Essex Man Does Walking

Dunton Green to Rochester

Today was the biggest walk I have completed being about 21 miles. Coming just after the terrible heat of yesterday, I was worried it would have an adverse effect but it did not.

Rob and Ii got up early and headed down to breakfast. We packed up and then headed back to Dunton Green on the train from Sevenoaks. At Dunton Green we re-joined the trail and headed over some farm lands. We head into Otford a nice looking place that I have driven through once or twice. It is here we head up out first steep climb. It certainly got the sweat flowing and by the top I actually feel less tired than I did when I woke up. There are some great views as we go over Kemsing Down and head into Wrotham. The day is cool and there is rain in the air. Very welcome after yesterday.

We head through the outskirts of Wrotham with the hum of the M20 increasing. Eventually we head over it and turn down to join up with the Pilgrim’s Way. The path criss crosses the lane before eventually heading steeply up towards Trosley Country Park. The rain is coming down now and somehow we miss the turn and head around to come into our lunch spot from the other side. Rob is heading home from here and we have lunch before parting.

The rain is coming down heavily but the track through and out of the park is wide and level. Eventually I head up and down a flint track and was passed by some Trail Bikes. At the bottom I head left and again travel for some time on a level path. This has to stop though and I have to head up through some wet overgrown paths. At the top I inevitably head down and through a very dark forest. This occasionally breaks out into fields before heading into forest again. I pass a lone walker who I find out is also doing the North Downs way but in reverse! Up and down and I pass lots of vines and head inti the outskirts of Cuxton.

I head up a steep slope towards a railway bridge and head into Ranscombe Farm Reserve. This heads down and then upwards before levelling out. The trail winds to the right and then heads down with a view of the Medway Bridge in the distance. I get closer to the bridge and leave the trail to find my hotel for the night.

Distance: 21 miles