Where to Start the Norfolk Coast Path
The Norfolk Coast Path begins at Hunstanton on the north-west coast of Norfolk, where self-guided travel, walking routes, coastal landscapes, and open places meet at the edge of The Wash. From here, the route follows the shoreline eastward toward Hopton-on-Sea, linking beaches, dunes, saltmarsh, and coastal towns into a continuous journey shaped by sea and sky.
Hunstanton
Hunstanton marks the official western start of the Norfolk Coast Path, with the route beginning along the seafront where promenade and shoreline meet.
There is no single formal trailhead. The path emerges naturally along the coast, guided by waymarking and the line of the shoreline itself.
At the start point you’ll find:
- Open access to the seafront and promenade
- Clear Norfolk Coast Path signage
- Views across The Wash
- Facilities including cafés, shops, and accommodation
From the outset, the route is defined by openness — wide horizons, coastal light, and steady movement along the edge of land and sea.
Nearest Train Station: King’s Lynn
The nearest rail access point is
King’s Lynn railway station, located inland from Hunstanton.
King’s Lynn provides direct connections to London King’s Cross via
Great Northern, forming the main rail gateway for walkers starting the route from the west.
Getting to Hunstanton
From King’s Lynn, the coast is reached by:
Bus
Regular services connect King’s Lynn to Hunstanton, providing a direct link between rail arrival and the start of the trail.
Taxi
A straightforward option for a short journey from the station to the seafront.
Arriving the Day Before
For many walkers, the journey begins the day before setting out.
Arriving via King’s Lynn and continuing on to Hunstanton allows time to settle, reach the coast, and begin walking the following morning. Starting this way creates a natural transition from travel to walking, with the first full day spent moving east along the shoreline.
Starting the Route in Sections
The Norfolk Coast Path can be joined at multiple points along its length, particularly where access and facilities are available.
Common alternative starting locations include:
- Sheringham and Cromer, both with rail connections
- Wells-next-the-Sea, centrally positioned along the route
- Great Yarmouth, for walking westward
This flexibility allows the route to be walked in sections as well as in a continuous end-to-end journey.
The First Section: Hunstanton to Holme-next-the-Sea
From Hunstanton, the path heads east toward Holme-next-the-Sea, where the character of the coastline begins to shift.
This opening stretch includes:
- Sandy shoreline and low cliffs
- Expanding views across The Wash
- Dunes and coastal nature reserves
- The meeting point with the Peddars Way
It is a gentle introduction to the route, with distance unfolding gradually along an open and exposed coastline.
A Coastal Beginning
Starting the Norfolk Coast Path is less about a defined point and more about entering the landscape.
From Hunstanton, the route draws you east along the shoreline, where light, weather, and tide shape the experience from the very first steps. Movement is steady and unhurried, with the rhythm of the coast establishing itself early.
