Running atop the White Cliffs of Dover makes for a memorable experience! A series of fairly gentle footpaths traverse the bluff atop the landmark chalk cliffs overlooking the English Channel. It’s a popular spot for walking, hiking, or running. The best bet is to part at the National Trust Visitor Center. From there, paths along the cliff extend for 6.5 miles east to Kingsdown Beach. This is fairly easy trail running — the surface is dirt/grass, and the path is quite wide. There are great views of the water, with grasslands and meadows all around. Note the area is open and exposed, and it can be very windy.
Google Street View
A good 10k out and back is to run from the Visitor Center east for 2.8 miles, and then down Bay Hill to St. Margaret’s Beach, where there’s an 0.3 mile path along the water with great views of the white cliffs above. Come back up the hill and retrace your steps, or continue to Kingsdown. There are some additional paths atop the cliff aside from the one closest to the water.
A Running Adventure: You can run one-way to Kingsdown, and even continue on a wonderful seafront path for 2.5 miles to Deal (or continue for another mile to Sandown) and then take public transport back. There are regular buses. There’s a train with stops 1.5 miles outside of Dover, in Walmer, and in Deal.
Castle Add-On: Another fun option is the run the 80 acres of grounds of Dover Castle, and then use Dame Vera Lynn Way to the White Cliffs. It’s a memorable climb on dedicated paths to the castle. The Castle was Henry II’s medieval palace and is one of England’s greatest fortresses. Note: Castle has set hours and admission fees.
Running atop the White Cliffs of Dover makes for a memorable experience! A series of fairly gentle footpaths traverse the bluff atop the landmark chalk cliffs overlooking the English Channel. It’s a popular spot for walking, hiking, or running. The best bet is to part at the National Trust Visitor Center. From there, paths along the cliff extend for 6.5 miles east to Kingsdown Beach. This is fairly easy trail running — the surface is dirt/grass, and the path is quite wide. There are great views of the water, with grasslands and meadows all around. Note the area is open and exposed, and it can be very windy.
Google Street View
A good 10k out and back is to run from the Visitor Center east for 2.8 miles, and then down Bay Hill to St. Margaret’s Beach, where there’s an 0.3 mile path along the water with great views of the white cliffs above. Come back up the hill and retrace your steps, or continue to Kingsdown. There are some additional paths atop the cliff aside from the one closest to the water.
A Running Adventure: You can run one-way to Kingsdown, and even continue on a wonderful seafront path for 2.5 miles to Deal (or continue for another mile to Sandown) and then take public transport back. There are regular buses. There’s a train with stops 1.5 miles outside of Dover, in Walmer, and in Deal.
Castle Add-On: Another fun option is the run the 80 acres of grounds of Dover Castle, and then use Dame Vera Lynn Way to the White Cliffs. It’s a memorable climb on dedicated paths to the castle. The Castle was Henry II’s medieval palace and is one of England’s greatest fortresses. Note: Castle has set hours and admission fees.
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Essentials
Up to 6.5 miles one-way on paths from Dover to Kingsdown. A good 10k is to St. Margaret's Beach
Rolling hills
National Trust Visitor Center
Car park at the Visitor Center. Buses run between the towns. The Dover train station is 1.5 miles from the Cliffs. Train runs between Dover and Deal
Pretty much anywhere on this island is gorgeous for running. We've designed several routes showcasing seafront promenades, runnable beaches, clifftop coastal trails, and quiet roads passing a verdant landscape.
Lovely waterfront running in the seaside town of Worthing, located 10 miles west of Brighton. A wide seafront promenade runs for 6 miles between the Widewater Lagoon and Goring-by-sea Beach. Expansive water views the whole way.
Brighton is a historic and popular seaside resort on the coast of England. We've mapped several routes showcasing the 10+ miles of seafront paths between Kingston Beach and Saltsean, and gorgeous trail running in the vast, open countryside near town.
Scenic waterfront and clifftop running in Seaford, located 12 miles east of Brighton. 1.5 miles of a paved seaside promenade, and then good-surfaced trails on the cliffs overlooking the water at the Seaford Head Nature Reserve. Beach also good for running!
Scenic waterfront running along the Eastbourne Promenade in this scenic resort town known for its seafront Victorian hotels and 19th-century pier. The path runs for 4 miles between Helen Garden and Sovereign Harbour, with additional paths in the parks.
Nearly 6 miles of waterfront running on wide seafront promenade paths between Brexhill & Hastings. Great Channel Coast views, and cliffs as you head east toward Hastings. One fun option: do the full 6 miles and take the train back!
Explore historic Hastings, run up the castle, do a loop around West Hill and then run up East Hill/ Ecclesbourne glen to explore the gorgeous clifftop trails of Hastings Country Park. Fantastic views on through woodland, meadows, grassland, farmland.
In the port city of Folkestone, a seafront promenade runs for 6.4 miles west to Hythe Beach. Great views of the Channel and Strait of Dover the whole way. Some additional paths just inland along the way.
Scenic waterfront promenade in Deal, which lies where the North Sea and the English Channel meet. Overall it's 3.4 miles between Kingsdown Beach and Sandown, great water views the whole way.
Nearly 6 miles of scenic waterfront running on a wide, paved promenade from Broadstairs north through Kingsgate, Margate, and Westgate. Great views of the North Sea.
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Essentials
Up to 6.5 miles one-way on paths from Dover to Kingsdown. A good 10k is to St. Margaret's Beach
Rolling hills
National Trust Visitor Center
Car park at the Visitor Center. Buses run between the towns. The Dover train station is 1.5 miles from the Cliffs. Train runs between Dover and Deal
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Share your feedback on this route and see that of other Great Runs users. Click on the image icon to upload a photo. And please let us know if there are notes or changes we should incorporate!