Ride9
RIDE 9
The Kent Hills
Distance: 75km
Difficulty: A hard ride, some very steep hills
Time: 3–5 hours
This route is a leg buster, covering Kent’s biggest climbs including the infamously steep Toy’s Hill. Start at Crystal Palace and, within minutes, you’ll be zipping along rambling country lanes. At the top of Beddlestead the view opens out to reveal why Kent is called the Garden of England. There are some other awe-inspiring sights, including the ancient Pilgrims Way and Bough Beech Reservoir. Remember to reserve energy for Anerley, the final climb – if it doesn’t finish you off, then glide (mostly) downhill to legendary cycling cafe Four Boroughs, the ideal place to put your feet up and swap horror stories.
How to follow the route
We recommend a free app called BikeGPX (no login required).
Once installed, follow the link below to access the route.
Alternatively you can download the gpx file and use it in a cycling app.
Ride with GPS and Strava are great but you will need a subscription.
You can also view the route on Google Maps (but this option cannot be used for point-to-point navigation).
Safety tips
Make sure you can safely attach your phone to your bike – you can find holders online here - and remember to focus on your surroundings as well as the screen.
Please cycle responsibly: always wear a helmet and remember to account for the distance of the journey. It’s also good to have the map downloaded, in case you lose signal while on the road.
Make sure you can safely attach your phone to your bike – you can find holders online here - and remember to focus on your surroundings as well as the screen.