Rochester Cathedral – St. Mary's Island loop from Sittingbourne

Bike touring routes & trails

Rochester Cathedral – St. Mary's Island loop from Sittingbourne

Moderate

4.0

(3)

riders

Rochester Cathedral – St. Mary's Island loop from Sittingbourne

03:36

58.7km

330m

Cycling

Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: October 15, 2026

Tips

Cycling is not permitted along parts of this route

After 20.9 km for 208 m

After 22.5 km for 71 m

After 29.0 km for 85 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

17.7 km

Horrid Hill

Highlight • Natural

Part of Riverside Country Park, Horrid Hill was originally an island. It is now joined to the mainland by a causeway.

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21.7 km

View of the River Medway from Gillingham Pier

Highlight • Viewpoint

22.6 km

Ministry of Defence Nuclear Waste Landfill

Forest

26.2 km

Cave Entrance

29.1 km

Rochester Castle has defended the London Road, a strategically-important crossing of the River Medway, for centuries. The impressive 12th-century tower, which is the castle's most prominent feature, is one of the best preserved in Britain. From the top of the castle, you experience breathtaking views of Rochester.

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29.3 km

Rochester Cathedral

Highlight • Monument

Rochester Cathedral was founded in 604 AD and is the second oldest cathedral in England, after Canterbury Cathedral. The building you see today broadly dates from the 11th century. Inside, you can see a fine collection of medieval wall paintings and the Textus Roffensis, the only existing written copy of the first code of English law and one of the most important books in England.

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35.3 km

St. Mary's Island

Highlight • Settlement

easy cycling with awesome view of Upnor castle

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37.1 km

No. 2 Basin, Chatham Dockside

Highlight • Viewpoint

No2 Basin Chatham Dockside

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42.8 km

Boat Wreck at Riverside Country Park

Highlight • Viewpoint

Covering over 247 acres (100 ha) along the Medway Estuary, the Riverside Country Park provides important habitats for wildlife. Mudflats, salt marshes, ponds, reed-beds, grassland and scrub attract thousands of species of birds and insects. You can learn more at the visitor centre in the park. There's also a cafe. The park opens at 8am and shuts at sunset.

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