Okay so we don’t have dramatic mountains or dales, but Suffolk is far from flat, dull and arable as is often the perception. The beauty of walking in Suffolk is that it is so varied. As well as beaches we have wild and expansive estuaries, gentle meandering rivers, plantation forests and ancient woodlands, mile upon mile of Sandlings heaths, lush meadows, farmland and pretty historic towns and villages along the way, with many a good pub and café to sustain you along the way.
There are around three and a half thousand miles of Rights of Way across Suffolk, that would take you to southern Spain and back, quite a trek even for the fittest enthusiast. With over 1100 designated wildlife sites across the county, Suffolk really is a delightful place to get outdoors. Part of The Broads National Park straddles the north of the county, and there are large expanses of Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or National Landscapes as they are now called, in East and South Suffolk.
Have you heard about the East Suffolk Line Walks? This scenic train line between Ipswich and Lowestoft has hourly trains and stations which provide start and end points for this series of 22 walks, so you don’t need to get in the car at all. For example you can walk the ten miles from Westerfield station to Woodbridge station along the peaceful meandering Fynn Valley Path. Or maybe the very different Easterling, four miles between Oulton Broad and Lowestoft stations highlighting the areas historic roots and urban corridors.
There are numerous long distance paths in Suffolk, from the better known Stour and Orwell Walk, Angles Way and Suffolk Coast Path to quiet and hidden gems such as Lark Valley Path, Bury to Clare Walk and Brecks Trail, so plenty to choose from depending on your location, interests and abilities, all with route markers and information.
For those who want a short circular walk from a car park or perhaps and easy access trail, where you can be confident the surfaces are good and you won’t be stalled by a stile or get lost, you still have plenty to choose from all around Suffolk, Perhaps head for one of the expansive forests - Thetford, Tunstall, Rendlesham or Dunwich, somewhere such as the fabulous Thornham Walks in the north of the county, or larger National Trust properties (Dunwich, Ickworth, Sutton Hoo, Flatford…) for inspiration. For easy access trails Beccles Marsh Trail, Belle Vue Park Sudbury, Carlton Marshes and Alton Water are just a few dotted around examples. More information and easy access trails can be found at Suffolk (accessiblecountryside.org.uk).
For those who like to join in with events or be guided along by a local expert, there are plenty of options too, Suffolk Walking Festival is one of the largest and oldest walking events in the country, and takes place each May. For something different how about ghostly and macabre night time walks or just regular daytime tours around Bury St Edmunds. Suffolk Wildlife Trust lead informative and interesting guided walks throughout the year, as well as major organisations such as the RSPB and National Trust.
So you see there really is somewhere to suit everyone. Riverside or coastal, challenging or relaxing, familiar or new, sociable or solitude, summer or winter… Suffolk is a wonderful large rural county with so much outdoors to explore. We have cottages all over the county to choose from, so where will you walk next?