Ayokunle Oluwalana, a senior multimedia journalist, spent his birthday hiking 10 miles along the Kent coastline from Deal to Dover, a journey that took three hours and 45 minutes. Despite the grueling heat and subsequent soreness, he says he would do it again "in a heartbeat."
A Birthday Hike Instead of a Spa Day
Oluwalana initially planned a relaxing spa day at the Dover Marina Hotel and Spa, booking a train from St Pancras to Dover. However, on the train, he decided to combine relaxation with adventure, continuing a few stops to Deal to start a coastal walk. He reasoned that ending at the spa in Dover made sense, as it was his final destination.
Setting off from Deal Pier, he passed Deal Castle, built by Henry VIII, and admired the small houses along the seafront, feeling envious of residents who wake up to such views daily. He noted that he had climbed mountains in Australia and a volcano in Bali, so a four-hour walk seemed manageable.
Navigating the Route and Its Challenges
After passing through Walmer, the path began to meander, and Google Maps directed him inland, away from the coast. He ignored his instincts to keep the water on his left, ending up alongside a golf course and farmland. The lack of other walkers made him question his route, but he pressed on through Kingsdown, where his legs started to feel the strain.
Walking on the shingle beach at Kingsdown was relaxing, but a subsequent inland road seemed endless. He passed horses that looked at him in disbelief, a sign he later recognized. By the time he reached St Margaret's Bay, an hour and a half had passed, and he was still on schedule to complete the walk in three and a half hours.
Resting at the Lighthouse and Final Stretch
Spotting the South Foreland Lighthouse, he stopped for a scone and a rest, which proved to be a mistake. Upon getting up, the heaviness in his legs and pain in his feet became overwhelming. He returned to the coastline, where the white cliffs were stunning, and he could see France in the distance. His phone even notified him that he was using data in France, as if he had crossed the Channel.
As he approached Dover, he watched ferries entering and exiting the port, but his only thought was the spa awaiting him. He dragged his legs, feeling fatigue, and arrived at the Dover Marina Hotel and Spa around 4pm, having started at 12.15pm. The receptionist and massage therapist were both incredulous that he had walked from Deal, with the latter asking if he knew what a bus was.
Post-Hike Reflections
After a hot stone massage, he relaxed, but two days later, his legs still felt sore. Despite the pain, he recommends the hike 100 percent, noting the beautiful views and the sense of accomplishment. He concluded that the experience was worth it, and he would do it again without hesitation.
