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Folkestone to Dover loop on the Saxon Shore Way

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Folkestone to Dover loop on the Saxon Shore Way

Hard

4.6

(33)

213

hikers

Folkestone to Dover loop on the Saxon Shore Way

07:44

28.3km

440m

Hiking

Embark on a challenging hike along the Kent coastline with the Folkestone to Dover loop on the Saxon Shore Way. This difficult 17.6-mile (28.3 km) route, taking around 7 hours and 44 minutes to complete, features a significant 1432 feet (436 metres) of elevation gain. You will experience dramatic clifftop…

Last updated: April 23, 2026

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

4.29 km

Battle of Britain Memorial

Highlight • Monument

The Battle of Britain Memorial is a national memorial to the men who fought in the Battle of Britain between 10th July and 31st October, 1940. The site is a …

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7.25 km

Abbot's Cliff Sound Mirror

Highlight • Monument

Acoustic early warning mirror at Abbot's Cliff, Kent
Abbot’s Cliff sound mirror | Sound Mirrors (andrewgrantham.co.uk)

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8.04 km

Saxon Shore Way Coastal Cliffs

Highlight • Climb

The Saxon Shore Way skirts along the coast of Kent from Hastings to Gravesend. The 153 mile (246km) follows Roman coastline of Kent and so takes in the Saxon Shore forts, built to protect Roman Britain from Saxon pirates.

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13.6 km

Entrance to Drop Redoubt, Western Heights

Highlight • Historical Site

Drop Redoubt fort is linked to the citadel via dry moats. You can look round the exterior of the fort for free at any time during daylight. The fort is …

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14.1 km

View of Dover, Dover Castle, and the White Cliffs

Highlight • Castle

There is a fantastic view of Dover here from the Harbour Battery. Plus plenty of history looking around the old defenses.

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15.9 km

Shakespeare Cliff

Highlight • Viewpoint

The first attempt to dig a tunnel under the Channel to connect England and France was commenced here at Shakespeare Cliff in the late 1870s. The sea is its narrowest …

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18.1 km

White Cliffs of Dover

Highlight • Natural Monument

The White Cliffs of Dover are an iconic British landmark. As this is the narrowest sea crossing to mainland Europe, the white cliffs were once the first sighting of home …

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18.4 km

Samphire Hoe

Highlight • Natural

This beautiful stretch of coastline was created by excavating chalk rock during the construction of the Euro Tunnel.
Today you can go for a walk, swim on the pebble beach or fish from the fortified wall.

Translated by Google •

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23.1 km

The Warren, Folkestone

Highlight • Trail

A country park around the East Cliffs of Folkstone and East Wear Bay sandy beaches. The area has been popular for centuries; during Victorian times, people would picnic on the …

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25.5 km

Folkestone Harbour

Highlight • Structure

Folkestone Harbour has experienced a time of great regeneration since 2014. Now a place to promenade, enjoy a cafe or take in the view, it was a busy ferry port …

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28.3 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

11.3 km

8.86 km

5.95 km

1.62 km

293 m

171 m

Surfaces

9.07 km

7.88 km

5.28 km

2.77 km

2.10 km

1.11 km

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (150 m)

Lowest point (0 m)

Weather

Tuesday 5 May

13°C

7°C

20 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h

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This route was planned by komoot.

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Trail Reviews

Clara Lee

November 1, 2024, North Downs Way: Folkestone Station to Dover Recce

It was a long but rewarding hike; I am excited to lead my next ESEA Outdoors UK hike here!

Folkestone to Dover loop on the Saxon Shore Way

Battle of Britain Memorial

Abbot's Cliff Sound Mirror

Saxon Shore Way Coastal Cliffs

Entrance to Drop Redoubt, Western Heights

View of Dover, Dover Castle, and the White Cliffs

Shakespeare Cliff

White Cliffs of Dover

Samphire Hoe

The Warren, Folkestone

Folkestone Harbour

Nearby routes

Trail Reviews

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