Xiaohongshu
Discover Project Active Postgraduate Hike: Dover to Deal
What to expect at Project Active Hikes:
The hike from Dover to Deal is a scenic coastal walk that’s perfect for a mix of fresh air, views, and a bit of adventure. The route follows the famous White Cliffs of Dover, offering dramatic sea views and plenty of great photo spots along the way. 📸 It’s around 8 miles (13 km) and takes around 3-4 hours to walk at a steady pace. The route is well-marked with gentle hills and the seaside town of Deal is ideal for relaxing by the beach or grabbing a bite to eat.🏖️🍔
👇Key Info:
📐 DISTANCE: 17.72km
👣 TERRAIN: Rough unsurfaced paths that may become muddy!
🏔️ TOTAL ASCENT: 488m
⚖️ DIFFICULTY: Moderate 🔵 (See Difficulty Grading Scale (🟢🔵🔴⚫) below)
💰 TRAIN TICKET COST: approx. £27.55 with a 16–25 Railcard (recommended) [https://uclhiking.org/e/railcard]
⌚ MEETING INFO: Morning departure from London St Pancras Station (exact details after ticket sign-up)
⏱️Expected Day Schedule :
- Morning departure from London St Pancras Station (exact details after ticket sign-up).
- Around 67 minutes travelling together to Dover Priory. Take the time to get to know others on the !
- Around 6 hours on the trail🚶including stops for snacks and lunch!
- Finish the near Deal station, return to London by early evening (~17:00-18:00).
- Optional: local pub/café stop 🍻☕ to relax after the hike - everyone welcome! Grab a cold beer or maybe even a hot chocolate to wind down at the end of the day.
Please note: Our Walk Leaders will guide the group, keeping everyone together and helping with navigation from front to back 👣
- Difficulty Grading Scale (🟢🔵🔴⚫):
🟢 Green – Beginner
Short, gentle walks on easy terrain (5–15 km, low elevation). Perfect for first-timers and anyone wanting a relaxed introduction to hiking.🔵 Blue – Moderate
Moderate distance or slightly more uneven ground (15–25 km, rolling hills, varied terrain). Great for those who’ve done a couple of hikes and are ready for the next step.🔴 Red – Challenging
Challenging routes with longer distances (20–30 km), bigger climbs, or sustained hills. Best suited to hikers with good fitness and some prior experience.⚫ Black – Difficult
Demanding residential hikes with mountain terrain, technical sections, or long days (30–40 km). Previous hiking experience is essential.⚫⚫ Double Black – Extreme
Rare, “epic” challenges such as marathon-length days, exposed mountain ridges, or multi-day treks with tough conditions. Only suitable for highly experienced and well-prepared hikers.
- ❓FAQs and ℹ️ Useful Info:
🎒 WHAT TO BRING:
- Good waterproof shoes/trainers you don’t mind getting muddy
- Raincoat 🌧️ / sunscreen 🌤️ depending on weather
- Some snacks 🍪, 0.5-1L water 💧, and a rucksack/bag 🎒 to carry it all
👥 Group Size & Leaders
- We expect to have around 30 people joining this event, so plenty of opportunity to mix and meet new faces.
- We have multiple Walk Leaders on every walk to keep things safe, help with directions, and make sure no one gets left behind 🦺
🚻 Facilities & Food
- Facilities along the way are limited, so pack your own snacks, and plenty of water 💧
- Toilets will not be available until the end of the walk where there will be local cafes and shops 🚻
🌦️ Weather & Cancellation
- Walks/hikes go ahead rain 🌧️ or shine ☀️, unless conditions become very unsafe 🌩️.
- We will also be keeping an eye out for train and tube strikes and will aim to plan around these!
- If we need to cancel due to weather or other last-minute issues, we’ll always try to give everyone at least 36 hours’ notice ⏰.
If you have any questions about this Hike, please do get in touch with us at [email protected]
To find out more about the Hiking Club please see here! Please also feel free to get in touch with the Hiking club via email, Instagram or Members WhatsApp Chat