h–5h.
Beginner-friendly: Just keep the sea on your left and follow it to Broadstairs.
Very popular and busy.
Highlights: Margate and Broadstairs.
Lunch stop: the Captain Digby (1h30–2h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Tartar Frigate, the Neptune's Hall, Siam Kitchen, the Magnet Micropub, or the Prince Albert.
Buying train tickets: Buy a return ticket to Margate (it’s fine to embark at Broadstairs for the return journey, because Broadstairs is en route to Margate).
Ramsgate Station to Margate Station (Kent)
45m direct from Folkestone Central.
16km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–7h30.
Low chalk cliffs, sandy bays and coves, cliff-top grassland, seaside promenades, and historic coastal towns. Very popular and busy. Check tide timings.
Highlights: Margate and Broadstairs.
Lunch stops: the Royal Victoria Pavilion (30m–1h in), or Forts Café (1h30–3h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Mechanical Elephant, or the Cinque Ports.
Charing Station to Chilham Station (Kent)
30m from Folkestone West, with one change.
Tough: 21km. Moderate ascents. 4h30–8h.
A rambler favourite! Penultimate section of the Pilgrim's Way to Canterbury.
Highlights: Canterbury and Chilham.
Lunch stops: the Flying Horse (2h–3h in), or Perry Court Tea Room (2h–3h in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Chilham Square, the White Horse, Chilham, or the Woolpack Inn, Chilham.
Chilham Station to Canterbury East Station (Kent)
30m from Folkestone West, with one change.
14km. Moderate ascents. 3h–5h.
A rambler favourite!
Highlights: Chilham, Canterbury Cathedral, and Canterbury itself.
Lunch stops in Chilham (30m–1h in): the Chilham Square, or the Star Inn.
End-of-walk rewards: the Monument, the Unicorn Inn, the West Gate Inn, the Carpenters Arms, or the Old Buttermarket.
Winchelsea Station to Hastings Station (Sussex)
45m from Folkestone West, with one change.
Tough: steep ascents. 18km. 4h–7h.
A rambler favourite!
Highlights: Hastings.
Lunch stops: the New Beach Club (1h30–2h30 in), or the Cove (2h–3h30 in).
End-of-walk rewards: the Jolly Fisherman, the Lord Nelson, the Royal Standard, the London Trader, the Hastings Arms, Ye Olde Pumphouse, the Cutter, or the Albion.
Stratford Station to Stratford International Station (Essex)
45m direct from Folkestone West.
Easy: 0km, moderate ascents. 30m.
Documented by Railwalks — download GPX route
Dover Priory Station to Deal Station (Kent)
15m direct from Folkestone Central.
17km.
A rambler favourite! Clifftop chalk paths, two significant climbs, level pebble beach coastpath, open sea views, and historic town. Mobile may switch networks.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Hastings Station to Rye Station (Sussex)
45m from Folkestone West, with one change.
19km. 6h.
A rambler favourite! Clifftop coastal path, steep climbs, remote naturist beach, flat marshland, ancient hilltop towns, and panoramic viewpoints. Crumbly cliff edges.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Yalding Station to Sevenoaks Station (Kent)
1h from Folkestone West, with one change.
21km.
A rambler favourite! Undulating Kent farmland, orchards, bluebell woods, greensand escarpment, and deer park. Waymarking can disappear.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Sandling Station to Wye Station (Kent)
5m direct from Folkestone West.
20km.
North Downs escarpment ridge, open downland, woods, sloping fields, and fine views over Kent coast. Can be muddy.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Pluckley Station to Ashford International Station (Kent)
15m direct from Folkestone West.
16km.
Pastures, orchards, woods, commons, bogs, parkland estate, and riverside parks into a town centre.
Documented by the Saturday Walkers Club.
Wye Station Circular via Crown Memorial (Kent)
30m from Folkestone West, with one change.
17km. 5h.
North Downs escarpments, chalk downland, beech and chestnut woods, open fields, riverbank along Great Stour, churchyard, and farmland. Can be muddy.