for those who love the outdoors

15 June, 2022

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Walk King's Wood, Kent

A stunning walk that features King’s Wood the 1500-acre forest in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, in Challock, Kent

view of kings wood walk

King's Wood Walk, Kent

King's Wood is a 1500-acre forest in the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, in Challock. The wood is a mix of ancient trees and newly planted areas, and is home to walking trails, horse riding trails and a number of outdoor activity areas. The wood is also popular with dog walkers, picnickers and nature lovers. The walking trails wind their way through the woods, past ancient oak trees and bluebell fields, and offer stunning views of the Kent Downs. The horse riding trails follow similar routes, and provide a great way to explore the wood on horseback. There are also a number of outdoor activity areas, including a children's play area, a BMX track and a nature reserve. Whether you're looking for a peaceful stroll or an adventurous day out, King's Wood has something to offer everyone.

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The Walk

King’s Wood was historically a royal hunting forest and a large herd of fallow deer still run free there, which I have seen on previous visits.

My walk was 13.5KM following the grit roads and footpaths and was very peaceful as I only saw 2 other people in 3 hours!

It is managed by the Forestry Commission and the Kentish Stour Countryside Partnership for conservation, recreation and timber production and is open to the public throughout the year and has an active Friends of King’s Wood Association that hold regular events.

Since 1994, Stour Valley Creative Partnership has commissioned artists to make sculptures within the forest and also other kinds of artworks. Artists who are particularly responsive to the history and character of this working forest are invited to spend long periods here. As a consequence of their close and sympathetic involvement with the forest, they use natural materials found in the immediate area, and engage with seasonal and growing cycles. Their use of natural materials means that the sculptures in King’s Wood gradually change and will all, eventually, become part of the natural forest cycle of decay and regeneration. Day to day, they are transformed by light, weather and seasonal occurrences.

You can do shorter walks around the wood - a marked trail leads visitors round the sculptures in King’s Wood and visitors should allow at least 2.5 hours to complete the trail.

Total elevation of the walk is 187 metres with a mixture of roads and country and riverside paths.

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Nigel's Gone Walking Score

Nigel ranks this walk a score 8.8 out of 10. A stunning walk in the Kent countryside.

Duration & Distance

3 hours 14 minutes

Distance13.4km 

Parking

I parked in the main Car Park at the King’s Wood Challock entrance.

What3words location we used is - ///transmitted.stumps.dorms

Map of Route

Below you'll find a mapmyride image of the route including elevation.

Walk Map of Kings Wood Walk Kent

About our contributor Nigel Jones of 9km by 9am

Nigel is the founder of 9KM BY 9AM and walks 9KM before 9 o’clock every day.

9KM BY 9AM is a health & wellness channel featuring the 9KM BY 9AM CHALLENGE and is available on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.

The channel features daily walks and thoughts and is open to anyone who wants to challenge themselves.

Over the first 12 months Nigel walked 3,420kms before breakfast! That’s the equivalent of 81 marathons!

Nigel says, ‘The walks are a great time to think, plan your day and also meditate. It’s not just about walking it's about the ideas, the thoughts, the creativity time. Out walking early in the morning is a great time to learn new things through listening to podcasts and audio books and reflect.’

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Nigel Jones

NJ SEPIA LOW RES

Founder of the health and wellness channel 9KM BY 9AM.

Author of Walking Back To Happiness” The Secret To Alcohol-free Living & Well-being.

Certified Positive Psychology & NLP Coach - with the internationally recognised, double accredited, International Coaching Federation and Association for Coaching, AreteWay Coaching Course.

Founder of REROOT YOURSELF™ - a detailed look at the science behind nature and wellness. Helping busy people with limited time tap into the art of forest bathing and the healing power of nature. A group masterclass / workshop – designed for organisations and businesses to help improve the mental health and wealth of employees.

Nigel holds a Diploma (Distinction) in Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing). Is trained in the Power Of Awareness, University of California, Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center and the Awareness Training Institute.

Nigel shares with us is Lived Experience of over 700 walks in nature - walking 9 kilometres before 9 o’clock every day since May 2021. Highlights include:

  • The power of being present at every sunrise for the past 21 months
  • Insights into his meditation processes and techniques
  • What he saw and learned on over 6,000 kilometres (equivalent of 150 marathons) of walks in the forest, mountains and coastal areas of the UK
  • How you can benefit from these insights

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