Sunset is at 16.09, so good light for walking until 16.45 or some such.
Length: 21.3 km (13.2 mi)
Ascent/Descent: 400/477m
Net Walking Time: 5 hours
Rating: 5/10
This walk is a stage of the North Downs Way (NDW)/The Pilgrims’ Ways. It
follows the southern escarpment of the North Downs ridge through a mix of
fields and woods, with open views to the south for most of the way.
The walk is in two parts, bisected at a saddle in the ridge at Wrotham
by the M20.
From Otford, you steeply ascend the North Downs Ridge, and head east to
pass Coteman's Ash, about 300m south of a quirky food only pub, then continue
along the ridge to Wrotham (pubs) where there is a safe motorway crossing.
You
then slowly regain the ridge through a forest until Trosley Country Park/Vigo
Village (pub). Back in the open, the walk continues in open countryside below
the ridge with southerly views.Leave the NDW proper to descend through open countryside to Snodland, finishing
with about 1 km of urban walking.
Walk Options:
Continue along the NDW for longer and descend to Halling Station, one
stop further towards Strood: adds 1.1 km.
Take the 09.14 Sevenoaks service from Victoria (calls Denmark
Hill, Peckham Rye, Nunhead, …, Bromley South, …), arrives Otford 10.13.
A faster option with fewer stops is to take the 09.16 Hastings
service from Victoria (calls Orpington 09.39), and change
at Sevenoaks (09.48/09.58) onto the London Blackfriars service, arrives Otford
10.05.
Return trains: xx.09 from Snodland, xx.12 from
Halling. Change at Strood onto the High-Speed service into St. Pancras (59
minutes in total from Snodland).
There is also a Thameslink service from Strood (on xx.17 and xx.47), but
this Sunday it terminates at Plumstead, so your route into London requires a
change at Abbey Wood onto the Elizabeth Line (63 minutes from Strood to Liv
Street).
Note: Otford and Snodland are on different lines, with the return journey requiring a change at Strood. A Maidstone (All Stations) return covers both the out and back journeys. If taking a train into St. Pancras on the return from Strood, be aware that the part of the journey between Gravesend and St. Pancras requires you to have purchased a High-Speed surcharge ticket BEFORE getting on the train. Also, on the High-Speed line into Stratford and St. Pancras, London Boundary Zone tickets are NOT VALID!
Lunch: Three pubs/hotel
pubs off route in Wrotham (adds 700m): The George & Dragon,
the Rose & Crown (Shepherd
Neame, food all day) and The Bull Hotel.
Tea: nothing in
Snodland, two pubs in Halling (a little off route).
For
a detailed route map, gpx/kml file and pdf directions
click here. #2026-11-15T09:14 T=swc.455
