Route 2
National Route 2 of the National Cycle Network is a long distance cycle route which, when complete, will link Dover in Kent with St. Austell in Cornwall via the south coast of England and is sometimes referred to as the South Coast Cycle Route.
Many sections of the route are fully open and signed but much is still under development, please check text below and the online mapping for details. The route is described here from Dover to St. Austell but is signed in both directions.
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: Explore Kent by Bike and Goldeneye Kent show Route 2 and other routes in Kent. 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 runs mainly along the coast but heads inland between Pevensey and Seaford to avoid the South Downs.
Map: Goldeneye Sussex and South Surrey shows Route 2 from Hastings to Emsworth. Please check for open sections on the Sussex routes page and online mapping.
Brighton to Worthing
National Route 2 continues west of Brighton to Worthing via Shoreham.
Maps: Goldeneye Sussex and South Surrey shows Route 2 from Hastings to Emsworth. Please check for open sections on the Sussex routes page and online mapping.
Worthing to South Mundham
National Route 2 in West Sussex is still being developed and currently open sections exist between Littlehampton and Bognor Regis only.
Map: Check for open sections on the Sussex routes page.
South Mundham to Christchurch
Short unopen sections exist through central Portsmouth; south of Southampton; out of Brockenhurst (New Forest), and within Christchurch but otherwise Route 2 is continuous across Hampshire.
Map: Goldeneye Hampshire. Check for newly opened sections on the Hampshire routes page and online mapping.
Christchurch to Lyme Regis
Along Bournemouth seafront and over on the Poole Harbour ferry, National Route 2 continues to the east of Dorchester and then begins again on the west of Dorchester to Raymond’s Hill, north of Lyme Regis.
Map: Details of open sections and maps are on the Dorset routes page.
Lyme Regis to Dawlish
The strand of Route 2 from Raymond's Hill to Lyme Regis is not yet open, so Regional Route 52 [details on Devon page] provides a link to rejoin Route 2 the other side of Lyme Regis. Route 2 then continues through Seaton, Sidmouth and circumnavigates the Exe Estuary via Exeter to Dawlish.
Map: ROS05 Tour 5 Devon & Somerset West.
Dawlish to Plymouth
The proposed Route 2 via Newton Abbot is under development so Route 2 restarts at Totnes and continues via a moorland route through Ivybridge to Plymouth. A coastal alternative route from Totnes to Plymouth is fully open as far as Malborough near Salcombe.
Map: ROS05 Tour 5 Devon & Somerset West or NNP30 Goldeneye Devon Pack [Exmoor and Dartmoor]. Check for further details of open sections and maps on the Devon page and the online mapping.
Plymouth to St. Austell
The main Cornish section of the route will link the Cremyll Ferry in Plymouth with Lostwithiel via Looe and on to St. Austell. At present this section is only open between Par and St Austell.
Map: ROS05 Tour 5 Devon & Somerset West and Clay Trails leaflet. Also check for route development news on the Cornwall page.