5 Great Nature Walks in Norfolk
If you plan on doing a bit of hiking when on holiday in Norfolk then you’ll be delighted to hear there’s plenty of variety. From seal-spotting coastal walks to magical woodlands and even a city historical trail past rivers and parks, there’s something to suit every taste. Here’s our list of 5 great nature walks in Norfolk.
Wells Beach and Hockham Path
This lovely beachside and woodland circular trail is great for birdwatching, thanks to the fact it passes the rare bird refuge at Blakeney Point. Look out for waders, crossbills, flycatchers and warblers, in particular. You’ll hike for a fair bit along the beach and where you’ll spot the lovely, colourful beach huts. But you’ll also go through the lovely early Victorian town of Wells on Sea, where you can stop for a coffee and bite to eat. The trail is 10.6 km long and takes around 2 hrs 30 mins to complete, but you can also stop and set up camp enroute to make it an overnighter.
Blakeney Point coastal walk
Another coastal walk, this seven-mile long stretch finds you walking on shingle and spotting a host of plants, such as sea pea and the horned sea poppy, as well as plenty of wildlife. The walk starts at Cley Beach car park. Once you reach the National Trust Lifeboat House, see if you can spot some seals from the many colonies that nest and give birth here.
The Mystical Woods, Thorpe Marriott
If you’re looking for something a little less taxing but still out of the city, then the 3.4-km circular hike near Norwich takes around 50 mins to complete. Start from the free car park and once in the woods see if you can spot a deer. There’ll be plenty of spring and summer flowers to see in the meantime.
Sheringham Circular
A 10.9 km circular route near the town of Sheringham, this pretty route starts in woodland then ends up at the coast. It passes the golf course and various acres of farmland, before ending at the woods again. It should take nearly three hours to complete, during which time you’ll hopefully have traversed clifftops, woodland and heathland.
Norwich Bridges and Churches Trail
For the lover of architecture – especially churches – this this 7.4-km circular trail, again near Norwich, takes around one hour and 50 mins to complete. Walk along the banks of the River Wensum across the bridges there then return through the city with its many medieval churches (32 in total!) and ancient historical architecture.
Marriott’s Way
For those who fancy a bit more of a challenge, the 26 miles Norwich to Aylsham route, also known as Marriott’s Way, is ideal. As well as walkers, cyclists and horse riders also use this well-mapped out route. The path goes along the former railway line, going through small villages before ending in Aylsham. Enroute in the Wensum river valley and Whitwell Common you should find plenty of birds and wildlife, from kestrels and owls to deer and hares.
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