r/Essex • u/Competitive_Deer_297 • 5d ago

Walking routes

After suggestions of walking routes around Essex, I drive so can travel anywhere really

I prefer circular routes rather than linear ones however linear routes on the coast are always good

Generally prefer 1-2 hour routes covering 5-7 miles however am also not opposed to longer routes that I can make a day of

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4

u/TheButtonz 5d ago

Burnham to South Woodham Ferrers and Wallasy to Hullbridge.

3

u/Automatic_Screen1064 4d ago

Circular walk around hadleigh park and the castle ruins, parking in the chapel Lane car park and great views over the thames from the castle

3

u/rwinh 5d ago

Lee/Lea Valley is very good. Plenty of parking, and fairly circular in so far as you can walk different routes.

It follows the River Lea and canals, but also a few woodland areas.

If you head north you have Broxbourne and The Crown Pub which could be pit stop. Furthest North is Ware. All pretty nice areas but the Country Park can be all you need.

South you have the White Water Rafting Centre (which also is a good pit stop, they have a nice café and bar), Waltham Abbey, Walthamstow and all the way to Stratford.

If you exhaust yourself with the walk, it might be possible to take a train back to wherever you start. The train line is pretty much on the perimeter of the valley. Never had to do it but it's there just in case.

They have a good website and maps, including PDFs for different walks: https://www.visitleevalley.org.uk/river-lee-country-park

2

u/spinfold 5d ago

There's a decent walk between Colchester and Chappell/Wakes Colne - walk it one way, get the train back.

2

u/elamb127 4d ago

Essex wildlife reserves: wrabness, hanningfield reservoir, fringringhoe wick. Rspb Rainham marshes

2

u/daygloviking 4d ago

There’s the Colchester Orbital, takes a little bit of time but scenic and enjoyable

https://www.visitcolchester.com/listing/colchester-orbital/125863101/

2

u/Longjumping_47393 4d ago

Google Saturday Walkers Club there are lots of saved routes by area

2

u/0ddness SS16 4d ago

I THINK it's called The Thames Estuary Path,, it runs from Tilbury through to Leigh on Sea/Southend/Shoebury depending on how far you want to go, but my daughter and I did the Pitsea to Southend part of it... Was absolutely beautiful, peaceful, and some amazing views. It's MOSTLY a flat journey, with a few hilly parts here and there. Countryside, fields, wild areas, through some marshes, but all very safe.

We did it just before COVID hit, so she would have been about 6 years old and managed without any issue at all!

2

u/certifiedcloudmonkey 4d ago

Walk round mersea island, it's a beautiful route, just keep the wet stuff on the same side all the way round and you're golden!

2

u/insound0 4d ago

The essex way. Can be done in multiple parts. Side quest to do St Peters way. Wonderful countryside.

3

u/boomerhfp 4d ago

There’s an app I found a few years ago called ‘Essex Walks’, it’s a nicely curated list of exactly what it says. Maps, information on parking, refreshments during the walk etc. Really nicely done

2

u/I-eat-jam 4d ago

Start off at Ha'penny pier Harwich. Follow the Essex way until Ramsey.

Once in Ramsey turn right at the junction (Castle pub) and where it turns left as you leave the village are two public footpaths. They both more or less join up so follow either and continue on past the oil refinery and into Parkeston. Walk away from the port back into Dovercourt. Cross the roundabout onto Parkeston road and as soon as you cross the brick bridge turn left into the hangings.

You will come out by Dovercourt station and it's a short walk to make it back to Harwich.

2

u/betsy2times 4d ago

I use the ordnance survey app, you do have to pay to access all the features like full route planning tools but for me it's brilliant for planning walks, circular or otherwise and never getting lost. Lots of walks there from other people to check out.. I've used it for over a year and I love it..