NCN 18 - Canterbury to Royal Tunbridge Wells
NCN 18 - Canterbury to Royal Tunbridge Wells is a 102.8 km road cycling route in London & South East with 1218 m of climbing, about 16% of it off road, and it splits into about 2 days at a moderate pace.
The route runs from Canterbury west to Royal Tunbridge Wells across the Kent Downs and the High Weald, so the terrain rises as you go. The Kent Downs section is relatively contained, but by the time you reach the Weald the climbing comes in repeated short pitches through Pembury, Brenchley and Riseden. About sixteen percent of the surface is off road. The line passes through a long run of small settlements before the towns close in at Ashford and again at Tunbridge Wells.
Worth knowing before you go
Ashford is the main resupply point and sits roughly three-quarters of the way along from Canterbury; Wye, Chilham and Chartham are on the line before it and carry you through the quieter eastern half. The stretch between Iden Green and High Halden is the longest gap between settlements and the one place where the route is genuinely remote. Navigation through the Tunbridge Wells end is more involved, with Groombridge, Nevill Park, Ramslye and Hawkenbury all close together in a short distance.
NCN 18 - Canterbury to Royal Tunbridge Wells in numbers
- Distance: 102.8 km
- Climbing: 1218 m
- Off road: 17 km, about 16% of the route
- Riding time: about 7 hours, roughly 2 days at a moderate pace
Water, food, campsites and stations along this route are shown on the interactive map.
Plan it and ride it
The map on this page carries the surface breakdown, the elevation profile and every point of interest. You can split the route into days against your own pace, see what it will cost to ride, and take it with you. Download the GPX.
Read the NCN 18 - Canterbury to Royal Tunbridge Wells route guide.
Getting to the start without flying · Browse all routes
Route from Sustrans.
Compiled by Ed Hunton, Cicerone guidebook author, from TourTrax's own route data.