Norfolk – Saltmarsh Coast, Heathland, and Wide Skies
Open landscapes shaped by tide, light, and long-distance walking
Norfolk is one of the defining self-guided travel landscapes of the East of England, where walking routes link tidal shoreline, marsh, heath, and quiet countryside between long-settled coastal villages and rural places. Much of the coast lies within the Norfolk Coast National Landscape, and the The Norfolk Coast Path follows the edge of the North Sea from Hunstanton to Great Yarmouth, while the Peddars Way runs inland through Breckland toward Knettishall Heath, connecting Wells-next-the-Sea, Blakeney, Cromer, Holt, and other villages into continuous journeys across wide, low-lying landscapes shaped by water and light.
Walking here is defined less by elevation and more by distance and exposure. Seawalls, firm beaches, reed-fringed creeks, and quiet lanes allow steady progress beneath expansive skies, creating a rhythm that feels unhurried and open. The terrain rarely demands steep climbs; instead, the experience is shaped by weather, tide, and the gradual meeting of land and sea.
The coast gives the county much of its character. Dunes, saltmarsh, and grazing marsh stretch between nature reserves and small harbours, while inland heathland and pine woodland provide a quieter contrast to the shoreline. Together these environments form a connected system of routes and places that reward longer days on foot, where movement flows naturally from village to village rather than between busy hubs.
Settlements sit lightly within the landscape. Fishing harbours, market towns, and small rural communities provide natural pauses along the way, reinforcing Norfolk’s calm, spacious character and its suitability for slower, self-guided journeys.
Trails and Routes Through Norfolk
Norfolk Coast Path
A long-distance shoreline route through beaches, dunes, saltmarsh, and harbour villages across the Norfolk Coast National Landscape.
Peddars Way
A straight Roman road running south from Holme-next-the-Sea through Breckland heath and forest, often combined with the coast for a longer inland–coastal crossing of the county.
Weavers’ Way
An inland path linking Cromer with Great Yarmouth through woodland, farmland, and Broadland wetlands.
Paths through the Norfolk Broads
Gentle riverside and wetland walking around open water, reedbeds, and historic mills.
Walking Character
- Wide skies and open horizons
- Saltmarsh, dunes, and tidal creeks
- Long beaches and firm coastal paths
- Heathland and pine forest inland
- Village-to-village walking with regular services
- Generally gentle terrain suited to steady, longer days on foot