Walks from Folkestone
MapSet out on beautiful walks that start or end at the centre of Folkestone.
Alternatively, view walks near Folkestone by train.
Folkestone Central to Dover Priory
Highly recommended: Coastal cliffs, chalk downland, sea defences, wild landslip area, wartime installations, ridge between valley and sea and town crossing.
Hilly: a third on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.
Coastal: four fifths along the coast.
Woodland: a quarter under tree cover.
Time: 4h–8h30
1 lunch spot: Camping Café (1h–2h30 in)
2 end-of-walk rewards: the Malvern, or the Priory Hotel
Warnings: Cracked sea defences.
Source: Trains2Green.
Similar walks: the Saturday Walkers Club and Slow Ways (inc. GPX).
Sandling to Folkestone Central
Highly recommended: Chalky escarpment ridge, steep climbs, open downland with Channel views, cliff top promenade, shingle beach and historic harbour.
Hilly: two fifths on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.
Time: 5h30–10h30
1 lunch spot: the Gatekeeper Inn (1h30–3h in)
3 end-of-walk rewards: Valiant Sailor, the Lord Morris, or the Park Inn
Warnings: Steep climbs near start.
Source: Trains2Green.
Similar walk: the Saturday Walkers Club.
Folkestone Central Circular via Castle Hill
Highly recommended: Verdant coastal cliffs, rolling hills and suburban streets.
Hilly: a third on high ground, rising above the surrounding land.
Coastal: three fifths along the coast.
Time: 5h–9h30
2 lunch spots: Capel-le-Ferne (3h–5h30 in) — Cliff Top Café, or the Royal Oak
7 end-of-walk rewards: the Royal George, the Harbour Inn, the Kipps' Alehouse, the Samuel Peto, the Pullman, the East Kent Arms, or the Lord Morris
Warnings: Begins, necessarily, with a lengthy suburban segment, but then becomes very beautiful and surprisingly quiet. Particularly lovely on the walk along the cliffs east of Folkestone, where there are also a number of lunch spot choices. The narrow overgrown paths are best. But note that there is a LOT of steep ascents and descents on this walk.
Source: Trains2Green.
Sandling to Folkestone Central
Disused railway trackbed, orchards, fields, open downland, ridge with sea views, shingle beach, traffic-free seafront promenade and cliff gardens.
Warnings: Two steep hill climbs.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Folkestone Central Circular
Coastal seafront, Folkestone Warren sea defences, steep cliff climb and cliff-top return with Channel views.
Warnings: Cracked sea defences.
Source: A shorter variant of Folkestone to Dover – the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Folkestone Central to Dover Priory
Cliff-top path, panoramic Channel views, wartime installations and chalk downland.
Source: An alternative variant of Folkestone to Dover – the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Sandling to Folkestone Central
Escarpment ridge, steep climbs, open downland, White Cliffs cliff-top path, Channel views and beach and harbour.
Warnings: Steep climbs near start.
Source: A variant of Sandling to Folkestone or Dover – the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Sandling to Folkestone West
Dismantled railway, chalky escarpment ridge, steep climbs, open downland and long pavement finish.
Warnings: Long pavement to station.
Source: A shorter variant of Sandling to Folkestone or Dover – the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
Wye to Folkestone West
North Downs ridge, valley, disused railway, spectacular Channel views and road walking at end.
Warnings: Road walking at end.
Source: A longer variant of Sandling to Wye – the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).