Discover 150+
Essex Walks.
Fancy a new adventure? Explore the best Essex Walks.
Our walking app provides easy to follow routes, showing your position on the map as you walk. It uses your phone GPS to guide you and gives you the confidence to explore and enjoy new Essex walks. So, if you are looking for your next walking adventure, download the app, choose a walk and just follow the pointer.
It’s like sat-nav… but for footpaths.
See your position on the route map as you walk.
Our mobile walking guide app includes over 150 walks in and around Essex. Download Essex Walks now on the iTunes or Google Play app store.
Join our community.
facebook.com/groups/essex.walks
Join the 1,000’s of people who recommend, discover, feedback and enjoy new Essex walks.
We love discovering new Essex walks and our growing community help us find the best walks so that we can research and share them in the app. Our users can rate each walk based on a number of factors such as how dog or buggy friendly it is, pub on route etc, so that you can find your perfect walks.
If you want to join our community, just head over to facebook.com/groups/essex.walks and get involved!
Check out a few of our Essex walks…
Download the Walks in Essex app now!
Here is a list of walks in Essex we have on the app…
Abridge
1.5 miles
This is a simple short stroll from the village of Abridge that ventures out through some countryside and then takes you through the pretty Ape's Grove woodland before heading back to the village.
Abridge
2.75 miles
This slightly longer route also takes you through the Apes Grove woodland, but instead of looping back there, it then takes you further into the countryside and visits the St Mary & All Saints Church before bringing you back to the village through more open countryside.
Aubrey Buxton
0.75 miles
This short stroll takes you on a loop around the pretty Aubrey Buxton Nature Reserve. The nature reserve is a 23 acre site with high woodland and grassland. Expect lots of beautiful flowers in the meadows and potential summer visits from Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
Aubrey Buxton
1.75 miles
This longer route takes you around the outskirts of the Essex Wildlife Trust's Aubrey Buxton Nature reserve. It takes you across farmland, meadows and leafy lanes. If you have time, why not explore the wild habitat of the nature reserve as well. There is a small amount of road walking along a lane.
Bedfords Park
2 miles
Bedfords Country Park is 215 acres of open parkland, red deer, woods, lakes and wild flower meadows. It's easy walking with beautiful scenery and a cafe for refreshments.
Belhus Woods Country Park
1 mile
There are many wonderful walks around the Belhus Country Park. This shortest route explores some ancient woodland, walks around a pretty lake and visits a fun children's play area making it a great day out for the family.
Belhus Woods Country Park
2 miles
If you can't make your mind up between the short family-friendly stroll and the longer park explorer route, this is an in-between option in terms of distance. It still enjoys the lakes, woodland and meadows of this lovely park.
Belhus Woods Country Park
3 miles
This is the longest of our routes around this delightful park. The route takes you around the vast majority of the park's hot spots with it's lakes, ancient woodland and open meadows to enjoy.
Blakes Wood
0.75 miles
This is a short and very family-friendly woodland walk around Blakes Wood. Blakes Wood is made up of 100 acres of Essex woodland which has a variety of different tree species including oak, ash and birch. The woods are packed full of wildlife for you to enjoy and you should listen out for the woodpeckers on this walk as well as enjoying the Bluebells in the spring.
Bradwell on Sea
6.25 miles
This is a remote, quiet coastal walk around the Bradwell Cockle Spit nature reserve. The reserve is home to lots of nesting birds including the rare little tern. There are also many other breeds including ducks, waders and Brent geese. On the walk you will also see the St Peter's chapel, Bradwell war memorial and the Bradwell nuclear power station. There is some road walking on this route.
Brightlingsea
5.75 miles
This is a wonderful coastal walk from Brightlingsea that takes you on a sweeping adventure inland alongside the majestic mouth of the River Colne. The loop then brings you back to the start through open farmland and countryside.
Bumbles Green
2.75 miles
This is a nice relatively short walking loop in the undulating countryside that you'll find to the south of Bumbles Green. The route visits Galley Hill and Claverhambury on the way around and there are some mild ascents on the walk.
Bumbles Green
6.25 miles
The second route is a lovely longer walk that starts in Bumbles Green and takes you on a journey through the beautiful Essex countryside. On this route you will climb hills, walk along quiet country lanes and explore the wildlife as you wander through the pretty woodland of Gallethill Wood. There are some amazing views on this walk and there are also some muddy patches after rain, so please wear appropriate footwear.
Burnham-on-Crouch
2.5 miles
This first route is an easy family-friendly walk that takes you around local park land, along the River Crouch, past the Burnham Yacht Club harbour and on a stroll through the Riverside Park.
Burnham-on-Crouch
7.75 miles
If you want to stretch your legs and really explore the area around Burnham-on-Crouch, this second route is an epic adventure for you. This route enjoys the harbour and Riverside park from the first route, but it also takes you along the Saltmarsh Coastal Trail for a long walk out East into Burnham Wick before looping and heading back through the town's high street itself where there are pubs and various eateries for refreshments.
Castle Hedingham
3.5 miles
This is a wonderful pub walk in and around the idyllic village of Castle Hedingham. The walk strolls through the pretty village itself, and then heads north on a loop through nice open countryside and quiet country lanes. There is also a lovely pub in the village to make this walk a perfect day out. If you have time, you could also explore the Hedingham Castle when you are in the village. There is a fee for entry and it's only open certain hours of the day, so check their website for details.
Castle Hedingham
8.5 miles
This second route is the one for you if you want to stretch your legs and enjoy an epic walking adventure in the countryside surrounding Castle Hedingham. The route is mainly made up of peaceful walking through open farmland, a couple of woodland sections and a visit to the villages of Great Maplestead. There is a short 200m section of walking alongside a busy road on the route, so please be careful here.
Chalkney Wood
1.75 miles
This is a nice short family-friendly walk around Chalkney wood which is an attractive ancient woodland. There is a section of quiet lane walking at the back of the wood to be aware of.
Chappel
5.25 miles
This is a lovely and varied countryside walk from the pretty village of Chappel. you'll enjoy plenty of picturesque countryside on this was, as well as a roam through the Chalkney Wood (that you can enjoy on a separate walk on the app if you wish). There are some mild ascents to climb on this walk and you'll certainly then work up an appetite for your reward at the lovely village pub when you finish your walk.
Chappel
6.25 miles
This second route from Chappel takes you in a different direction and explores the countryside to the East of the village. It still enjoys lots of the Essex Way and the River Colne and there is also another lovely pub half way around the route in Ford Street for some refreshments. There are some mild ascents to climb on this walk.
Cherry Orchard Park
2 miles
This is a relatively short family-friendly walk around the pretty Cheery Orchard Jubilee Country Park. The 200 acre park is a haven for wonderful wildlife and you'll enjoy open parkland walking as well as a stroll around the lake.
Cherry Orchard Park
3.5 miles
This second route is an extended version of the Country Park walk and this version added extra milage to the walk by visiting the far end of the park and roaming through some of the parks lovely woodland.
Cherry Orchard Park
4.75 miles
This longest route option again explores the woodland, parkland and lake of the Cherry Orchard Park with it's abundance of wildlife. However, this longer route also takes you outside of the park and along the Roach Valley Way to enjoy more woodland, more pretty countryside and there's even a little detour to visit a lovely pub if you want to make this a pub walk day out. There is a mild climb during this walk.
Chigwell
2.25 miles
A nice easy walk from Chigwell that starts by crossing a small bridge over Chigwell Brook. This circular walk takes you across fields, through a small wood and loops back along the high street where you will walk past Ye Old Kings Head, which was built in 1547 and immortalised in Charles Dickens 'Barnaby Rudge' as the Maypole Inn.
Chingford Plain
2.25 miles
This is a lovely short, but varied, family-friendly walk starting from Chingford Plain car park and taking you through the ancient woodland of the southern end of Epping Forest. Expect some wonderful woodland walking, a stroll around the pretty Connaught Water lake and lots of forest trails packed with glorious wildlife.
Chingford Plain
4.25 miles
If you have a bit more time, this longer route takes you much deeper into Epping Forest for a lovely and predominantly woodland adventure that also visits Connaught Water lake on the way around.
Chipping Ongar
0.5 miles
This first route is a simple and very short family-friendly pub walk around Chipping Ongar. The walk takes you through the high street where you'll find the pub, and then it takes you on a little loop around the outskirts of the 12th century Ongar motte and bailey castle site.
Chipping Ongar
3.75 miles
The second route is a longer route that you can enjoy of you want to stretch your legs a bit more. It heads west out of Chipping Ongar along the Essex way and the walk is made up mainly of open farmland, peaceful fresh air and a visit to the little village of Greenstead.
Chipping Ongar
6.5 miles
The third route option is a long countryside walk that also enjoys a large stretch of the Essex Way. This time however, it heads out east from Chipping Ongar, past the Ongar Castle site and out into peaceful open farmland. It also visits the village of High Ongar on the way around giving you another option for a pub if you need refreshments. There are some mild climbs on this route.
Chipping Ongar
8.25 miles
This final route is basically an extension of the second route heading west out of Chipping Ongar along the Essex Way. It basically offers a lot more open countryside, fresh air and exercise as you explore the area and it visits the villages of Greenstead, Toot Hill and Stanford Rivers. There are some mild climbs on this route and there is an alternative pub in Toot Hill if you need refreshments half way around the route.
Coggeshall
2.25 miles
Take a walk through the Tudor town of Coggeshall. Walk in the footsteps of Thomas Paycoke and visit The Chapel of St. Nicholas, St.Mary's Abbey and the medieval Grange Barn. There is some road walking on this walk, and parts of this route may get muddy.
Coggeshall
4 miles
This is a longer route in and around the Tudor town of Coggeshall. You will still visit The Chapel of St. Nicholas, St.Mary's Abbey and the medieval Grange Barn, but you will also venture out into the countryside on the Essex Way and walk along a stretch of the River Blackwater. There is some road walking on this walk, and parts of this route may get muddy.
Cudmore Grove and Mersea Island
3.5 miles
Enjoy a day out walking around the Essex coastline. Cudmore Grove is a designated Country Park covering 38 acres of beach, grassland, cliffs and saltmarsh. The area is also home to many species of bird. This route also includes some road walking.
Danbury Common
1.25 miles
A lovely short walk for the whole family to enjoy. This route includes open heath-land, wooded glades and wonderful wildlife. Get outside, get fresh air in your lungs and get exploring!
Debden
2 miles
This short route is a simple and pleasant stroll around the countryside surrounding the village of Debden. The walk visits the Saint Mary the Virgin church before taking you through some open countryside and visiting the Cabbage Wood. There are some mild ascents on this route.
Debden
6.75 miles
This is a lovely long walk from Debden to Newport and back, passing Debden Church, Debden Hall lake and through the glorious open Essex countryside. There are some mild ascents on this route.
Debden
7.25 miles
This is an alternative route from Debden that heads out east of the village, visiting the pretty Rowney Woods before taking you on a big loop through the open countryside around the village. There is some quiet lane walking on this route and some mild ascents to climb.
Dedham
1.75 miles
Take a walk through the lovely Stour Valley and Dedham Vale, the area made famous by the paintings of John Constable. This shortest route is a nice family-friendly stroll that enjoys the beautiful countryside and a stroll alongside the River Stour. The walk also has a little detour that takes you to the actual viewpoint from the famous Constable 'Hay Wain' painting.
Dedham
3.75 miles
This second route is an extension of the first walk for people who want to stretch their legs a bit more. This route enjoys more countryside and more riverside walking, but also visits the pretty village of Dedham where you'll find a lovely church and pub for refreshments. As with the other routes, this also includes a small detour to the Constable 'Hay Wain' painting viewpoint.
Dedham
7.75 miles
This final route option is a gloriously epic adventure that explores a large area of Dedham Vale, traversing the Essex Way for a while through lovely open countryside and tracking the River Stour for a significant portion of the walk. The walk also takes you through the pretty village of Dedham itself with it's lovely pubs and church and visits the famous Constable painting viewpoint.
Earls Colne
4.5 miles
Starting in Earls Colne village, this is a lovely walk across open countryside, through Chalkney Wood, along the river and through the Colne Valley golf course. (please be careful here, look out for flying balls and respect the golfers on the course!) There is also some road walking on this route.
Earls Colne
6 miles
This second route option is basically an extention of the first route for those of you that have a little bit more time for your walk. The extension enjoys everythign from the first route, but also takes you out of the back of Chalkney Wood for a further loop of open countryside walking. There is a bit of road walking and some mild ascents to climb on the route, and there's a nice pub on the village High Street.
Elms Farm Park
0.75 miles
This is a nice and short family-friendly stroll around Elms Farm Park, to the north of Maldon. The walk is only short, but it is pretty varied with some open parkland, riverside walking, a visit to a lake and some woodland path walking along the Blackwater Rail Trail.
Epping Forest
1.25 miles to 8.25 miles
We have three Epping Forest Walks on the app. The first is a short walk into Epping Forest with a hill and a pub. The second walk is 5.75 miles and takes you further into Epping Forest and also has hills. The third walk is 8.25 miles and is an energetic walk that explores a large part of Epping Forest including hills and woodland paths.
Epping Green
4.75 miles
A nice walk through the lovely Essex countryside. The route will take you along the Forest Way, the Three Forests Way, the Stort Valley Way and through Nazeing Golf Course. There are a few pubs to choose from on the route and there are some mild ascents to tackle which will help to build up an appetite.
Fingringhoe Wick
0.5 miles
Fingringhoe Wick is a wonderful Nature Reserve nestled on the majestic banks of the River Colne Estuary. This first route is a lovely short family-friendly stroll that takes you to the Picnic area, Kit's Pond and explores the East Heath area of the Nature reserve.
Fingringhoe Wick
1.75 miles
This second route option is the choice for you if you have a bit more time and want to fully explore this beautiful Nature Reserve. The route takes you to all corners of the Reserve including the Pond, Lake and Picnic Area.
Fordham
0.5 miles
This is a simple and short family-friendly circular stroll around some woodland in the Fordham Hall Estate. Great for a quick dog walk.
Fordham
3.75 miles
This is a longer walk around the pretty Fordham Hall Estate. You can expect nice open countryside, some woodland walking and a small stretch of walking alongside the River Colne. The walk also touches on the village of Fordstreet and there is a short diversion on the map to get to a lovely pub if you want to make this a wonderful pub walk day out. There are some mild ascents to tackle on this walk as you walk around the estate.
Fordham
5.5 miles
This third route is basically an extension to the second route and the extra distance is made up of more countryside walking and a walk through the pretty Hillhouse Woods. The short diversion on the south west edge of the route is where you'll find a lovely pub in Fordstreet! There are some mild ascents to tackle on this walk.
Fordham
8.75 miles
The longest route is a truly epic and varied adventure around the Fordham Estate and lovely surrounding countryside. It enjoys everything you get in the third route, but then heads much further west with a long stretch of walking alongside the winding River Colne. There are some mild ascents on this walk, and if you require refreshments to help tackle these, there is a lovely pub about half way around the route in Fordstreet.
Friday Woods
4.25 miles
This is a a wonderful walk around the beautiful Friday Woods which is an area of high nature conservation interest. The woods is an ancient woodland, modified in places with plantations of conifers and sweet chestnut. You can also expect to see lots of butterflies and bluebells if you visit this walk at the right time of year.
Frinton on Sea
1.25 miles
This is a simple short walk along the pretty esplanade at Frinton-on-Sea. The walk then takes you on a short optional detour up the main street if you want some ice cream or a pub for refreshments, and then it takes you back down to the seafront where you can stroll back along the beach.
Frinton on Sea
3.75 miles
This second route is the option for you if you have a bit more time and want a more varied walk from Frinton-On-Sea. It enjoys more of the esplanade than the first walk and also takes you along the beach, but this route also heads out into some open countryside, through a gold course and much further along the main shopping street in Frinton-on-Sea where you will find pubs and eateries. There are some mild ascents on this walk.
Frinton on Sea
6 miles
This final route is basically the same as route 2, but gives you a much longer stroll along the lovely peaceful esplanade and a much longer walk back along the lovely beach. There is a climb and ascent on the walk as you go from the Esplanade to the Beach.
Fyfield
2 miles
This is a nice and simple countryside walk around the village of Fyfield. You'll enjoy lots of fresh air and open countryside as you roam along public footpaths through farmland and there are also two nice pubs on the route if you want to make it a pleasant 'Pub Walk' day out.
Galleywood Common
1 mile
This is a nice short family-friendly pub walk in this unique and tranquil Essex common. The common's diverse habitats include heathland, woodland, scrub, grassland, ponds and mir. You will also walk along part of an old racecourse, visit the pretty church and of course visit the lovely pub for some refreshments.
Gaston Green
3.75 miles
This is a lovely circular walk that takes you north of Gaston Green on a long walk alongside the pretty River Stort, passing through the Thorley Wash Nature Reserve and through some open countryside as you go around.
Gaston Green
4.25 miles
This alternative walk instead heads south out of Gaston Green and follows the River Stort until you reach Sawbridgeworth. From there it loops back to the start point of the walk through pretty open countryside and farmland. There is a short section of road walking on this route.
Gaston Green
5.75 miles
The third route is basically an extension of the first route heading north of Gaston Green alongside the River Stort. The extension takes you through the woodland of the Rushy Mead Nature Reserve to add some extra exercise and variety to this walk. You can of course link this walk with the second route that heads South from the car park, to create an epic figure-of-eight adventure if you wish.
Goldhanger
8.75 miles
This long walk from Goldhanger and is a wonderful circular adventure starting from the lovely 11th century St Peters Church. If you head anticlockwise, the route takes you to the River Blackwater where you can embark on an epic stroll along the estuary with its salt marshes, mudflats and wonderful wildlife. When you return to the village through lots of open farmland, there is a wonderful 14th century Inn for refreshments.
Good Easter
4 miles
This is a nice and simple circular walk in the farmland and countryside that you'll find around the village of Good Easter. You'll walk along a section of the Essex Way on the walk and also visit the pretty Church in the village of Good Easter itself.
Gosbecks Park
0.75 miles
This is a nice and simple family-friendly stroll that doesn't go into Gosbecks Park (that's the second route), but instead heads in the other direction into the Westlands Country Park where you'll find a great play park for the kids.
Gosbecks Park
1.25 miles
This is a short family-friendly walk around the historical Gosbecks Archaeological Park. On face value this is just a pleasant enough field, but in reality the site is one of the most significant Iron Age and Roman sites in the country that includes the remains of one of the 5 largest Roman Theatres in Britain.
Gosbecks Park
5.5 miles
The third route is a longer walking loop that enjoys the best of the two other walks in one route. As well as visiting Westlands Country Park and the Gosbeck Archaeological Park, it also heads out to the south for a pleasant stroll around some open countryside and woodland.
Great Bardfield
1.75 miles
This is a lovely short family-friendly stroll from the pretty village of Great Bardfield. You'll enjoy some nice open countryside, a bit of walking along side the River Pant and of course a visit to the lovely pubs in the village if you need refreshment after your walk.
Great Bardfield
2.75 miles
This second route is the option for you if you want to swap the Pub part of the walk for more open countryside walking. It's not quite as varied as the first route, without the pub and riverside stroll, but you do get the extra walking distance for some of that well needed healthy exercise.
Great Notley Park
1.75 miles
Great Notley Country Park offers a great day out for the family. It's a 100 acre park near Braintree and in addition to the easy walking routes, it has Essex's longest kids play trail, sky ropes and a cafe.
Great Notley Park
3 miles
This is a simple extension of the Great Notley Park walk if you have a bit more time. It still enjoys everything that the park has to offer, but it also ventures out on public footpaths into open farmland, before strolling you around a large solar farm and then back into the park at the lake.
Great Oakley
4 miles
This is a simple and enjoyable countryside ramble in the farmland and countryside that you'll find around the village of Great Oakley. You'll enjoy lots of peace and fresh air on this walk and work up an appetite for a post walk reward at the village pub.
Great Wakering
2.25 miles
This is a nice short family-friendly walk around the common land you'll find above Great Wakering. It takes you past the Golden Jubilee community wood and then past a farm to the seawall where you can enjoy some waterside walking for a while before returning to the start. If you walk south from the car park into the village (about 700m) you will find a pub if you need some refreshments.
Great Wakering
4.5 miles
This second route enjoys the same waterside walking from the first route, but basically extends the distance for walkers who want to experience more of the nature and estuary walking that you'll find in this area. As before, the pub is a short walk into the village from the start point.
Great Wakering
6 miles
This final route is basically the longest route that fully explores the winding estuary loop that you'll find to the north of Great Wakering. There is plenty of waterside walking, fresh air and nature to enjoy on this lovely walk, and as with the other routes you will find a pub after a short walk into the village fro the car park (around 700m).
Great Waltham
1 mile
This is a lovely short family-friendly stroll in and around the pretty village of Great Waltham. If you head anticlockwise around the walk, you will first walk through the village on roadside paths for a while, and then you'll venture into the lovely Chatham Hall deer park. After the pleasant loop of walking around the park, you'll return to Great Waltham where you'll find a lovely village pub near the end of the route.
Great Waltham
6 miles
This second route is a much longer adventure in the countryside that you'll find to the west of Great Waltham. You will still explore the lovely deer park as in the first short walk, but then you will also venture out on the Essex Way path and enjoy lots of open countryside.
Hadleigh Castle
3.75 miles
This is a lovely circular route that enjoys a stroll around the beautiful Hadleigh Park and visits the ruins of Hadleigh castle. There is a cafe on site, and look out for the Mountain Bikers enjoying the many boking routes around the park.
Hadleigh Castle
5.25 miles
This second walk is an extension of the first route for people who have a bit more time to explore this lovely park. This longer route still enjoys the wonderful park and castle ruins, but it also extends further to the west of the park and explores the woodland of Benfleet Downs. There is a fair amount of hill walking on this route.
Hadleigh Castle
8.5 miles
The final route is an epic and varied adventure around this wonderful area. You'll visit the castle ruins, stroll through the pretty Hadleigh Castle Country Park, explore the woodlands of Benfleet Downs and enjoy a long stretch of walking alongside the Benfleet Creek estuary with it's abundance of wildlife. There are a lot of hills on this route, so you'll need to go prepared with plenty of energy. There is a Cafe on route in Leigh on Sea and a pub on the route in Benfleet to help with that energy though.
Hainault Forest
2.25 miles
A nice and relatively easy family-friendly walk around the pretty Hainualt Country Park. The walk will take you through ancient woodlands, around a lake and past a small children's zoo. Parts of the walk may get muddy during wet weather.
Hainault Forest
4 miles
This second route is an extension of the first route that takes you deeper into the Hainault Forest. You'll enjoy the lake, zoo and woodland from the first route, but also expect more woodland adventures and a walk along Cavill's Walk on this extended version of the walk.
Hatfield Forest
1.75 miles
This is a short family friendly stroll around the wonderful Hatfield Forest. It's a short walk, but packs in some woodland, open parkland and lakeside walking to create a great varied walk for all the family.
Hatfield Forest
2.25 miles
This second route is a slightly longer route that still enjoys the lake and woodland, but also takes you through the buttercup plains that turn into a wonderful sea of yellow in the spring.
Hatfield Forest
4.25 miles
The third option is the walk for you if you have more time and really want to really explore the forest. It takes you on a big loop that covers most of the forest, visiting the lake and buttercup fields on the way.
Hatfield Forest
7 miles
This is the longest route from Hatfield Forest and it is a varied walk of two halves. The first half explores the wonderful Hatfield Forest as with the other routes, but the second half of the walk instead ventures out into the open for a lovely walk in the pretty countryside to the east of Hatfield Forest (including a stroll along the Flitch Way disused railway line). Please note, there is around 500m of roadside walking on this route.
Heybridge Basin
2.75 miles
This is a popular and easy walking route around the pretty canal, Heybridge Basin and river Blackwater.
High Beech
0.75 miles
This is a lovely short family friendly woodland stroll around the High Beech section of the Epping Forest. If you want to make it a lovely Pub Walk day out, there's also a wonderful pub on the route.
High Roding
6.75 miles
This is a nice casual countryside walk amongst the pretty farmland surrounding the village of High Roding. You can expect relatively flat walking through open farmland offering lots of fresh air and exercise, and a visit to the small village of Great Canfield with it's picturesque church. There is then a nice pub in the High Roding high street if you want to make this a lovely day out.
High Woods Country Park
1 mile
This is a lovely short family-friendly stroll around the pretty High Woods Country Park. It is a nice varied walk for such a short walk as well, with beautiful woodland, open parkland and a stroll around the lake all packed in.
High Woods Country Park
2.75 miles
This second route is a longer walking loop that explores most of the High Woods county park. It of course enjoys lots of woodland walking, but also visits the lake and strolls through some pretty open parkland.
Hockley Woods
1.75 miles
A beautiful short family-friendly walk around the largest ancient wild wood in Essex that spans over 130 hectares. Explore the abundance of wildlife, trees and ancient plant species. This walk is a real treat for families and nature lovers.
Hockley Woods
2.75 miles
This longer route is an extension of the first route and pretty much covers most of the woodland in Hockley Woods. This is the choice for those of you that want to stretch your legs a bit more on your woodland walk and explore deeper into the forest.
Holland Haven Marshes
2.5 miles
This is a lovely family-friendly walk around the Holland Haven Country Park. One half of the walk is a lovely walk along the seafront and the other half winds it's way along the edge of the Holland Haven Marshes with it's abundance of wildlife to enjoy. There is a cafe for refreshments on the beach at the southern end of the walk.
Jaywick
10 miles
This is an epic adventure from the village of Jaywick, just to the south west of Clacton on Sea. If you head clockwise, the walk takes you on a long walk along the seafront until you reach the village of Lee-over-Sands, before heading back though open farmland to the village of St Osyth with it's pretty church and pub. After that, the route takes you back through more farmland and along quiet country lanes towards Jaywick.
Little Bentley
7.5 miles
This is a lovely peaceful walk around the countryside that you'll find around the village of Little Bentley. The walk is pretty flat throughout and it's mainly public footpaths through farmland, so please take the appropriate footwear. You'll visit the villages of Tendring, Raven's Green and Goose Green as well as a couple of small woods on your journey. There is a pub a short drive from the start in the village of Little Bentley itself.
Little Waltham
1.5 miles
This is a lovely short family-friendly stroll in the pretty countryside you'll find to the south of the Little Waltham village. You can expect some lovely riverside walking alongside the River Chelmer on this route.
Magnolia Park
0.75 miles
This is a simple family-friendly short stroll around the pretty Magnolia Park Nature Reserve. There should be plenty of wildlife on offer on this walk including the increasingly rare Bullfinch.
Maldon
1.5 miles
This is a lovely family and wheel friendly walk around the delightful holiday destination of Maldon with it's prominade, crazy golf and crabbing lake. A perfect day out for the whole family and there are plenty of refreshment options in the town itself.
Maldon
5.5 miles
This longer route also enjoys the promenade, but it then takes you on an adventure to walk around the wonderful Northey Island. On the walk you will see marshes, mud-flats an abundance of wildlife and the site of the battle Maldon that took place in 991 AD. WARNING - the causeway to Northey Island gets cut off for two hours either side of high tide. Before visiting, please check tide times and telephone the warden on (01621 853142) to let them know you are coming. Also, don't forget your wellies!
Matching Tye
3 miles
This is a nice short walk in the pretty countryside you'll find between the villages of Matching and Matching Tye. You'll visit both villages with a lovely country pub in Matching Tye, a wonderful church in Matching and you'll also enjoy some nice open farmland walking inbetween for plenty of fresh air and peaceful exercise.
Matching Tye
4.25 miles
This second route is basically an extension of the first route and is basically the walk for you if you have a bit more time or want to stretch your legs a bit more. The extension heads further north from Matching and the extra loops offers some lovely picturesque walking between the Gorse Woods and more open countryside.
Messing
4.5 miles
This walk starts in the lovely village of Messing and takes you through the ancient woodlands of Pods Wood and Layers Wood. You will also walk across fields, country lanes and open Essex countryside.
Mill Green
1.75 miles
This is a lovely short family-friendly stroll around the ancient woodlands of Millgreen Common and Stonymore Woods. There is also an optional 300m detour that takes you to a lovely pub if you want to make this a Pub Walk day out.
Mill Green
4.25 miles
This alternative longer walk starts from the Mill Green common car park and takes you on a woodland wander through a number of different ancient woods, each full of different tree species and a vast array of wildlife. As with the first route, there is an optional detour that takes you to a lovely pub if you want to make this a Pub Walk day out. There are also some mild ascents on this walk that will help you to build up a healthy appetite.
Norsey Woods
0.75 miles
There are plenty of walks for the whole family to enjoy around the ancient coppice woodland of Norsey Woods. It is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Scheduled Ancient Monument and a Local Nature Reserve. This short version of the Norsey Woods walk is suitable for wheels and the less able, with solid paths underfoot.
Norsey Woods
1.75 miles
This is the longer recommended route around the beautiful and ancient Norsey Woods. There is an abundance of wildlife and pathways to explore which were thought to date back to the Iron Age and there is also a Bronze Age burial mound, thought to be the only authenticated one in Essex. There are some steep slopes and it may get a bit muddy when it's wet on this longer route that is less suitable for wheels.
North Fambridge
2.5 miles
This is a wonderful waterside walk that is packed full of wildlife as you walk around the site of the 600 acre Blue House Farm. The top half of the loop is a permissive path that is only open between April and October, but the bottom half of the walk, that runs alongside the River Crouch, is a public footpath and open all year around. This means you could do a 'there and back' walk if you're visiting out of season.
Old Hall Marshes
2.5 miles
This is a beautiful walk that will be enjoyed the most by people who love water and nature. The whole area consists of extensive grazing marshes with brackish water fleets, reedbeds, saltmarsh and two off-shore islands. There are plenty of breeding birds to spot as you walk around this route.
Old Hall Marshes
6.25 miles
This extended route from the Old Hall marshes is basically the best choice if you have more time and want to explore the entire marsh. The loop takes you right around the edge of the marsh, so it's waterside walking all the way.
Pleshey
1.75 miles
This is a lovely short family-friendly pub walk around the pretty village of Pleshey. One half of the walk is a stroll through the village itself with it's pub, pond and the remains of it's famous motte and bailey castle. The other half is a simple loop through open farmland for fresh air and leg stretching before enjoying the refreshments at the pub. Please note, the village hall has said it's fine to park there, but sometimes the gates are locked or they have a private function - in this case, you can park roadside in the village.
Pleshey
5.25 miles
This second route is a longer extension of the village walk which still enjoys the village and it's motte and bailey castle, but this version extends the countryside element of the walk. The extra distance takes you much further along the Essex way towards Great Waltham and you can expect much more fresh air and exercise on this longer route. Please note, the village hall has said it's fine to park there, but sometimes the gates are locked or they have a private function - in this case, you can park roadside in the village.
Quendon
3.25 miles
This walk is an easy countryside stroll from the pretty village of Quendon. Your walk will take you through nice open countryside, quiet country lanes and along the side of Quendon Woods. If you need refreshments before or after your walk, there are two pubs on the route.
Quendon
6.25 miles
This second walk is an extension of the Quendon walk that allows you to spend more time exploring the delightful and peaceful countryside around the pretty village of Quendon. There are two pubs on the route if you need topping up with energy and refreshments.
Beeleigh Falls and River Blackwater
1.75 miles
This is a lovely short walking loop, perfect if you are in the mood for some riverside walking, surrounded by nature. The walk visits the Blackwater Weir, and then embarks on an adventure on footpaths alongside the River Blackwater and the River Chelmer, visiting the Ironworks Meadow on the way around. The footpaths also take you around the outside of the Maldon Golf Course, so look out for any wayward flying balls!
Rochford
2.25 miles
This is a short circular walk from the town of Rochford. You'll visit the town itself and it's park, before heading out on a loop that walks alongside the River Roach for a while and passes the derelict Stambridge Mills.
Rochford
7.25 miles
This second route is a long and interesting circular walk from the town of Rochford. As with the first walk, you'll stroll around the town itself, visiting it's River Roach park, and then heading out on a walk alongside the River Roach. However, it then also heads out much further to the east of the town, enjoying plenty more walking alongside the River Roach and visiting the village of Stambridge where you'll find a pub for refreshments.
Roxwell
3.75 miles
This is a simple circular countryside walk from the village of Roxwell. The loop is mainly made up of farmland and open countryside and it's off the beaten track, so it's a nice walk for fresh air, peace and quiet and a perfect walk to build up an appetite before visiting the village pub if you so desire. The walk includes a long gentle ascent as you walk up towards Skreens park.
Roydon
2.75 miles
This is a nice circular walk from the village of Roydon. The walk is quite varied with a stretch of walking alongside the River Stort, some open countryside walking for fresh air, peace and quiet and a walk through the village itself where you will find plenty of eateries for refreshments. If you head anticlockwise, there is a mild ascent on the walk as you climb up through The Grove woodland.
Roydon
4.5 miles
This second route is an extension of the first route that still enjoys a long stretch of walking alongside the River Stort, but it also takes you on a walk around the pretty 130 acre lake, Glen Faba. The footpaths are in good condition and there is a small amount of roadside walking. There are also some lovely pubs in Roydon Village. As with the first route, there is a mild climb on this route.
Saffron Waldon
1.25 miles
This short walk is the Saffron Walden Town Heritage Trail that takes you on a walk around some of the historically important parts of this pretty market town. You will visit the museum and castle ruins, the market square where markets are still held, the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin and a number of charming old pubs on this route.
Saffron Waldon
10 miles
This is a long and epic adventure around the countryside surrounding Saffron Waldon. It heads south through the lovely Audley End Estate (you can explore the estate further for a fee) and then takes you on a big countryside loop. The loop takes you through mainly open farmland and over gentle hills, travelling along parts of the Saffron Trail and the Harcamlow Way, and visits the villages of Newport and Wendens Ambo on the way (both with pubs for refreshments). There is a section of roadside walking on the route, so please be careful here and as it's a very long walk, please only use the app when absolutely necessary for navigation and ideally take some alternative navigation with you.
Shoeburyness
1.75 miles
This is a nice and interesting historic coastal walk from Shoeburyness. It' has flat and solid paths throughout and the walk takes you on a loop around Gunners Park where you'll visit two World War Two gun turrets.
Southern Country Park
1 mile
This is a nice family-friendly country park walk in this park to the south of Bishops Stortford, just over the border into Hertfordshire. There's a pretty lake to enjoy on this route and solid wheel-friendly paths underfoot.
Southern Country Park
1.5 miles
This is an extended version of the Southern Country Park walk, that explores more of the pretty park, but takes you off of the more solid wheel-friendly paths for half of the walk.
St Osyth
1.75 miles
This is a nice and simple varied circular walking route from the village of St Osyth. You'll visit the village itself with its various eateries and a pub and then embark on a pleasant walking loop around the pretty Mill Dam Lake.
Stoke-by-Nayland
4.25 miles
This first route is a glorious walk around the undulating countryside that you'll find in the Dedham Vale Area of Natural Beauty (just across the county border into Suffolk). This is the region that inspired so many of John Constable's wonderful paintings and you can see why as you enjoy this walk. There is a significant portion of backtracking on this shorter route, so if you want to avoid this, the second route is a longer version that takes you on a full loop instead of tracking back the way you came. The area is also mildly undulating, so expect some gentle ascents on this walk.
Stoke-by-Nayland
6 miles
The second route from Stoke-by-Nayland is an extension of the first walk and it's the option to choose if you want to enjoy the wonderful Constable countryside, but want to avoid the backtracking from the first route. There are some mild ascents on this route, and if that helps build an appetite, there is a great pub in the village to enjoy after your walk. There are also a couple of short roadside walking sections on this route, so please be careful on these.
Thaxted
1.75 miles
This is a nice simple family-friendly stroll around the pretty village of Thaxted. You'll explore the village itself with it's pretty church and pub, you'll also visit the John Webb's windmill which is a nice spot for a picnic, and the rest of the route is around open countryside/farmland for some exercise and fresh air.
Thaxted
3.75 miles
This second route is basically an extension of the first walk, that still visits the village, church and windmill, but it enjoys a much longer walk out in the open countryside for those of you that want to stretch your legs a bit more. There are some mild ascents and descents as you walk around this route.
Thorndon Country Park
1 mile
Thorndon Country Park is a great day out for the whole family. There are lots of walking routes including woodland, wildlife, open parkland, streams and lakes. This short route is the nice family-friendly Gruffalo trial what is good for buggies/wheelchairs and great for the kids as they hunt out the Gruffalo animal sculptures on the route.
Thorndon Country Park
4.75 miles
This second route is a much longer walk for those that want to avoid the Gruffalo hunting crowds and stretch their legs a bit more more whilst exploring the full expanse of the Thorndon Country Park. You can expect a nice varied walk with majestic woodland, woodland ponds and open pastures with nice views.
Thrift Wood
1.75 miles
This is a nice family-friendly stroll around Thrift Wood which is made up of 48 acres of ancient woodland managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust. There is a small amount of roadside walking to get to and from the woods.
Tillingham
0.75 miles
This is a simple and short family-friendly pub walk around the pretty village of Tillingham. The main part of the walk is visiting the village itself with it's two lovely pubs to choose from and a nice church to visit. You'll also walk through the West Field recreational park with it's play area and skatepark for the little ones.
Tillingham
14 miles
In contrast to the first tiny walk, this second route is a truly epic all-day walking adventure from the lovely village of Tillingham. If you head anticlockwise, this route takes you through open farmland until you meet the majestic River Blackwater. The walk then heads west for a long and rewarding walk alongside the estuary until you reach the village of St Lawrence where you'll find a lovely waterside pub for refreshments. After this, the route then heads back through flat open farmland to Tillingham where you'll find two more delightful pubs and a pretty church.
Tiptree Heath
1.25 miles
This is a nice short family-friendly stroll around the pretty Tiptree Heath Nature Reserve. The Nature reserve is the only place in Essex where you can find all three Heather species growing together and it's the largest area of lowland heathland in the country.
Two Tree Island
1.5 miles
Two Tree Island is a small island covering 257 hectares and is connected to the mainland at Leigh by a bridge. It is also a nature reserve and a refuge for a huge variety of wildfowl and waders. This first short route explores the eastern side of the island.
Two Tree Island
1.75 miles
This is the second route option on Two Tree Island which basically explores the west side the island and allows you to enjoy even more wildlife in this intriguing nature reserve.
Two Tree Island
3 miles
This final route option is basically both of the first two routes added together to create a figure of eight walk that explores the whole of the Nature Reserve on Two Trees Island.
Warlies Park
1.25 miles
This is a nice short family-friendly circular walk around a section of the pretty Warlies Park & Gardens.
Wat Tyler Country Park
1.25 miles
Visit the Wat Tyler Country Park for a nice family day out. The park has 125 acres of walks, wildlife spotting, kids adventure park and even a miniature railway. Please check what is currently open before travelling.
Weald Country Park
1.75 miles
Weald Country Park is one of the best parks you will find to explore in Essex. It has a vast array of different walking areas to enjoy including woodlands, parkland, country lanes and lakes. This first route is a short family-friendly walk that enjoys the lake, some pretty open parkland and a walk along Chestnut Avenue through the lovely woodland.
Weald Country Park
3.75 miles
This longer route still enjoys the beautiful parkland and lake from the first route, but this option goes much deeper into the woodland and park itself to make this a wonderful longer walk for the whole family to enjoy.
Westley Heights
1 mile
Westley Heights Country Park has a good network of footpaths taking you though ancient woodlands dating back to prehistoric times. This first route is a lovely easy access walk on paths suitable for wheelchairs and buggys.
Westley Heights
2.5 miles
This second longer route enjoys the Westley Heights park as in the first walk, but it then extends the journey with a trip deep into the Old Hill woods where you'll find some fabulous views. The second route is not suitable for wheels and has some mild climbing.
Wickham Bishops
3.25 miles
The walk is lovely ramble through the countryside around Wickham Bishops. The route takes you through woods and along a glorious stretch of the River Blackwater. It's a long relatively mild descent to get down to the river, so be prepared for the climb back up. There is a section of quiet lane walking at the start of this route, so please be careful.
Wivenhoe
1 mile
This is a lovely short family-friendly stroll from the town of Wivenhoe. The route is mainly riverside with a walk alongside the quay and River Colne, but it also walks through the Ferry marsh Nature Reserve and also through a short section of the Wivenhoe Woods. There are plenty of refreshment options on the route in the town.
Wivenhoe
2.75 miles
This second route is basically an extension of the first route that enjoys a much longer stretch of walking alongside the River Colne, and then also enjoys a majestic stroll through the Wivenhoe Woods, making this a lovely varied walk. There are plenty of pubs in the town if you want to make this a thoroughly enjoyable pub walk.
Wivenhoe
3.5 miles
This slightly longer route option heads in the opposite direction to the other two routes. It takes you east out of Wivenhoe and includes the River Colne estuary, open countryside, lanes and lovely views. There is some road walking on this route and if you fancy a drink on the quayside, why not pop into the Rose and Crown pub.
Woodham Walter
1.25 miles
This route is a nice and simple family-friendly stroll around the open farmland and woodland around the village of Woodham Walter. There is also a lovely pub in the village to enjoy after your walk.
Wrabness
1.75 miles
A nice short family-friendly stroll which starts from Wrabness train station car park. On this route you will walk past Grayson Perry’s “A House for Essex” which was commissioned as part of the Living Architecture programme. When you reach the Stour estuary, you will have the opportunity to see the varied wildlife before you loop back again to the start. There is some road walking on this route. There is a gentle descent down to the estuary on this route, so be ready for a mild climb back up.
Wrabness
3.75 miles
This second walk is an extended version of the first route which is a fabulous walk if you have a bit more time and energy. This version of the walk enjoys a lot more walking alongside the estuary with it's abundance of wildlife as well as a lovely stroll through the pretty Stour Woods, making this a wonderfully varied walk. As with the first route, there is a gentle descent down to the estuary on this route, so be prepared for the mild climb back to the start.
Map image credit:
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database right 2021