Thanet Coastal Path

The Thanet Coastal Path is 32.44 km long with 418 m of elevation gain, so most hikers split it over two easy days or complete it as a long full-day coastal walk. The route follows the Kent coast past places such as Margate, Broadstairs, Ramsgate, and Pegwell Bay, with generally straightforward terrain for a multi-day trail.

The Thanet Coastal Path is commonly described as running from the Thanet boundary near Reculver to Pegwell Bay on the Isle of Thanet coast. Along the way it passes major seaside towns including Margate, Broadstairs, and Ramsgate, linking long stretches of cliff-top and promenade walking.

Key highlights on the Thanet Coastal Path include the long chalk cliff coastline of Thanet, the clifftop section toward Botany Bay, and the coastal towns of Margate, Broadstairs, and Ramsgate. The route also reaches Pegwell Bay, an important natural area known for birdlife and wide open coastal views.

The Thanet Coastal Path is rated easy, and its 32.44 km distance is spread over mostly accessible coastal walking with a modest 418 m of total ascent. That makes it a realistic option for beginners with decent fitness, especially when walked in shorter sections between towns such as Broadstairs, Ramsgate, and Margate.

Yes. The Thanet Coastal Path is well suited to public transport because Ramsgate, Broadstairs, and Margate all have railway stations, and local buses connect the main towns around the coast. Thanet also has a frequent local bus network linking the seafront towns, which makes one-way walks much easier to plan.

Parking for the Thanet Coastal Path is available in the main coastal towns it passes through. Thanet District Council lists car parks including Mill Lane Car Park in Margate, St Peter’s Park Road Car Park in Broadstairs, and Cannon Road Car Park in Ramsgate, all useful access points for walking different sections.

Dogs can be walked along cliff-top sections of the Thanet Coastal Path, including parts of the English Coast Path around Thanet and areas near Pegwell Bay Country Park. Beach access rules can vary seasonally on the Thanet coast, so the clifftop path is usually the more reliable option for a continuous dog walk.