Walking & Hiking

Walk through the orchard blossom and the bluebell woods in spring, or kick your way through the crunchy autumn leaves. There are plenty of seasonal walks in the Maidstone area.

Maidstone offers some great countryside walking, with a little aerobic exercise for the North Downs and the Greensand Ridge, to peaceful level walks along the River Medway.  For those looking for a challenge there is the North Downs National Trail or the Augustine Camino Pilgrimage Trail.

North Downs National Trail

The most famous walking route is the North Downs Way which cuts through the villages of Hollingbourne and Lenham, just north of Maidstone. Most of the 156 mile journey, which starts in Surrey and ends in Dover, is along the highest points of the North Downs ridge. It is not necessary to walk the whole distance and a map can be purchased from the Visitor Information Centre to ensure you can find connecting footpaths in this beautiful area, so you can enjoy a circular walk on marked bridleways and footpaths. 

Augustine Caminio Pilgrimage Trail

The new Augustine Camino Pilgrimage Trail start from Rochester Cathedral and heads off the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion at Canterbury and finishes at St Augustine's in Folkestone. The first leg is Rochester to Aylesford Priory and then on to Thurnham and then to Doddington, Faversham and Canterbury and Ramsgate. It is much less crowded than the Santiago Comino Trail but has the same healing rhythms of walking, great scenery and some unique flora along the way.  A Landranger map can open up the whole area to a keen walker taking in pretty countryside, villages, farms, towns, shops, pubs and beautiful landscapes.  There are some wonderful pubs along this route but also The Friars, at Aylesford.  This was the original home of the Carmelite Friars when they returned from the crusades.  Carmelite Friars still live here and provide accommodation along the route.  Staying in a monestry offers and immensely authentic experience.

Maidstone River Park

For easier walking try one of the marked trail riverside walks such as the Maidstone River Park in Maidstone. This way you can keep the river on your right or left, taking the worry out of getting lost and you can walk all the way from Maidstone to Yalding and back.  Exploring further with circular walks makes this an easily explored destination check out Explore Kent.

Country Parks

Bluebell Hill and Teston Country Park also offer a variety of walks.  Hucking Estate, owned by the Woodland Trust is a very popular choice and can be found on the North Downs between Thurnham and Hollingbourne.  The bluebells in Spring are spectacular and are in the Woodland Trust's top 10 bluebell walks.  The Hook & Hatchet pub car park has access to Hucking Estate as well making for an excellent place for refreshments after your walk.

Pub Walks in Kent

There are lots of country pubs in the Maidstone area, many ideally placed for starting and finishing a walk or taking a well-earned rest on route. The Dirty Habit in Hollingbourne has a number of circular walks for you to enjoy.  The Potting Shed at Langley has some good walks as does the The Vineyard at Lamberhurst. Some take in castle, follies and all take in glorious countryside.  They range from about 1 mile to 8 miles.

Walking Maps You Can Download & Enjoy

Uncovering the many historic attractions of Maidstone is simple by following our historic walking tour. Discover such iconic landmarks as the Archbishop's Palace, All Saints Church, and Maidstone Museum. 

Download Historic Maidstone Walking Tour map

The River Medway is an idyllic place to take a leisurely walk.

Maidstone Millennium River Park stretches 10km along the River Medway from Teston Country Park, through Maidstone Town Centre, to Allington Lock and the Kent Life Heritage Farm Park.

Download Maidstone Millennium River Park Walk

Explore Kent website offers an amazing aray of walks in and around Maidstone but particularly around East Farleigh and towards Yalding taking you further along the river from Maidstone. It takes in some of the delightful pubs, places to relax, local food and simply enjoying the river and waterside walking. Some of the circular trails which lead from the river provide great exploration into the countryside.  

Top Tip

If you choose to walk along the River Medway then there are a number of very useful stations to get you back again. From Maidstone, there is Fant, East Farleigh, Wateringbury and Yalding.