Cycle the North Thanet Coast

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From - to: Margate to Reculver

Type: Fairly flat and mostly traffic-free, with a short section on the road

Surface: Tarmac and concrete promenades

National Cycle Network regional route number: Regional Route 15 sign



Reculver Towers This wonderful coastal route begins on the sea wall opposite Margate station and then winds westwards past spectacular chalk cliffs, sandy beaches, rock pools and bays on the way to Reculver. The whole route is passable on foot subject to tides, but cyclists have a short section on a clifftop road if they don't want to carry their bikes or get their feet wet.

The first section of route takes you along the sea wall to Westgate-on-Sea with access slopes and steps to the cliff tops and down to the beaches along the way. A short on-road section takes you along the clifftop road to Epple Bay, where you can rejoin the sea wall to Minnis Bay. The beach here is ideal for swimming, and is also popular with sailors, windsurfers and sea canoeists. The route continues along the sea wall with splendid views of flat marshland which was once the Wantsum Channel.

If you want a longer ride back exploring more of East Kent, the 28-mile Viking Coastal Trail (Regional Route 15) heads southwards along a quiet road just west of Minnis Bay and loops inland via Minster, rejoining the coast at Pegwell Bay and following it through Broadstairs and back to Margate. More information on local facilities and points of interest is available online at www.vikingcoastaltrail.co.uk

Download a route description sheet.

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