Hikes & Walks in Essex

The Essex Way is a long-distance path stretching from Epping to Harwich a distance of approximately 81 miles. The Essex Way was the first county Long Distance Path to be created in 1972.  You can walk it in stages, or make a holiday of it by staying in accommodation along the way. On average it takes 5-7 days to walk the full path.

The Stour Valley Walk, which begins at Pegwell Bay and ends in the Low Weald and North Downs, takes you through some of East Kent's most beautiful areas. Along the trip, you'll pass through undulating grassland, woodlands, marshes, peat bogs, orchards, and lovely towns. The route may be accomplished in portions or over a long weekend.

From the source of the River Stour in Lenham to Canterbury, the Stour Valley walk meanders across the Kent Downs AONB. Between Wye and Chilham, one of the most beautiful portions of the Stour Valley Walk may be found, traversing through a rolling environment with panoramic vistas. 

Take a walk around Mersea Island! With lots of stunning vistas and fauna to see and spectacular sunsets, this place is the perfect walking spot.There are several areas to rest and enjoy the scenery while enjoying the local Colchester Native Oysters. If seafood is not your style, there are plenty of taverns and cafés to choose from.

The wild and secluded circular trek around Northey Island is only a short distance from the ancient town of Maldon in the tidal Blackwater River estuary. Northey is reached through a tidal causeway that was used in the Battle of Maldon. Northey Island is bordered by salt marsh and creeping tides and is the source of the world-famous Maldon sea salt. Thousands of shelduck, godwit, avocet, greenshank, and plover, as well as Brent geese, winter on the island's margins and graze Northey's pastureland.

The Wivenhoe Trail, one of Colchester's most popular walks, is a 5-mile informal trail that runs from Colchester town centre to the riverside town of Wivenhoe. Pick up the route along the river in Castle Park and follow the River Colne as it runs out to sea. Brilliant for an evening walk by the water!

Naze Tower & Nature Reserve is located southeast of the aquatic world that surrounds Horsey Island, which is a complex of canals, creeks, and islands. Before touring the rest of the reserve, climb the spiral stairs of the navigation tower to the observation platform for far-reaching views across the eroding coastline to the North Sea. It's a mile-long trek through nature that's brief yet gorgeous.

The 4,000 acres of Epping Forest, one of Britain's oldest woodlands, are crisscrossed with footpaths that stretch from Greater London to the Essex market town of Epping. The Lime, Chestnut, Hornbeam, Holly, Willow, and Beech pathways illustrate the range of trees found in the area. This short walk follows the Oak Trail, which is marked by green arrows. It's a fantastic choice in the summer when the shade of the trees gives welcome relief from the sun's heat. Take a break and relax against an old-growth tree to enjoy a picnic while listening to the sounds of the forest.