Medway Valley Walk

The Medway Valley Walk is 46.79 km long with about 399 m of total ascent, so most hikers complete it in 2 days at a moderate pace. Strong walkers sometimes cover it in a long single day, but the route is generally better suited to a relaxed multi-day outing because it is a linear walk between Tonbridge and Rochester.

The Medway Valley Walk is generally considered an easy long-distance trail. Over 46.79 km it gains 399 m, which is modest for a route of this length, and much of the walk follows the River Medway through the Kent valley rather than climbing steep high ground. The main challenge is distance rather than technical terrain.

The route runs between Tonbridge and Rochester in Kent, following the River Medway through the valley. Tonbridge and Rochester are both practical end points for a linear walk, and both towns have rail stations, which makes it straightforward to start at one end and return from the other by train.

Yes. The Medway Valley Walk is well suited to a car-free day or weekend because both end points are served by rail. Tonbridge station is on Barden Road, TN9 1TT, and Rochester station is on Corporation Street, ME1 1NH, so the walk can be started in Tonbridge and finished in Rochester, or done in reverse, without needing a car.

The Medway Valley Walk uses public rights of way, and in Medway dogs are allowed on footpaths if kept on a lead or under close control. There are also specific dog-control areas in some parks and roadside sections where leads are required, so the route is generally dog friendly but not completely off-leash from end to end.

Spring through early fall usually offers the best conditions for the Medway Valley Walk, when riverside paths are drier and daylight is longer for covering distance between Tonbridge and Rochester. Because the route follows the River Medway for much of its length, wetter winter periods can bring muddy ground and localized flooding on low-lying sections.