Pilgrims Way Challenge 2023
Saturday 10 June 2023
The Pilgrims Way Challenge is back on Saturday 10 June 2023!
Online entries for the Pilgrims Way Challenge 2023 have now closed. However, don't worry if you missed out, you can still register to take part on Saturday 10th June with our On the Day entry!
Simply arrive at the following venue and start time to match the hike distance you wish to take part in and head for the On the Day registration desk.
- 55km participants (07:30-08:30am): Wye Village Hall, Bridge St, Wye, TN25 5EA
- 25km participants (08:30-09:30am): Wye Village Hall, Bridge St, Wye, TN25 5EA
- 35km participants (10:00-11:00am): Ann Robertson Centre, London Rd, Canterbury, CT2 8JA
On the Day entry is priced at £45. Please note that both venues do not have on-site parking. Please park legally and respectfully nearby if arriving by car.
Lace up your walking boots, or running shoes, and enjoy the rural beauty of one of England’s oldest and least-trodden national trails. Starting from the picturesque village of Wye, nestled in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, follow the Pilgrims Way, through the scenic Stour Valley, to the historic cathedral city of Canterbury. Then, onward via the North Downs Way to a coastal finish inside the impressive Dover Castle overlooking the English Channel. Along the way, you’ll pass through ancient woodland, rolling fields and charming villages, as well as a few challenging climbs through the undulating geography of the Garden of England.
Photos from the Pilgrims Way Challenge 2022 can be viewed in our Facebook gallery here.
Click here to read the Pilgrims Way Challenge Pre-event Information Sheet
The routes
With three distances to choose from, the Pilgrims Way Challenge is perfect for people of varying fitness levels.
Stroll through a charming village of oast houses and period cottages, and soak in an immense sky while surrounded by endless green fields. Rolling hillside views, quiet country lanes, historic buildings and ancient woodland all await you. Walking, or running, the Pilgrims Way between Wye and Dover really has it all.
Wye - Canterbury: 25km (15.5 miles) - sign in between 8.30am-9.30am - View map
From the picturesque village of Wye near Ashford, pass through rolling farmland before climbing up onto the Soakham Downs. From here, the next few miles are dominated by King's Wood, where pilgrims banded together as protection against robbers. Then, a long gradual descent takes you past ancient, timber-framed houses into the pretty hilltop village of Chilham. A short climb to the intriguingly named Old Wives Lees is followed by pushing through extensive orchards and a nature reserve before enjoying views of Canterbury's magnificent Cathedral and reaching the finish line. Total elevation gain: 312m
Canterbury - Dover: 35km (21.7 miles) - sign in between 10am-11am - View map
The route leads through the historic heart of Canterbury and out into vast fields, passing the farming villages of Hode, Patrixbourne and Womenswold, with a view of the magnificent Georgian mansion at Higham Park before a steady ascent towards Shepherdswell. Soon after, you pass the grand Waldershare House and its impressive mews before following the path of an old Roman road that ran between Richborough and Dover. Finally, descend towards Dover as you catch your first glimpse of the sea before a final testing climb to reach the finish line inside the impressive inner bailey of Dover Castle. Total elevation gain: 334m
Wye - Canterbury - Dover: 55km (34 miles) - sign in between 7.30am-8.30am - View map
Take on the ultimate test of endurance and enjoy both sections of the Pilgrims Way described above in one day! After leaving Wye village in the morning and experiencing all the natural beauty east Kent has to offer through the day, arriving at Dover Castle, your final destination, will be a welcome sight. Total elevation gain: 597m
What's on offer?
This fully supported event includes:
- Posted pre-event pack
- Event technical T-shirt
- Regular rest stops with drinks and snacks
- Fully signed route
- Free event app with live position tracking
- Event medical support
- Recovery vehicles
- Finisher medal
Entry also includes a hot meal at the Canterbury hospice (25km finish and the halfway point for 55km hikers) and soup and a roll at the Dover Castle finish (35km and 55km hikers)
It’s tough but achievable; with some training and determination, anyone can conquer the Pilgrims Way Challenge. Take on the hike with family, friends or colleagues, and make more friends along the way! When the welcome sight of the finish line comes into view, you’ll be rewarded with a finisher’s medal and a huge sense of achievement.
Entry
A maximum of 800 participants are able to take part in the Pilgrims Way Challenge 2023, so early registration is advised to avoid disappointment.
If capacity is reached before the event, on the day entry will not be available.
- Early Bird Entry: £35 (closed 16 April 2023)
- Standard Entry: £40 (closed 4 June 2023)
- On the Day Entry: £45
You must be at least 16 years of age to participate in the Pilgrims Way Challenge and walkers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a participating adult.
Please note that participant packs will be sent to all those who sign up before 24th May 2023. Sign-ups after this deadline will collect their participant number at the event.
Download the award-winning Pilgrims Event App for free
We're proud to offer the Pilgrims Event App, available for iOS and Android devices. It's free to download from the App Store and Google Play and is the perfect companion to enhance your Pilgrims event experience. Keep your training on track by recording your training activities and liking and commenting on your teammates. Receive up-to-date event information, view detailed route maps, earn in-app achievements and link your JustGiving page to see how your fundraising is going, all in one place.
Kit list and essential items
We've put together a full list of recommended equipment to make your hike a comfortable and safe experience. From clothing and footwear to some items that are essential, particularly for 35km and 55km walkers.
View the Pilgrims Way Challenge Equipment List
Get hiking fit with our training plans
We've put together 6/7 week training plans for each challenge distance to help get you hiking fit. The more you prepare yourself ahead of your challenge, the more you'll enjoy the experience on the big day. Check out the Pilgrims Way Challenge training plans here.
Transport links
We recommend that you're dropped off or met by family or friends who can take you home after such a tiring challenge. However, if you're relying on public transport to get to and/or from the event, these transport links may be useful:
- Wye: Serviced by trains running approx. every 30 minutes from the directions of Ashford and Canterbury; the station is a 2-minute walk from the start venue at Wye Village Hall
- Canterbury: Trains run from Canterbury West Station back to Wye departing every 30 minutes
- Dover: Trains run from Dover Priory Station back to Wye (via Ashford) departing every hour; the last train of the night is 23:48.
Resources
Address information
Venue:
Wye Village Hall
Bridge Street
City: Wye
Postcode: TN25 5EA
Contact information
Email: robert.grew@pilgrimshospices.org
Contact name: Robert Grew
Phone: 07710 854029
