Cycling UK North Downs Way Cycle Route

Update: In 2022, Cycling UK published a revised route, removing the option North of the M25  between Limpsfield and Wrotham, and making some other relatively small adjustments, see here. The route is shown in red on the map, but isn't discussed in this blog. 

Cycling UK has recently (2018) published a GPX file  defining a 'cycle-able' route along the North Downs Way. In a previous blog, I described a North Downs Cycle Route proposed by Sustrans. This map compares the routes: Cycling UK route in black, Sustrans in green and the Walking Trail in blue.(The Sustrans route is only shown as far as Canterbury, the Cycling UK route continues to Dover.)



It is important to stress that a large proportion of the North Downs Way (NDW) itself is footpath on which cycling is not permitted in principle, and in practice is not feasible due to narrow muddy paths, and obstacles such as steps, gates and styles (see photos below). Thus both cycling routes deviate from the official NDW national trail. The Sustrans route makes more use of roads (in particular, as might be expected, National Cycle Network routes), whilst the Cycling UK route tries to stay off-road on bridleways. In consequence, the Cycling UK route is the longer and more demanding of the two. The choice is yours.

I haven't yet tried the Cycling UK route (I must do so next summer), but looking at the map the main differences seem to be:

• Farnham to Puttenham: Sustrans follows National Cycle Network Route 22 along roads to the North of the NDW, the Cycling UK route makes a significant dip to the south.
• Watts Gallery (Compton) to Newlands Corner: Sustrans continues on Route 22 through the centre of Guildford, then uses the bridleway along Pewley Down. Cycling UK stick to the NDW to the South of Guildford including tough and sandy climbs over the Chantries and St Martha's, but make a significant excursion down the River Wey towpath to cross the River at Shalford (presumably to avoid the short section on footpath between the footbridge at St Catherines and Pilgrims Way road).
• Staple Lane to Ranmore Road: both routes stay on track and road north of the official NDW, which is steep up-and-down footpath hereabouts
• Ranmore Common to Box Hill: the Sustrans route takes the road through West Humble (NB Sustrans have proposed using the footpath along the road through Denbies Vinyard, but this would need approval) and climbs Box Hill on the Zig-Zag road. Cycling UK take bridleways through Denbies Vinyard and climb Box Hill on the steep path up the chalky hillside itself.
• Box Hill village to the B2032: both routes depart from the NDW footpath: Sustrans stay on roads, Cycling UK loop north on tracks via Headley Heath
• B2032 to Colley's Hill: both routes stay on the track along the North Downs ridge, whilst the official NDW trail footpath goes up and down the scarp slope
• Reigate Hill Golf Course: the NDW crosses the golf course: both cycling routes take roads to the North
• M23 crossing to A22 crossing: Cycling UK follow the NDW ascending steeply across the hillside up onto the ridge, Sustrans stay low to follow Route 21 along Rockshaw Road and Spring Bottom Lane.
• Woldingham to the M25 crossing: this is the major difference in the three routes. Sustrans stay up on the ridge, including the (rather busy) B2024 past Tatsfield and through Knockholt. Cycling UK descend to Limpsfield, then offer two options, either climb back up to the ridge and go down again via Chevening; or continue through the countryside to the south and rejoining the route at Wrotham
• Upper Halling to Blue Bell Hill: Sustrans cross the Medway on the M2 bridge cycleway; Cycling UK loop south to cross at Wouldham
• A229 crossing to Hollinbourne: both cycling routes follow the Pilgrims Way
• Boughton Lees to Chartham: Sustrans stay down and follow route 18 via Wye and a pleasant cycle track beside the railway, Cycling UK stick high on the NDW before descending through Chilham to join the Sustrans route into Canterbury.

North Downs Way official trail: mud

North Downs Way official trail: steps

North Downs Way at its best (here on Colley's Hill nr Reigate)