Cycling UK launches the Cantii Way

Launching today (26th May), the Cantii Way, is a 145-mile (234 km) cycling route beginning and ending in the village of Wye, close to Ashford in Kent. The route takes in diverse scenery and the rich history of an area often referred to as the ‘Garden of England’.

The route is designed to be a perfect introduction to multi-day cycling and can be ridden in one go, over three to four days or can be split up into sections and cycled over several weekends, with regular train stations along its length. Utilising a combination of quiet country lanes, byways and bridleways, it is manageable by anyone of reasonable fitness, and whilst it is best tackled on a gravel or touring bike, the Cantii Way is do-able on most bikes apart from road bikes.

Making use of part of the North Downs Way Riders’ Route that Cycling UK launched in 2018 in collaboration with Kent Downs AONB, the Cantii Way takes riders deep into Kent’s rich history, vibrant modern culture and natural beauty.

The route is named after the Cantii, an Iron Age Celtic tribe that Julius Caesar encountered on his abortive conquest of England in 54 BCE, it is from them that both the county of Kent and city of Canterbury derive their names.

Passing through well-known destinations such as Canterbury, Whitstable and Dover, there are plenty of cultural opportunities to make the most of, and with orchards, vineyards, hop-drying oast houses and local farms along the way, the route can be equal parts culinary and cycling tour if you want it to be.