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your kent downs adventure awaits
A great weekend adventure doesn't have to mean sleeping in a tent or taking time off work.
This two-day bikepacking adventure begins and ends at Maidstone East station, just an hour from London, taking you through the rolling hills, quiet country lanes and picturesque villages of the Kent Downs National Landscape.
Across 134km of rewarding riding, you'll tackle a handful of punchy climbs before unwinding in a cosy, bike-friendly hotel in the heart of Canterbury. Freshen up, wander the city's historic streets, enjoy a well-earned meal and wake up to breakfast before setting off for day two.
We've taken care of the route planning, accommodation and local recommendations, so you can spend less time organising and more time enjoying the ride.
The adventure at a glance
🚴 Distance: 134km
⛰️ Elevation: 1,490m climbing
📅 Duration: 2 days
🛣️ Terrain: Road
🏡 Overnight: Hotel
🚆 Start/end: Maidstone East station (60 minutes from London)
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what's included in your guide?
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Fully mapped 2-day route
A ready-to-follow route starting and ending at Maidstone East station, with GPX links included .
Detailed itinerary
Daily route breakdown, recommended cafés, points of interest and places worth stopping.
Practical packing checklist
Know exactly what to bring for a comfortable weekend away.
Overnight stay details
Everything you need to know to book your bike-friendly hotel.
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What you’ll experience
Rolling hills and rewarding climbs
The Kent Downs aren't flat, but that's part of the adventure. You'll climb through peaceful countryside, enjoy fast descents and be rewarded with beautiful views along the way.
A night of comfort
Forget carrying camping gear. End your first day in a cosy, bike-friendly hotel in Canterbury, with a hot shower, comfortable bed and breakfast ready for the morning.
A true weekend escape
Just an hour from London, this route proves that you don't need to travel across the country to find a proper adventure.
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the route
Day 1: Maidstone East → Canterbury
67km • 760m climbing
From Maidstone East station, the route heads straight into the heart of the Kent Downs, where quiet lanes, punchy climbs and rewarding descents set the tone for the weekend.
You'll spend the day weaving through the countryside before arriving in historic Canterbury, where you can swap your bike for a well-earned meal, a wander through the city and a comfortable night's sleep.
Day 2: Return to Maidstone
67km • 730m climbing
Wake up in Canterbury, enjoy a relaxed breakfast and ease back into the rhythm of the ride.
Day two takes you through more of Kent's beautiful countryside before completing the loop back to Maidstone East - a reminder that you don't need weeks away to experience something memorable.
Short on time, big on adventure
Your kent downs adventure starts here.
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The route is mapped, the stops are chosen and the logistics are taken care of. All that's left to do is ride.
We've done the hours of research, route planning and preparation, so you can spend your weekend doing what you actually came for: exploring somewhere new, riding quiet roads and discovering just how much adventure can fit into 48 hours.