Best walks to or from Marden
Kent · South East England | Walks by train
MapBeautiful walks starting or ending at Marden Station.
Marden Station to Headcorn Station
A low-lying route through orchard country on field paths and lanes that can be very wet and waterlogged, with the route line systematically offset south of the actual paths. Several broken stiles, arable fields where the path is not reinstated, gates and sheep and traditional apple orchards. Passes Staplehurst Parish Church and a WW2 memorial to USA and Canadian airmen at the old Advanced Landing Ground site near Chickenden Farm.
12km.
Some field paths are unrestored across large arable fields - good mapping is needed to hold a line. Several broken stiles; one path may be blocked at its western end (a lane detour works). Very wet underfoot. Can be muddy.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Marden Station to Maidstone East Station
A route for confident walkers mixing pavement and path walking, dropping into the Loose valley on the Loose Greenway and climbing back out, then through fruit farms on overgrown, hard-to-follow paths, over field paths that get overgrown with brambles in summer. Not direct and with drops and climbs and a river crossing. Follows the Loose Greenway through Loose village. Can be walked in two sections, breaking at Linton.
17km. Moderate ascents.
The route is difficult to follow between Linton and Marden, with overgrown paths through fruit farms and unclear markings in mid-summer; walkers have lost the route after crossing the Beult river and had to road-walk. Not suitable for beginners.
Documented by Slow Ways — download GPX route
Paddock Wood Station to Marden Station
The route involves a track across Old Hay Airfield that is not a right of way and an onward path in very poor condition with an unmarked start and an unbridged ditch. Walkers have had to abandon the paths and use relatively busy roads.
Easy: 10km, flat terrain.
The route crosses Old Hay Airfield on a track that is not a right of way, and is blocked by locked gates through private property with sketchy access in places. The onward footpath is in very poor condition with an unbridged ditch, forcing walkers onto busy roads.