Walking in Norfolk

There are numerous walking opportunities in Norfolk: in the countryside, town, village and also by the sea. Listed below are some of the more well know ones.

Remember it is not necessary to cover the long distance walks in one day, or from end to end. Many walkers break their trips into manageable sections enabling them to take advantage of the interesting hotels and Inns that are scattered along the routes. Much enjoyment can be had by "doing the walk" over a number of weeks in a relaxed and easy manner as time allows.

Whilst out walking please observe and respect the Country Code. For Norfolk or Suffolk Restaurants - Click the Where to Eat Link.s

- Enjoy the countryside and respect its life and work
- Fasten all gates
- Keep dogs under close control
- Keep to public paths across farmland
- Use gates and stiles to cross fences, hedges and walls
- Leave livestock, crops and machinery alone
- Take your litter home
- Help to keep all water clean
- Protect wildlife, plants and trees
- Take special care on country roads
- Make no unnecessary noise
- If no pavement on the highway, please walk on the right hand side of the road facing oncoming traffic.

QUIET LANES

The Quiet Lanes scheme is a pilot project which is being introduced between Cromer, Bacton and North Walsham.

Designed to make some of the country lanes better for walkers, cyclists and also horse riders. They are a links between footpaths and bridleways on little used roads. They are indicated by a sign at the beginning of the road.

MARRIOTTS WAY

21 miles, 34 kilometres, starting from what used to be Reepham Railway Station along the old railway line that was closed in 1985. The walk is for those on foot or on bicycles or horse riders .

At the former Reepham station there is a museum, tea and coffee room.

The Way was called after William Marriott who was the chief engineer of the former Midland and Great Northern railway for 41 years.

The whole route is way marked in the brown and cream livery colours of the former Midland and Great Northern Railway.

A peaceful and secluded walk passing through typical lowland arable fields woods and water meadows near to the River Wensum. It then goes on to the higher and drier lands beyond Reepham. Flora and fauna of oak, field maple and birdlife of jay, magpie, goldfinch, wren and green woodpecker.

NORFOLK COAST PATH

From Hunstanton through to Cromer covering 45 miles, 72 kilometers in total.

This long distance footpath was opened in 1986 and most of the area through which the path meanders has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Along cliff top paths it passes through busy little ports, long stretches of sand dunes, salt marshes and numerous nature reserves. The scenery is very diverse with the coastal section a birdwatcher's paradise. So don't forget your binoculars.

The Norfolk Coast Path links with the Peddars Way at the coast at Holme-the-next-the-Sea

THE PASTON WAY

Taking its name from the Paston Family who adopted their name from the small village on the north east coast of Norfolk and who were dominant landowners and a merchant family during the Medieval and Tudor periods.

This walk takes in sixteen churches and sixteen villages and towns.

The walk starts in North Walsham from the gates of Paston College and crosses the Market Place to enter the churchyard of St. Nicholas from the south and finishes in the church of St. Peter and St. Paul at Cromer.

The Paston Way links with the Weavers Way at Cromer and North Walsham.

THE BURE VALLEY WALK

A 9 mile, 14km footpath running between Aylsham and Wroxham along the former railway line, beside the narrow gauge track of the Bure Valley Railway which you can then use for the return journey, if you so wish.

THE PEDDARS WAY

A country walk of 46 miles (74km) which follows the route of a Roman road, running straight as a die. It begins in the Breckland of Knettishall Heath and ends in Holme-next-the-sea. It follows a Roman military road built at the time of the Boudiccan revolt in AD61, probably in order to enable troops to patrol the territory of the rebellious Iceni tribe. It is not known why the road was built to disappear into the sea, one plausible explanation suggests there might have been a ferry port at Holme next the sea, connecting Norfolk via the Wash to Lincolnshire. The Peddars Way first appears in maps of 1587 and could mean footpath from the Latin 'pedester' - 'to go on foot'.

Peddars Way passes through countryside ranging from the heaths of the breckland to the north-west Norfolk ridge and the dunes of the coast. Comprising of country lanes, waymarked bridleways and footpaths.

After the Roman's departure the Saxons did not use the highway which led to their villages being built away from the line of the road. Therefore there are few villages apart from the Acres that the way passes through, though we can recommend that some diversions into some of the towns on either side of the way are well worth a visit. Such as Swaffham, Great Birchham, Great Massingham and Ringstead.

Also a diversion to the village of Cockley Cley where they have re-created an Iceni village is worth noting.

The Peddars Way links with the Norfolk Coast Path at the coast at Hunstanton

WEAVERS WAY

A long distance footpath of 57 miles, 92km from Cromer to Great Yarmouth. The name Weavers Way comes from the ancient weaving industry that used to be common in the towns of Aylsham, North Walsham, Stalham and Worsted. The way takes you from the coast at Norfolk, through the Norfolk Broads. It passes through the National Trust estates of Felbrigg and Blickling as well as along the track bed of the former Great Yarmouth to Kings Lynn railway line.

Other Long Distance Paths

Angles Way: Boudicas Way: Nar Valley Way: Pingo Trail

Norfolk Circular Walks

The local government site, with lots of interesting and varied walks.