Walks you can reach from Swale by train

Recommended: A flat estuary walk along the sea defences, following the England Coast Path nearly all the way.

Coastal: nine tenths along the coast.

Time: 6h30–13h30

Lunch: Only one village stop en route.

Walk details: Railwalks.

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Recommended: The close up views of salt marshes and mud flats of the Medway and Swale, made all the more atmospheric by the distant industrial structures. A long, three-part coastal and estuary route: first a wide, popular path right by the Medway estuary coastline with great views; then field paths and quiet lanes on higher ground with views inland and across the estuary; finally a freshly opened section of the England Coast Path on the Isle of Sheppey. Some informal/permissive paths, deep ruts hidden under long grass and possible high-tide flooding. Uses the England Coast Path. Salt marshes and mudflats are important nesting sites for coastal birds and rare plants. Can be broken at Rainham, Lower Halstow, Iwade or Swale station; the Sheppey line has five stations.

Coastal: three quarters along the coast.

Time: 6h30–13h

Lunch: Toilets and cafes at the Strand in Gillingham and in Riverside Country Park; pubs on Lower Rainham Road; pubs and shops at Lower Halstow and Iwade.

Warnings: The England Coast Path section on Sheppey had unfinished waymarkers and crosses ground with deep ruts hidden under long grass. Some high-tide saltmarsh paths may flood.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Recommended: Lovely views out over the marshes. A lovely, varied route through woods, fields, gentle hills, orchards and a river estuary, with small sections of mostly safe road walking. The first half is farmland over very gentle hills; the second follows the Medway estuary on the England Coast Trail, with lovely views over the marshes and mudflats. Quite a lot of tarmac and with some muddy parts and slanted cycle gates. The estuary section is on the England Coast Trail. Optional detour along a causeway to 'Horrid Hill'. Break points at Borden, Newington, Rainham, Riverside Country Park and the Strand leisure area.

Time: 5h30–11h

Lunch: Break points with pubs/shops at Borden, Newington and Rainham; cafes and toilets at Riverside Country Park and the Strand.

Warnings: Steps, stiles and gates throughout, plus slanted cycle gates along the estuary. A field path beyond Newington was not reinstated across crops. Care crossing main roads.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

An unavoidably long route through grazing marsh, freshwater pools, saltwater creeks, orchards and urban green spaces and quiet country lanes. Mostly flat; some sections can be soggy and waterlogged but doable with high boots. Passes through the Swale RAMSAR site with important bird populations; a high density of fruit orchards makes it good for spring blossom; lots of pitstop and public-transport options; you may see the Kingsferry Bridge spans lift.

Time: 7h30–15h

1 lunch spot: the Ship Inn

Warnings: Some parts of the route can be very waterlogged.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

About 40% off-road on field footpaths, very flat with a few gentle slopes and plus the coastal path on Sheppey and a maze-like path through an orchard. Fields can be soggy or sticky in wet weather but passable; there are kissing gates. Uses the newly opened England Coast Path between Kingsferry Bridge and Rushenden; good views over the Swale from Kingsferry Bridge, where you may see the bridge lift for shipping.

Time: 3h30–7h

Warnings: Follows a busy road for a quarter of the walk. A fair bit of unavoidable road walking on the Isle of Sheppey, some without pavement; a large pool of deep water can block the official England Coast Path entrance north of Rushenden; beware splintered wooden step covers on the coastal section.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A marginally shorter, more off-road route via Bexon and Bottom Pond. Includes a short and apparently permissive path down the side of an orchard. No shops or scheduled buses on the route. There are no shops or scheduled buses on the route. A tearoom at the Bredgar model railway site was recommended (check opening hours).

Time: 4h30–8h30

Lunch: A tearoom at the Bredgar model railway site is on the route (check opening hours); otherwise no shops or scheduled buses.

Warnings: The permissive orchard-side path between Bloody Mary Lane and Stratton Street may not work out; carry an OS map for nearby alternatives. Lenham station is not near the village-centre start point.

Walk details: Slow Ways.