Full Description
Discover the best of Essex on foot, with 25 day walks and an inspiring 80-mile (130km) journey across the county along the Essex Way. From the green edges of London and the ancient woodlands of Epping Forest, through picturesque market towns and unspoilt coastline, to the port of Harwich in the east, you'll find the wide variety and hidden charms of Essex at every stage.
Ideal for walkers of all abilities, Walking in Essex includes 25 circular and linear routes ranging from 4 to 18 miles (7-29km), walkable in 2 to 8 hours, and an end-to-end cross-county route divided into 11 manageable stages. Whether you wish to complete the Essex Way in its entirety, walk shorter sections, or enjoy classic day walks, this comprehensive Cicerone guide allows you to tailor your adventure to your interests, timeframe, and experience.
Explore a wealth of landscapes and history as you journey through salt marshes, chalk uplands, ancient green lanes, and the iconic scenery of Dedham Vale. The routes visit lively towns and villages such as Chelmsford, Colchester, Saffron Walden, and Southend, with points of interest including Audley End, Hatfield Forest, and Constable's beloved countryside.
Enjoy Essex's unspoilt woodlands and coastline, discovering bluebell and oxlip woods in spring, vibrant hedgerows in summer, and the spectacle of migrant birds in winter. Each walk brings to life the county's geology, history, and famous local characters, with environmental stewardship schemes supporting the return of buzzards, otters, and butterflies.
Walks can be enjoyed year-round, with most suitable for a range of abilities and offering shorter alternatives. Six routes showcase the coastline, while the others span the county's varied heartland; linear routes include easy return options.
Each stage features an information box with clear start and finish points, distances, estimated walking times, ascent and descent, and practical advice on accommodation, public transport, refreshments, and parking at key locations including Chelmsford, Colchester, Saffron Walden, and Harwich.
Navigate confidently with detailed Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 map extracts for every walk, featuring overlays to guide you along the described route.
Plan your Essex walking adventure with confidence and immerse yourself in the county's diverse landscapes, history, and wildlife, supported every step of the way by this definitive Cicerone guidebook.
Contents
Map key
Overview map
Introduction
The geology of Essex
Natural Essex
Town and village
When to go
Getting there and getting around
Where to stay
Access and waymarking
What to take
Maps
Using this guide
Coast and Estuary
Walk 1 The Naze peninsula
Walk 2 Mersea Island
Walk 3 The marshes around Tollesbury
Walk 4 St Peter's Chapel and Bradwell marshes
Walk 5 River Crouch
Walk 6 Leigh-on-Sea and Hadleigh Castle
Inland Essex
Walk 7 Orsett Fen
Walk 8 Havering-atte-Bower
Walk 9 Hainault Forest and Lambourne
Walk 10 Mill Green and Writtle Forest
Walk 11 Danbury
Walk 12 Moreton and the Matchings
Walk 13 The River Stort at Harlow
Walk 14 Hatfield Forest
Walk 15 Debden and Widdington
Walk 16 Arkesden, Chrishall and Elmdon
Walk 17 Great Chesterford and Saffron Walden
Walk 18 Ashdon
Walk 19 Radwinter and Bendysh Woods
Walk 20 Thaxted and Great Easton
Walk 21 Finchingfield and Great Bardfield
Walk 22 Castle Hedingham and Hull's Mill
Walk 23 Chalkney Wood and Earl's Colne
Walk 24 Bures to Sudbury
Walk 25 Dedham
Across Essex: Manor Park to Harwich
Stage 1 Manor Park to Epping
Stage 2 Epping to Ongar
Stage 3 Ongar to Salt's Green
Stage 4 Salt's Green to Great Waltham
Stage 5 Great Waltham to White Notley
Stage 6 White Notley to Coggeshall
Stage 7 Coggeshall to Fordstreet Bridge
Stage 8 Fordstreet Bridge to Great Horkesley
Stage 9 Great Horkesley to Dedham
Stage 10 Dedham to Wrabness
Stage 11 Wrabness to Harwich
Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Useful contacts
Appendix C Nine more long-distance paths in Essex
Appendix D Further reading
