National Route 2 Dover to St Austell (NCN2)

Cornwall Information & Accommodation Guide

National Route 2 of the National Cycle Network is a long distance cycle route which, when complete, will link Dover in Kent with St. Austell in Cornwall via the south coast of England. It is also known as the South Coast Cycle Route.

Length of route 373 miles (599 km)
Time to cycle 46 hrs 35 mins
Time to walk 124 hrs 15 mins


Many sections of the route are already open and sign-posted but parts are still under development. The route described below is from Dover to St. Austell but is sign-posted in both directions.

Dover to Hastings
National Route 2 starts or finishes in Dover following a cliff top route to Folkestone and crossing Romney Marsh to Lydd and Rye.

Hastings to Brighton
The route between Hastings and Brighton is a part of the Downs and Weald cycle route. The route runs mainly along the coast but heads inland between Pevensey and Seaford to avoid the South Downs.

Brighton to Worthing
National Route 2 continues west of Brighton to Worthing via Shoreham.

Worthing to South Mundham
National Route 2 in West Sussex is still under development and currently open sections exist between Littlehampton and Bognor Regis only.

South Mundham to Christchurch
Short unopen sections exist through central Portsmouth; south of Southampton; out of Brockenhurst (New Forest), and within Christchurch but otherwise Route 2 is continuous across Hampshire.

Christchurch to Lyme Regis
Along Bournemouth seafront and over on the Poole Harbour ferry, National Route 2 continues to the east of Dorchester and then begins again on the west of Dorchester to Raymond’s Hill, north of Lyme Regis.

Lyme Regis to Dawlish
The strand of Route 2 from Raymond's Hill to Lyme Regis is not yet open, so Regional Route 52 provides a link to rejoin Route 2 the other side of Lyme Regis. Route 2 then continues through Seaton, Sidmouth and circumnavigates the Exe Estuary via Exeter to Dawlish.

Dawlish to Plymouth
The proposed Route 2 via Newton Abbot is under development so Route 2 restarts at Totnes and continues via a moorland route through Ivybridge to Plymouth. A coastal alternative route from Totnes to Plymouth is fully open as far as Malborough near Salcombe.

Plymouth to St Austell
The main Cornish section of the route will link the Cremyll Ferry in Plymouth with Lostwithiel via Looe and on to St Austell. Currently this section is only open between Par and St Austell.

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