Route 
Illustrative photoCycling Kent's coast: three easy, traffic-free rides
Old railway lines, sea walls and clifftops. These three rides are flat enough for families and full of things to see along the way.
Kent's coast is made for cycling. Much of it is flat, a lot of it is traffic-free, and there is a café, a castle or a beach every few kilometres. These three rides are easy enough for families and good for a whole day out.
Distances are approximate, and paths can change, so check the route on the day.
The Crab and Winkle Way
This path follows the line of the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway, which opened in 1830 as one of the first passenger railways in the world. It runs from Canterbury through Blean Woods to the harbour at Whitstable. There is one long, gentle climb out of Canterbury and a lovely downhill run to the sea.
The Oyster Bay Trail
From Whitstable, follow the coast east past the beach huts of Tankerton and along the seafront to Herne Bay's pier. Carry on along the sea wall to Reculver, where two medieval church towers stand inside the ruins of a Roman fort. They have guided sailors for centuries.
The Viking Coastal Trail
A signed loop around the Isle of Thanet, linking Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate along cliffs, bays and promenades. Its name nods to the Viking ship replica that stands at Pegwell Bay, near Ramsgate. Most people ride one section, such as Margate to Broadstairs along the chalk bays.
Tips for a good day on the bike
- Check the tide and the wind. A headwind along the sea wall can double the effort on the way back.
- Hire locally. Several towns along these routes have bike hire, often including e-bikes for longer days.
- Use the train. Many trains on the Kent coast carry bikes, so you can ride one way and come back by rail.
- Stop often. The best parts of these rides are the places you pass.
Know what you're riding past
Most cyclists ride straight past Reculver's towers, the oyster sheds and the old railway bridges without knowing their stories. Route Stories routes tell you about the places you pass as you reach them, so you can keep riding and still hear about them. Headphones or a small speaker work best. Keep the volume low enough to hear the traffic around you.
