Route 2
National Route 2 of the National Cycle Network is a long distance cycle route which will link Dover in Kent with St. Austell in Cornwall when complete via the south coast of England and is sometimes referred to as the South Coast Cycle Route.
The route is only fully open and signed between Dover and Brighton, but is still under development between Brighton and St. Austell.
National Route 2: Dover to Havant (Hampshire)
Dover to Hastings
National Route 2 starts or finishes in Dover following a cliff top route to Folkestone and crossing Romney Marsh to Lydd and Rye.
Map: the official Sustrans route map is now out of print, for details of maps covering the route take a look at the Garden of England cycle route page.
Hastings to Brighton
The route between Hastings and Brighton is a part of the Downs and Weald cycle route. The route is mainly along the coast though heads inland between Pevensey and Seaford to avoid the South Downs.
Map: NN2A Downs & Weald cycle route map.
Brighton to Worthing
Recently opened and signed, National Route 2 now continues west of Brighton to Worthing via Shoreham.
Maps: Brighton Coastal Route (pdf) and Shoreham to Worthing Coastal Route (pdf)
Beyond Worthing National Route 2 is still being developed. Below are listed the principal towns along the proposed route and the counties the route passes through:
Worthing to Emsworth - West Sussex
The rest of National Route 2 in West Sussex is still being developed. Check for open sections on the Sussex routes page.
National Route 2: Havant (Hampshire) to St. Austell or Bodmin
Emsworth to Christchurch - Hampshire
The route is still incomplete through Portsmouth, Fareham, Southampton and the New Forest. Check for open sections on the Hampshire routes page.
Christchurch to Lyme Regis - Dorset
National Route 2 is currently open in two large sections between Christchurch and Poole and between Dorchester and Lyme Regis. Details of open sections and maps are on the Dorset routes page.
Lyme Regis to Plymouth - Devon
Taking in Exmouth, Exeter, Newton Abbot and Totnes when complete, there will be the option of a coastal route via Salcombe and a moorland route via Ivybridge to Plymouth. Check for open sections on the Devon routes page.
Plymouth to St. Austell - Cornwall
The main Cornish section of the route will link the Cremyll Ferry with Lostwithiel via Looe with links to Bodmin and St. Austell. Check for development news on the Cornwall routes pages.