Crest & Canopy: The Deer Park & Downs Circuit (28K Loop from Sevenoaks)

A relentless roller-coaster of woodland ridges, historic parkland and hidden Kent valleys

Leave the city behind for a 28-kilometre loop through the Kent Downs National Landscape! This is not a flat countryside amble. It is a continuous, rolling, high-effort circuit with barely a level stretch, built for hikers who love to climb, descend and climb again.
We start by walking straight into Knole Park, the ancient deer park on the edge of Sevenoaks, before heading out across the Weald. From there we climb to the viewpoints of Bayley's Hill, roll through the hilltop village of Ide Hill, and push up into the deep beech and chestnut woods of Octavia Hill Woodland and the Brasted ridge. That is the high point of the day at around 240 m. Then we loop back through Chevening and Riverhead for a long, satisfying descent to Sevenoaks.

\If you are signing up from EventBrite, please message hike leader on WhatsApp (check logistics section for details) and request to be added to the WhatsApp Group for the hike. All details once you sign up are posted there for easy and efficient comms. We don't share WhatsApp link on Eventbrite to prevent spams.

📊 THE TRAIL SPECS

Grade: Strenous 🥾🥾🥾
Distance: ~28 km
Elevation Gain: ~850 m (in constant rolling ups and downs)
Highest Point: ~243 m
Duration: ~7 to 7.5 hours moving, ~8 hours including stops (no guarantees)
Terrain: Woodland tracks, open parkland, field paths, steep short climbs and long ridge descents

🕓 SCHEDULE & LOGISTICS

MEETING TIME: 8:36 AM at Sevenoaks Station. There are regular trains from London Charing Cross, Cannon Street and London Bridge (roughly 30 to 40 minutes).
TICKETS: Return ticket to Sevenoaks.
HIKE START: 8: 42 AM sharp at Sevenoaks Station.
LUNCH: Packed lunch on the trail
HIKE FINISH: ~17:30 back in Sevenoaks. (No guarantees!)
Hike leader contact - +447865278687

🌲 THE SCENIC LINEUP

🦌 Knole Park: Ancient deer park with veteran trees and roaming herds, right on the doorstep of the start.
🌳 Hubbards Hill & Bayley's Hill: Quiet Kent Downs woodland and some of the first big climbs of the day.
🏡 Ide Hill: A picture-perfect hilltop village with a green and far-reaching views across the Weald.
🍂 Octavia Hill Woodland & Brasted Ridge: The summit stretch of the hike, through thick woodland at the day's highest point.
🏰 Chevening & Riverhead: Rolling farmland and downland on the long return leg.
🍻 Post-Hike Celebration: We finish in Sevenoaks for food, a cold drink and good company.

👥 WHO IS THIS HIKE FOR?

Made for confident hikers , trail runners , runners in genreral or anyone who has the required endurance to enjoy long day and hills. With 28km and around 850 m of climbing in short, sharp rolling sections, you will need good endurance and a fast walking pace. We keep breaks efficient to finish in daylight.
Not suitable for beginners.

🎒 MANDATORY KIT

✅ Trail shoes or hiking boots with good grip (paths can be muddy and slippery) ✅ Layers and a waterproof jacket ✅ Headtorch (essential in autumn and winter) ✅ Packed lunch, snacks, and at least 2 litres of water ✅ Contactless card or train ticket

🎟️ HOW TO JOIN

RSVP below to lock in your spot and join the team! 🌐 Website: golondonhiking.co.uk 📸 Instagram: @golondonhiking