Plan your own hiking routes using the website of Canterbury's tourist board at Canterbury.co.uk. You can find details of several walks in the area including trails around the site of the old city walls, ghost walks and treks leading out of the city into the Kent countryside. You can find walks through ancient woodlands and historic farmsteads just outside of Canterbury. Follow the route of the Canterbury Pilgrims or enjoy a hike along the Crab and Winkle Way, seven miles along an old railway line between Canterbury and Whitstable.
Use resources such as the Walking in Kent website at Walkinginkent.co.uk to plan your hiking routes. You can download maps of walks from Canterbury across Kent, buy books about hiking in the area and find links to local walking groups. Forecasts for walking weather are also available on this site.
Book an organized walking tour in Canterbury if you prefer somebody else to do your planning. Walk Awhile at Walkawhile.co.uk offers a five-day tour on the Pilgrims Way from Rochester to Canterbury and a Discover Rural Kent tour that begins in Canterbury and follows the North Downs until you reach the market town of Wye. World Walks at Worldwalks.com runs an eight-day tour on the Saxon Shore route, leaving from Canterbury to explore the White Cliffs of Dover, Romney Marsh and the North Downs. The hike finishes in the seaside town of Hastings.
Prepare for the English weather. Although summers can be warm in Canterbury, heavy rain showers can occur year round, so pack waterproof clothing whenever you go hiking in the area. Winters can be cold, so if you are hiking between September and March, make sure you wear layers including fleece jackets, hat, gloves and a warm waterproof coat. Take changes of clothes as well.
Sample some English culture at the end of your hike. A good walk in England traditionally ends with a pint of real ale in a decent pub. Try the White Hart pub near Canterbury Cathedral. It has a large beer garden and serves cask ales alongside home-cooked food.
