Rye High Street looking towards the medieval Landgate arch

Rye to Camber cycle route: cycling and bike hire from Camber Sands

Pancake-flat, largely traffic-free, and with an ice cream at one end and a medieval town at the other. The Rye to Camber cycle path is part of National Cycle Route 2, which runs right through the village.

Camber, on the East Sussex coast, sits on National Cycle Network Route 2, the South Coast route from Dover towards Cornwall. The Rye to Camber cycle route is a signed, mostly off-road path of about three miles (5 km) from Rye station to the village, 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.

The Rye to Camber cycle route at a glance

Distance: About 3 miles (5 km) each way between Rye railway station and Camber village. Allow 20 to 30 minutes at an easy pace.
Route: National Cycle Network Route 2. The path is part of the Rye Ride, a 9.2 mile (14.8 km) section of NCN 2 from Rye station to Lydd.
Surface: A surfaced shared-use path beside Camber Road for most of the way, with a short stretch on quiet roads through Camber village. Give way to walkers.
Gradient: None to speak of. The whole ride is flat, which makes it ideal for children, e-bikes and anyone out of practice.
Map: Walk Wheel Cycle Trust: Rye Ride route map, from the charity that looks after the National Cycle Network.

What you see along the way

Leaving Rye, the route crosses the River Rother and heads out across the levels towards the sea. Look out for Northpoint Water, the large lake used by windsurfers and dinghy sailors, a chain of flooded gravel pits where herons fish and wetland birds gather in winter, and the fairways of Rye Golf Club. Then the dunes appear, and you roll into Camber with the sea on your right. Visiting by bike is a good plan on sunny weekends, when the Camber car parks fill early.

Joining the path, and cafés and pubs on the way

From Rye station, follow the blue NCN Route 2 signs through the town and over the river. From Beachside Cottage, pick up the path at the Rye end of the village and ride it in reverse. At the Camber end, The Owl serves food and welcomes dogs, and Harry’s at The Gallivant is across from the dunes. In Rye there are pubs and cafés on almost every street; Knoops does hot chocolate made to order, and the Mermaid Inn and the Standard Inn are a short push up the cobbles.

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. At the cottage, bikes go in the garage.
By train: Rye station (Marshlink line) is about 25 minutes from Ashford International. Rye to Camber is a three-mile ride from the station.
Electric bikes: Fat-tyre e-bikes can be hired in the village from Camber Kitesurfing, which takes the effort out of a headwind.
Route maps: Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, Rye Ride and National Cycle Route 2

More cycle routes from Camber: Lydd, Romney Marsh and Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

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, follow them through the town and across 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, first along the sea wall and then inland on a cycle path set back from the road towards Lydd, passing old gravel quarries that are now bird sanctuaries. Some sections between Camber and Lydd use fast roads, so this is one for confident riders. From Lydd, continue out across the shingle to Dungeness: fishermen’s shacks, two lighthouses and the Romney, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway terminus. Bring layers; it is exposed.

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.

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

Flat, well-maintained tracksBird hides and a caféNature lovers and families

Flat tracks with bird hides and the Discovery Centre for coffee, run by the Sussex Wildlife Trust. Keep to the signed routes; the shingle is a nesting site for rare birds. Ride back to Rye and on to Camber to make a coastal loop.

The Royal Military Canal

Rye to Appledore and beyondSheltered on breezy days

A serene green corridor along the marsh edge, and the ride to choose when the coast is blowy.

West towards Hastings

NCN Route 2 westboundHillier, more road ridingExperienced riders

Heading west from Rye, National Cycle Network Route 2 continues towards Hastings and Pevensey. Winchelsea, England’s smallest town, is about two miles from Rye and makes a good first stop. Beyond it the riding is hillier and uses more roads than the ride to Camber, so check the route map before you set off, and remember the train can bring you back along the coast.