A steep hike at Alkham
From the car park, walk down the edge of playing fields and turn right through a gap in the hedge at the far end, by the footbridge. Turn left along the path for a few paces to emerge at the end of a cul-de-sac (Short Lane) by houses. Turn briefly left and look for a narrow, fenced path running off right beside a house called Valhalla.
Walk up between the houses and cross two stiles into fields, then walk half left up the sloping pastures beyond, crossing stiles where necessary (there may be temporary paddock fencing here) until you reach the left corner of a patch of woodland. Skirt around the wood, bearing left where the path forks, and cross a stile into a belt of trees beyond (a tricky scramble – the path is steep and slippery).
Follow the path through the trees, then take another stile into a paddock. Keep left along the field edge, cross a stile and continue diagonally left, crossing a couple of fields to reach a lane.
Cross the road and take the path opposite, bearing half left again toward barns on the crest of the hill. In 0.75 miles (1.2km) reach the corner of a field. Go through the gate towards St Radigund’s Abbey Farm.
Follow the farm track around the left of the buildings and walk past the abbey gatehouse, passing a water tower on your left and crossing a cattle grid onto a road at a junction. Turn left along Abbey Road, signed ‘Capel-le-Ferne and Folkestone’, and stroll gently downhill for about 500yds (457m).
Bear left round a bend, then take the path (ER177) on your right into the woods beyond. Climb beside a field, then descend through more woodland.
When you meet a crossing path, turn left and continue downhill, passing a steep bank to your right. Go through a metal gate and carry on, skirting the shoulder of the hill, down to the village on a chalky path.
Bear left though a gate at the end of a hedgeline and walk past some houses, soon leaving the footpath and emerging onto Short Lane, a residential road. Walk straight on, passing ‘Valhalla’ again on your left. You are now back on the route you followed at the start of the walk. At the end of the road, turn right along the conifer path back to the playing fields, and return to the car park.
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Walking in Safety
Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.
Get an AA guide
Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.
Nearby places to stay
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- Rooms 2
- Free TV
- DVD Player
- Wifi
- Rooms 6
- Free TV
- Wifi
- Open parking





