Love your bike? Cycle the Viking Coastal Trail!

• Written by: Beeches Holiday Lets
• Written on: July 8, 2013
• Filed Under: Broadstairs, Days Out, Margate, Sports

If you enjoy cycling, the Viking Coastal Trail is a lovely way to see some of Thanet’s beautiful coast and get some exercise at the same time. Pick and choose from routes of varying lengths and take in the coast, countryside and villages……

The routes are all shown on the published Trail here.

The few miles from Broadstairs to Margate and back is perfect for a family day out. We do this route all the time and love it!

You’ll cycle alongside Stone Bay and North Foreland, then take in the lighthouse as you sweep down the hill to Joss Bay – named after the famous Broadstairs smuggler, but now known for it’s eponymously named surf school. Then comes the lovely Kingsgate Bay, with Kingsgate Castle, and the chance to stop for a snack or drink at The Captain Digby, which has a great view over the bay.

The wonderful expanse of Botany Bay opens up as you come round the point. This bay is long and has grass covered dunes and impressive chalk stacks at the Broadstairs end which also has a lifeguard section, toilets and cafe. The views from the cycle path are wonderful as you continue down towards Foreness Point.

You’ll now be heading towards Palm Bay and Walpole Bay. Palm Bay has a cafe on the cycle path, which serves fabulous ice cream in an array of flavours, and Walpole Bay has the jet ski centre – if you are up for an adventurous way of exploring the coast! Walpole Bay also has a tidal pool for swimming, which is very popular with families.

Now you will be on the approach to Margate, passing the Winter Gardens and Fort Hill, then heading down the hill towards the wonderful Turner Contemporary Gallery and Margate Old Town and Main Sands. We’d recommend a wander round the Old Town and lunch (you’ve earned it!). A couple of the many good eating options include:

• GB Pizza Co – seriously good pizza using the very best fresh ingredients on Marine Drive, overlooking the sea, sit in or you can get a takeaway and eat it sitting on the new, civic design award winning, steps opposite – facing the beach.
• The Greedy Cow – awesome burgers in Margate Old Town!

If you continue on from Margate you’ll come to the lovely beaches of Westgate and Minnis Bay, and eventually the towers and Roman fort at Reculver.

So bring your bike when you visit us this summer! As well as being perfectly situated for some beautiful rides, all our properties include bike racks for secure bike storage.

There are also a number of bike hire companies in the area, including:

• Bike Hire Broadstairs
• Ken’s Bikes