Kent - The Isle of Harty Cycle Trail
Cycle your way round the 'garden of England'
Starting at Leysdown on Sea on The Isle of Sheppey, follow a series of quiet country lanes and off road tracks to the Isle of Harty.
Highlights on the route include the coastal Leysdown Country Park, the 900 year old Harty Church and the Ferry House Inn near to the Ferry Landing.
The trail itself starts in Leysdown a small but lively seaside resort, with a lovely sand and shell beach. The start is the Welcome to Leysdown sign. The ‘Garden of England’ is densely packed with trails, quiet lanes, big-ticket tourist spots, quirky coastal towns, salubrious villages, and curious one-offs. You could cycle a whole summer here and never see it all!
The flat, circular, and mainly traffic-free Harty Trail takes you through the Isle of Sheppey past beaches and bird reserves. It's a loop of around 10km near Sheerness and is mostly off-road. The trail is mostly tarmac or concrete with sections of rolled gravel. But you should expect a few pot holes and small cracks. The route also takes you through working farms and so occasional farm traffic should be expected.
The route may be flat but the trails are interesting and rugged. You have stunning vistas of the sea and are always surrounded by unspoilt nature. Why not stop along the way to enjoy the local attractions or spend a whole day exploring the area?
A particular highlight is the 900 year old Harty Church, where you can pop in to admire the Flemish Kist (a 14th century wooden chest), carved with two jousting knights and brought in on one of the tides.
