Crystal Palace to North Downs Way loop by Condor Cycles

London cycle shop Condor Cycles takes us on a mixed surface adventure from Greater London into Surrey and Kent.

A mere 16 miles out of central London lies the North Downs Way: an extensive trail path opened in 1978. It runs for a mammoth 173 miles, snaking along the ridge of the chalky North Down hills. Our loop utilises some of the trail, as it twists around the borders of Surrey and Kent. There are some sectors of the route which feature dried mud and gravel but in the spring and summer weather will be suitable for road bikes.

Beginning in Crystal Palace, the route heads directly south towards Woldingham and into the grounds of a private school. The road is a public bridleway and suitable for bicycles and walkers but not for cars. It is not long after leaving the school grounds that we enter the first fast section of trail overlooking Godstone.

We then swing west via some sections of gravel and heads along the ridge overlooking some English vineyards. At Merstham, the route heads north towards London to return home via Chipstead, Carshalton, Mitcham and finish at Clapham.