Dover to Deal

(Our overall day number 73 - Part of The KC3 ECP Leg 26 - Folkestone to Ramsgate)

Dover to Deal

16th February 2025 | Miles 10.1 | Elevation gain 968ft

Just over ten miles, up out of Dover past the ferry terminal, and then onto the white cliffs proper - the path is highly accessible at this point, there's a car park and so lots of folks around. The crowds thin out and then all but disappear with the descent into St Margaret's Bay and then the immediate climb out. From the top of the cliff, you can see the pier at Deal in the distance, and after a sharp descent into Kingsdown, the path is at sea level all the way to Deal.
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Getting there and back
We caught the train to Dover Priory, walked to Deal, and then train back to Folkestone at the end of the day - this whole stretch is well served by the train
Weather conditions
Partly cloudy but dry. The biting easterly wind made it feel super cold!
Walking difficulty
Moderate - not quite the elevation of the previous day, and overall easier paths (less mud), but still a climb out of Dover and then a descent into St Margaret's Bay only to climb right back out - the final three miles are flat.

The story of our day in photos

Tide's out at the little pink house in Folkestone
Heading out from Dover
To join the path along the front
And then up past the ferry terminal, under the white cliffs
Looking down on the ferry terminal
And backwards from the path up towards the White Cliffs
Dover Castle
More ferry terminal
And more!
Heading onto The White Cliffs of Dover
It's a well marked, well trodden and accessible path
There's a descent into St Margaret's Bay and then this climb out
Looking back at St Margaret's Bay
Down towards Kingsdown, Walmer & Deal
Coming into Deal to finish the day's walking
Useful links
Buritto Buoy, Folkestone
Decent Mexican food and cocktails as well!
The Beer Shop, Folkestone
Excellent craft beer in the centre of Folkestone
Rocksalt, Folkestone
Posh, mainly seafood, restaurant, right on the front. Had a lovely dinner here on Saturday night
The Port Arms, Deal
Lovely pub on the seafront - we had a pint and a snack here after our walk on Sunday, while waiting for the train to Folkestone
The Taphouse, Deal
Brilliant craft beer bar, we had a (nother) pint here while waiting for the train back to Folkestone after our walk on Sunday. ** Update - sadly looks like this shut down in May 2025 to allow residential development - aagh 😒
The Ship Inn, Folkestone
Old fashioned pub serving pub food - we ate here on Sunday night
The New Inn, Sandwich
Nice pub by the water, we had a drink here after our walk on Monday, while waiting for our train back to Folkestone
Bella Vita, Folkestone
Decent Italian food - we ate here on Monday
Battle of Britain Memorial, Capel-le-Ferne
On the path, top of the cliffs, after the big climb out of Folkestone. The skies above here were named Hellfire Corner. It's brilliant and well worth a visit - it was so cold that we only spent 15 minutes here but we'd go back!
National Trails for this leg
Link to the National trails information for this leg