I feel like that's all I need to write--everybody knows of these majestic cliffs. They're renowned for their historical significance (served to help defend Britain during World War I and World War II), their geomorphological processes (formation during the ice age), or just because they're so beautiful. People have written songs and poems of their beauty and meaning. Whatever the reason, everybody I talk to is aware of them. Ever since I've been here, they have been on my list, and finally I had an opportunity to check them out!
Dover is a relatively quick drive from the Chunnel, which makes it an easy excursion if you have an early train over from mainland Europe, which is exactly what I did.
Dover is a relatively quick drive from the Chunnel, which makes it an easy excursion if you have an early train over from mainland Europe, which is exactly what I did.
The day I went was absolutely beautiful, and everybody wanted to be out on the cliffs (can I really blame them?). There are many trails that parallel the cliffs and allow you to explore the ecosystem that range in difficulty. It's really difficult to get lost, so just enjoy the landscape!
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| Can I jump it? |
One thing that really struck me is how amazingly white the cliffs truly are, and the blanket of green vegetation on the top and fringes. It seems as though somebody simply placed the vegetation there and could easily peel it off like the skin of an orange. According to researchers, the cliffs are eroding relatively quickly: at a rate of about 22-32 cm per year. That may not seem like a lot, but if you think about the fact that up until about 150 years ago the erosion rate was only about 2-6 cm per year, 22-32 cm is a significant increase. And the erosion can be both gradual or sudden, as large portions of the cliffs can come cascading down due to the forces of nature at any time. One place where this was evident was the trail down to the sea, where a large portion of the trail was blocked off because a large piece of the cliffs demolished the trail.
The cliffs are truly a natural wonder, and if you're coming or returning to England via the Chunnel, it is a quick side trip, place for a walk (or a picnic!), that will not disappoint!
Resources:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/11/08/englands-iconic-white-cliffs-eroding-10-times-faster-now-than-ov/
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