London to Paris Cycle – Self-Guided (5 Days, Dover-Calais)

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About & Details

Itinerary

• Day 1 - London Greenwich to Ashford

  The first stage follows flat cycle lanes besides minor roads but with some busier sections to bring you out of London. After Dartford, you’ll climb over two outliers of the North Downs before descending into Rochester via crossing Medway.

  You’ll then leave Rochester for a steep climb over the chalk ridge of North Downs at Blue Bell Hill. Next follow the medieval pilgrim’s way for the next 28km, moving over the undulating southern slopes of the downs. You’ll pass a series of spring-line villages before descending to the growth town of Ashford. This stage uses a mixture of quiet country roads and off-road tracks, some of which can be muddy and wet.

  61 miles (98km)

• Day 2 - Ashford to Desvres

  After Ashford, follow the gently undulating road heading south to cross the edge of Romney marsh. The route flattens as you follow the Royal Military canal to Hythe and the coastal promenade to Folkestone. Here the route climbs steeply to run above the white cliffs before descending to reach Dover and the ferry terminal in the Eastern Docks.

  You’ll then cross the channel to arrive at Calais. From Calais, the ride levels out taking you into Guines along a canal towpath and a disused railway. This stage uses minor roads that undulate over chalk downland before ending in Desvres, famous for ceramics and tiles.

  72 miles (116km)

• Day 3 - Desvres to Abbeville

  Coming out of Desvres, there’s a short, steep climb. But don’t fret! We all know the saying “what comes up must come down”, meaning once you’re out of Desvres you’ll have a very exhilarating and long downhill descent into Neuville-sous-Montreuil. This descent follows a minor road into the pretty Valley of the Course which runs just south of Desvres and passes through a series of small villages and farms.

  From here, the route turns east and follows the Canche valley to a gently undulating minor road towards Hesdin.

  Coming out from Hesdin you’re faced with a steep climb and undulating roads across the wide-open chalk downland of the Ponthieu. You’ll pass large fields, a few trees, and only the occasional village. You then descend into three small valleys, one holding the town Crécy-en-Ponthieu where the English defeated the French in the Battle of Crécy in 1346. Towards the end, the route descends into the Scardon valley to follow a voie verte into Abbeville.

  56 miles (90km)

• Day 4 - Abbeville to Beauvais

  From Abbeville, there’s a much-welcomed flat stage that takes you into Amiens. Your route follows the towpath of the canalised river Somme, all the way from the outskirts of Abbeville to the centre of Amiens. A few riverside villages are passed, but no major towns.

  A shorter day leaves Amiens by crossing a low ridge before following the Selle valley on a gently rising grade. This route uses minor roads and the Coulée Verte (green corridor) along an old railway. You’ll pass the head of the valley and cross chalk downland to a hilltop and the town of Crévecœur-le-Grand. Minor roads are used to descend into the Thérain valley to reach Beauvais.

  69 miles (111km)

• Day 5 - Beauvais to the Eiffel Tower

  South of Beauvais, take the direct route to Paris which crosses a limestone plateau known as Vexin. To avoid the high ground, this stage follows the attractive Thérain valley south-east from Beauvais to its junction with the Oise. There’s a small climb to cross a low ridge before descending into the town of Chantilly, a racehorse training town. Cycling from Beauvais to Chantilly is a slightly undulating route.

  From Chantilly, you’ll begin climbing to the edge of the Paris basin, before descending into the banlieue (suburbs) of Greater Paris. In the beginning, this route starts by traversing forests and fields, before stretching into mostly roadside cycle tracks.

  The final 11 miles (17km) takes you from St Denis market to the Eiffel Tower in Paris. This route follows urban canal towpaths, city side streets through the Marais, and a cycle track beside the boulevards leading to the Eiffel Tower on the left bank of the river Seine. Take a picture by the Eiffel Tower to document your achievement.

  64 miles (102km)

• Day 6 - Rest day and return home

  The final day is a rest day. Use this day to explore the sites of Paris. Why not visit the museum or gallery before travelling back to the UK?

Notes:

This itinerary is a guide only. It can be subject to change dependent upon viability, course members’ fitness, weather conditions, accommodation availability, or for any other reason deemed necessary. All timings and mileages are approximate and for guidance purpose only.

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