Walks from Longfield

Pretty countryside. A walk through pretty countryside starting on residential roads, then a long valley-floor path, a steep climb up the North Downs escarpment, a series of small steep-sided valleys through pasture and woodland with steep stepped paths. A fair amount of road walking and mostly quiet but with some busier stretches; the going can be soggy and muddy in wet weather. Follows the Darenth Valley Path for much of the early section. Passes alongside Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve. Can be split using Otford station.

Time: 6h–11h30

Lunch: Otford, midway, has tea rooms and refreshment spots.

Warnings: A steep, stepped climb up the North Downs escarpment and steep stepped descents/ascents at Knatts Valley. Two long road sections are busier than ideal; the road through Hartley is a long grind but has pavements. The route crosses fields with horses near the equestrian centre and across a golf course. Can be muddy.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A mostly quiet route through scenic countryside, with a couple of short, steep footpaths, rutted tracks, at least one kissing gate and a couple of wet, muddy flushes and plus two sections beside busy but well-pavemented roads including the eight-lane A2. Uses the Thames Way in part. Can be cut short at Northfleet station. Skylarks, chalk downland flowers, warblers in the Ebbsfleet Valley reedbeds, and possibly adders in summer.

Time: 3h–5h30

Lunch: A pub and bus stops in Southfleet; a pizza/burger van in the layby north of the A2 bridge and a large supermarket a little further north.

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a sixth of the walk. There are sections beside busy roads including the eight-lane A2, a wide Eurostar-traffic road that is a little dangerous to cross, and a tricky duck-under beneath HS1. The Ebbsfleet footbridge has metal width restrictions.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A pleasant route through the Ebbsfleet Valley using footpaths among long rewilded spoil pits, embankments and flooded quarries and plus a roadside stretch along Thames Way and some alleyways in Longfield. The valley footpaths are twisting and disorientating; charming but indirect. The rewilded spoil pits, embankments and flooded quarries are charming, with unexpected flora.

Time: 2h30–5h

Warnings: The footpaths in the Ebbsfleet Valley are very twisted and disorientating, with an entrance that is hard to find — risk of getting lost.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A mostly off-road walk along thin woodland strips between fields and across the downs, with some steep climbs at the Longfield end becoming gentler towards Sole Street. Includes unavoidable sections along country lanes and roads with no verge or pavement and footpaths that can be waterlogged. Joins the long-distance Wealdway from Nurstead to Sole Street. Skylarks on the downs and bluebells in spring along the woodland strips.

Time: 2h–4h

1 lunch spot: the Green Man

Warnings: Newstead Lane by New Barn can be busy and narrow, with no verge to step onto. A section of road can flood completely after heavy rain. Stiles and narrow kissing gates.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A route avoiding awkward and impassable field sections, climbing a little hill and crossing fields and quiet lanes, with newly planted crop fields (on public rights of way), railway-side stretches, woodland with many paths and residential and light-industrial streets towards the end. Some fields not prepped for walkers; muddy after wet weather. Crosses under the M25 at Button Street. Passes a distinctive tower in South Darenth and bluebells in season.

Time: 3h–6h30

Warnings: Crossing Fawkham Road; the section through Ram's Wood is confusing with many feet-and-wheel paths. Some crop fields where the right of way is unmaintained, so going around is faster.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Wide open views. An off-road route following the Darent Valley Path along the river, then footpaths across rolling fields and through woodland and with some quiet lane walking. A few gentle to slightly steeper climbs; ploughed fields can be hard to follow. Can be muddy after rain. There is a bus service at Hawley; the route can be picked up or left at intermediate points along the Darent Valley Path.

Time: 3h–6h

Lunch: A garden centre with a cafe and a bakery lie a short detour south of the route at Hawley.

Warnings: Some lane walking on Canada Farm Road, Rabbits Road and Wilson Lane with no verge; Rabbit Road has blind bends and fast traffic for a single-lane road.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A reworked route: the first third is pavement, sometimes residential but mostly the fast multi-lane B255; from Bean onwards it is mostly off-road, with very lovely sections across rolling chalk hills used for sheep and arable, scattered woodlands, field footpaths. Steep slopes, stairs, kissing gates but no stiles; limited mud and with one uneven path near Bean hiding animal holes. Detours through Beacon Woods Country Park to decompress after the B255, with a long flight of earth and plank steps to leave. Follows field footpaths through rolling chalk countryside. Buses are infrequent with none on Sundays.

Time: 2h30–5h30

Lunch: A pub, shop and bus stop at Bean; a McDonald's and Asda at Greenhithe; cafes, a pub and bakery at Longfield.

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a fifth of the walk. The first third runs along the dreary, fast, multi-lane B255. A short permissive path on a bank beside Hook Green Road, and a 200m section with no pavement, though it felt safe with good sightlines.

Walk details: Slow Ways.