DARNLEY TRAIL - Shorne and Cobham Woods (Kent, UK)

Maybe one of the best short MTB trails in the area, fully signposted, "for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians", covering parts of Shorne Woods Country Park, Cobham Park, Ashenbank Wood, Ranscombe Farm and Jeskins.

In a couple of places, mainly in the Cobham Wood area, the track is a bit difficult to follow. Some additional signposts there would be of great help.

There are two short steep slopes, one in Cobham Wood and the other in Shorne Woods, where it may be necessary to dismount, especially if the terrain is wet and muddy, as it was in November. If the trail is travelled anti-clockwise, the only steep slope where you will almost certainly need to dismount is in Cobham Wood.

All that makes the technical difficulty of this route to be "moderate" instead of "easy", even if it is quite short (10 km) and has no long ascents.

As described on the trail map published by the Country Park:

"The Cobham and Shorne area contains some of the most stunning countryside that you will find in North Kent. With most of the countryside within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you will be able to discover richly diverse landscapes throughout the area. Experience ancient woodland, over 400 years old and home to some of Kent’s biggest trees; open grassland with towering veteran trees scattered along the horizon; acres of coppice woodland,filled with bluebells in the springtime; and newly planted orchards and grazed meadows.

Named after the Earls of Darnley, who previously owned Cobham Hall and much of the land that you will see en route, the Darnley Trail is an excellent way to see the highlights of this area. This is a circular route for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians that links Shorne Woods Country Park with the gently undulating countryside on the other side of the A2, over a distance of approximately 10km. From the Country Park, the Darnley Trail takes in Cobham Park, Ranscombe Farm Reserve, Ashenbank Wood and Jeskyns Community Woodland, with several entry points and various short cuts that make up a varied and interesting route."