Marhea one

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Marhea here.

Marden Meadow nature reserve has some spectacular flowers at this time of year so my plan was first to test the improved PadMar 2 Slow Way from then test this route which goes very close to the reserve (150m down Marden Rd). Even though the earlier reviewer was so very unimpressed. But the locals in The Unicorn's beer garden had some good advice. Two of the footpaths are diverted one officially and one not, neither change appears on maps except the council's own. I think that might explain some locked gates from the other review. The moved paths made this route a fail before I'd begun, so instead of a true test, I tried out their suggestions hoping perhaps to recce a good MarHea 3. I spent longer than expected and stopped early at Staplehurst rather than finish well after dark, so I''m not submitting a half-tested improvement. This review was following the spirit of this route and should be of some help.

It is better than the original, but was wet in places. There are some lovely things to see/hear especially, for other nature nerds, the green-winged orchids and a colony of turtle doves so I'd like to think there's hope for this route. My birdsong app did suggest a Marsh Harrier and a Little Ringed Plover too, pretty sure that was the barking dogs though.

Not accessible for all. Kissing gates, footbridges with a couple of steps up, a pair of longer flights of steps, some wet ground and some overgrown vegetation. The wet sections were despite it being clear that significant winter mud on the other side of Marden were dry enough for shoes, with a jump here or there. Lots of pools around, must be very low lying land. Might have be fine with higher boots but not my lightweight walking shoes, that gamble didn't pay off! The road alternatives are pretty obvious if it's wet, winter-time, or you have the wrong shoes.

https://www.plotaroute.com/route/2245008?units=km
This is the alternative I ended up at, do-able though a bit soggy. Little map attached shows where it was a bit wet or overgrown on my trip, or suggestions to help with navigation. Might help if you just really want to go to Marden Meadow or if someone down the line wants to design a new route instead of testing/using MarHea 2. Nice bloke in the pub said you can also walk across Bridgehurst Wood where "the landowners are pretty tolerant", but it's not a public right of way so not recommended.

Not the best walk, a lot of missing way markers and finger posts many of the paths are overgrown there are also trees across the paths. Ploughed fields without the paths being reinstated. In Staplehurst the route directs you down a dead end and indicates a footpath that doesn't exist, i checked on kent Footpaths. Also experienced locked gates and impassable paths so had to double back!.

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