Great rides: Cantii Way in a winter weekend

A few mates and I tackled Cantii Way over a weekend in November 2025. With short days and travel plans working against us, we made the pragmatic call to skip the southern Folkestone to Ashford loop and head back more directly through the Kent Downs instead.

This was a beautiful detour in its own right which trimmed about 50 miles off the 145-mile full route. No regrets. It meant we got to see most of the best bits of the route while having enough time to slow down and enjoy ourselves as we go, which is increasingly the point of these trips for us.

The route still took in the famous White Cliffs, seaside towns in various stages of revival, ancient woodland, military history, and some genuinely spectacular chalk cliff scenery.

We took the short train journey from London both ways, which made the whole thing brilliantly straightforward. No cars, no faff, no arguments about who’s driving. Bikes on the train, straight into it.

Bikes and kit

It was gravel bikes all round, which was absolutely the right call. Cantii Way mixes quiet country lanes, field tracks, woodland trails and some lovely off-road sections. A road bike would have been limiting and a mountain bike would have felt sluggish on the long flat stretches.

Gravel bikes handled everything with ease and felt perfectly at home throughout. We were staying overnight in a hotel so there was no need for loads of baggage. Packing light is always preferable for us!

What we loved

The thing that struck us most was just how much variety the route packs in. You’re rarely far from the sea and the route hugs the coast for long enough that you really feel it. It then dips inland into quiet Kent Downs countryside, past vineyards that could easily be mistaken for southern France on a sunny November day.

We were blessed with proper winter sunshine for a lot of the ride. The low light made everything look extraordinary, with long shadows across the chalk cliffs, golden hour over the sea, sunrises that justified the early starts. It reminded you why you bother getting out in the colder months.

The route is also largely car free for long stretches, which made it perfect for riding alongside your mates and actually talking. That’s rarer than you’d think on a lot of routes.

Where we stayed

We stayed at my mate’s place the night before, and with a two-day ride just needed the one stopover. There’s plenty to choose from, from B&Bs to plush hotels.

We chose the Botany Bay Hotel at Broadstairs (near Margate) which was perfect for us. It sat right next to the beach, which was too tempting in the morning for a cold dip to wake us up for the second ride day.

What we didn’t love

Missing the full southern loop was a slight pang, if we’re honest. The Folkestone to Ashford section looks brilliant on the map and it’ll definitely be on the agenda next time. The short winter days are the obvious enemy here, so if you’re doing this in November, plan accordingly or accept the compromise gracefully like we did.

Also, don’t expect much adrenaline on this route. It’s gentle, and rewards those seeking a more chilled ride. Although riding it all in a day could be a great challenge if you want to rev it up a bit!

If you want more technical riding or thrilling descents, then look elsewhere like Cycling UK’s Traws Eryri which we did back in September 2024.

Some highlights

• Riding through Dover past the busy shipping lanes with container ships queuing out to sea, the whole industrial theatre of one of the world’s busiest ports. Brilliant.
• The Battle of Britain Memorial near Folkestone. Replica and original aircraft, a sweeping clifftop setting and a genuinely moving tribute to the pilots who flew from these fields. Worth every minute of the stop.
• A morning sea dip near Margate. Cold? Absolutely. Worth it? Without question. The kind of thing that sounds terrible until you’re actually in and then feels brilliant. Great way to start a day on the bike.
• Riding along the foot of the famous chalk cliffs. That white wall rising above you with the sea alongside is one of those things that’s hard to photograph but stays with you.
• The coastal towns of Margate, Ramsgate, Dover and Whitstable were a real highlight. Proper faded British seaside grandeur with incredible architecture that’s clearly in the middle of a revival. The kind of places you’d never stop at if you drove past but reward a slower look.
• The vineyards in the Kent countryside. Rows of vines, golden autumn light, and a landscape that genuinely felt like we’d crossed the Channel. Kent as the Garden of England makes complete sense when you’re riding through it.
• Local pints: Shepherd Neame and Curious Brewery both featured heavily and were absolutely deserved.
• Big breakfasts. The kind you order knowing full well you’re about to burn every calorie within a few hours. Part of the ritual.
• The sunsets and sunrises. November delivered on both fronts. Properly dramatic.

Cantii Way is a brilliant route. Flat enough to be accessible, varied enough to stay interesting, and with enough history, coastline and character to reward a slower pace. We barely scratched the surface and can’t wait to go back and do it properly.