Rye High Street looking towards the medieval Landgate arch

Cycling routes from Camber Sands

Pancake-flat, largely traffic-free, and with an ice cream at one end and a medieval town at the other. National Cycle Route 2 runs right through the village.

Camber sits on National Cycle Network Route 2, the South Coast route from Dover towards Cornwall. The Rye to Camber link is a signed, mostly off-road path of about three miles, and beyond it lie the flat lanes of Romney Marsh, the shingle of Dungeness and the level tracks of Rye Harbour. No hills, big skies, and the wind as your only gradient.

Who it suits

Families and beginners on the Rye to Camber path; leisure riders on the marsh lanes; anyone who wants a car-free day out. Bikes are easily carried on the train to Rye.

Bike hire: Camber Kitesurfing at 123 Lydd Road in the village hires bikes and fat-tyre e-bikes. camberkitesurfing.com
Terrain: Flat throughout. Shared-use paths (give way to walkers), quiet marsh lanes and some short road sections through Camber village. The Rye to Camber path rejoins the road briefly at the village.
Wind: The one thing to plan around. Start into the breeze so the ride home is kinder. Check the forecast before longer marsh rides.
Cycle parking: Available at Camber’s main beach car parks, and at the cottage (two parking spaces; please ask about secure storage).
By train: Rye station (Marshlink line) is about 25 minutes from Ashford International. Rye to Camber is a three-mile ride from the station.
Route maps: Sustrans, National Cycle Route 2

Routes

Rye to Camber Sands (and back)

About 3 miles each wayNCN Route 2Largely traffic-freeFamilies

Pick up the blue NCN 2 signs near Rye station, pass through the Landgate and cross the River Rother, then leave the traffic for a dedicated path beside the Camber road, with reed-filled streams, small lakes and the golf course for company, before rolling into the village. From the cottage you can ride it in reverse for lunch in Rye and be back for the afternoon low tide.

Camber to Dungeness via Lydd

About 9 miles each wayCycle path and marsh lanesLighthouses at the end

Follow NCN 2 east from Camber on the cycle path towards Lydd, then continue out across the shingle to Dungeness: fishermen’s shacks, two lighthouses and the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway terminus. Bring layers; it is exposed. Loop back to Camber via Lydd for an easy circuit.

Romney Marsh lanes

As far as you likeQuiet country lanesMarsh churches

The pancake-flat lanes of Romney Marsh cover distance without effort, with windmills, sheep, hawthorn hedges and the lonely marsh churches (Fairfield is the one everyone photographs). NCN 2 continues across the marsh to Hythe if you want a big day out.