Marshes, Coast and Forest

Wander around Walberswick with its river, heath and marshes, or take a longer walk to Dunwich.

Technical sheet

3878505
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.58 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 16 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 16 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 21 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: -3 m

Description of the walk

(S/E) Start on Walberswick village green, facing Ferry Road and turn right towards the village hall, following the road as it bears right onto The Street.

(1) Take the footpath on your left just before you reach The Anchor pub. Take the right fork, then the left fork, then turn left again. You should now be on the Suffolk Coast Path with the narrow Dunwich River immediately on your left (look out for the Suffolk Coast Path marker discs). Follow the Suffolk Coast Path across marshes, passing the derelict Walberswick windpump. The marshes support scarce wildlife, such as the bittern, that depends on freshwater but these marshes are at risk of becoming saline if sea defences cannot be sustained.

(2) Continue following the path for approximately 1.5km to the edge of Dunwich Forest, then follow the track with the forest on your right and Dingle Marshes on your left.

(3) When the road is reached at Bridge Farm on the edge of Dunwich, turn left. From Dunwich, you can either retrace your route, or walk back along the beach to Walberswick. The top of the shingle bank provides the best views but the sandier shoreline makes for an easier walk. In winter, however, the beach route may be impassable.(S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 5 m - Walberswick village green
  2. 1 : km 0.16 - alt. 5 m - The Anchor pub
  3. 2 : km 1.8 - alt. -2 m - Suffolk Coast Path
  4. 3 : km 5.58 - alt. 3 m - Bridge Farm
  5. S/E : km 11.58 - alt. 5 m - Walberswick village green

Practical information

Paths and tracks, some of which can be very muddy at certain times. Please be aware of tides when walking along the coastline. At high tides, the coastal route may be impassable.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 1 review

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Clarity of route map
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
JohnHom
JohnHom

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Nice easy walk for noobs to walking as my wife and I are, pretty flat terrain. Lots of older people on the same walk too, which illustrates that it's an easy walk.

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