Seaside Celebrations: A Spontaneous Journey Along the Viking Coastal Trail

Date: August 2024

Start: Ramsgate Station, 11.30

Finish: Margate Beach, late evening

Duration: 3h

Distance: 15km

Elevation Gain: 200m

Route Type: Point to Point

Weather: Hot and Sunny

Companions: Mel, Margarita, Nata

A spontaneous and last-minute plan, but in the end, we manage to organize a birthday hike for Mel.

As per tradition, the birthday girl chooses the route, and we decide to take the popular path from Ramsgate to Margate, following the England Coast Path and finally part of the Viking Coastal Trail.

Margarita, a French girl from Lyon who has just arrived in London, joins the celebration group.

Ramsgate is a lively town, and it’s always exciting to feel the sand and see the coast up close, despite living on a (damp) island.

We pass through Broadstairs, where the Folk Week is happening, featuring the celebration of wooden horses and a market.

We continue, and our lunch at a pub in Kingsgate Bay offers a stunning view of the sea, beach, and castles.

We set off again, and shortly after, we are already in Margate, where the conditions are perfect for a swim, followed by drinking prosecco while feeding the seagulls on the beach.

Deep reflections on another year of life; we part ways with many good intentions and ideas.