Crab & Winkle Way cycle route overall rating: ⭐⭐
The Crab & Winkle Way is a 7.5 mile mostly traffic-free route. It takes its name from the old Canterbury – Whitstable Line, which ran between Canterbury and Whitstable in Kent. Most of the route today follows the old railway, but despite that, the route is not flat. The steepest gradient is just over 7%, which is steep enough to make you feel it.
As a compensation, the route runs through the lovely Blean Woods, plus you’ll be rewarded with great sea views.
Photos are by Nadine Ansorg and Angus
Surface on the Crab & Winkle Way
The surface varies a bit. In parts it is decent tar, but much of it is self-compacting gravel. Nevertheless, it should be rideable all year round, without turning into a mud bath (but you’ll benefit from having mudguards!)
Bikes
Most standard bikes should be able to use the route, but trikes and most cargo bikes will struggle.
Toilets
There are toilets at Canterbury West strain station, and also at various places in Whitstable.
Refreshments
There are various refreshment stops in Canterbury, as well as in Whitstable.
Points of Interest
Canterbury cathedral is stunning and imposing, and Blean Woods are being rewilded, with plans to introduce various new animals.
Routes in Kent
Barriers
Sadly, there are A-frame barriers along this route, and it’s unlikely that trikes, or most cargo bikes will be able to get through.
Cycle Hire
You can hire bikes from Kent Cycles in Canterbury.
Ratings
Safety: ⭐⭐⭐
Hilliness: ⭐⭐⭐
Refreshment stops: ⭐⭐
Barriers: ⭐
Surface: ⭐⭐⭐
Overall: ⭐⭐
Forecast for the Crab & Winkle Way
What the Crab & Winkle Way looks like
Getting to the Crab and Winkle Way
I started the route at the Canterbury West train station, and it passes right by the Whitstable station. However, while it remains possible to get between the two by train, it also involves travelling to Faversham and changing trains there. Before thinking of taking your bike on the train, do read my Bikes On Trains guide first.
More Routes
To find more routes, click this link.
Interactive map for the Crab & Winkle Way
You can download the GPX file from the map below, simply by clicking the GPX button. Hovering over the elevation profile will show the elevation for that point along the route, in both metres and feet. It will also show the gradient.
And finally…
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