1st National Trail captured on Google Trekker!

Those of you who are familiar with Google Streetview already will know how handy it is to take a virtual tour of the area you are visiting before actually arriving. From navigating tricky roads to finding the business you are looking for ahead of time can save valuable lost minutes and avoids being late!

Continuing the Google Streetview success story, Kent AONB have a good reason to celebrate this week as they prepare to launch the North Downs Way on Google Trekker. This ‘off road’ virtual tour begins and ends at the North Downs Way starting point at Dover sea front. The North Downs Trail spans 153 miles of stunning and varied landscape through the Kent Downs AONB and onto the protected landscape of the Surrey Hills.

Capturing the North Downs Way – Virtually

The launch of the North Downs Way on Google Trekker has been the result of a group of North Downs Way explorers heading off onto the trail in Summer 2015 with the Google trekker camera – an interesting backpack with a huge round camera protruding from it – to record a 360 degree panoramic experience. Showcasing the trail on Google Streetview shows it’s dynamic appeal from walkers choosing a life changing full experience walking the entire length to families making the North Downs Way a day out taking in the protected AONB landscape and of course the pub lunch which is an absolute must for all visitors to the North Downs Way.

The photos captured by the Google Trekker camera will be released to the public for the first time following a celebratory launch in Dover itself which will create an exhilarating experience not only of the downs way but create business opportunities for the local businesses dotted throughout the North Downs Way – from independent cafes, B+B’s and shops to stately homes and gardens, and neolithic sites.

By showcasing the beauty of the North Downs Way, it is hoped that more people will be encouraged to experience first hand the exhilarating experience on offer in turn creating new opportunities for the local economy.