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District:
Start: Crossroad between Hugh Street and Church Street, Saxmundham Grid ref. TM 386 630
(S/E) At the town crossroads take Mill Road West for 370 m.
(1) Pass by the housing estate road on the left and there is a footpath just beyond the junction. Continue down this and where it meets a road continue straight ahead down the side of the fire station. This emerges in a new housing estate, on Gilbert Road. Unfortunately there are no footpath signs to direct the unwitting rambler to the rerouted path that once existed here. Take Drake Close on the right.
(2) The path is through the fence on the left which immediately emerges onto the main A12. Cross straight over and follow the path across the field heading for the ruined buildings straight ahead. Keep to the left of these, following the field boundary alongside the ditch. Where this ends head for the turning of the field boundary diagonally across the next field.
At this point, there is a waymarker which points down the left side of the ditch. This can be taken although it is easier to take the right side of the ditch and follow the track which the path joins further up. The track then bends around to emerge onto Deadmans Lane.
(3) Turn right then take the first footpath on the left. This follows the field boundary, and the edge of the woodland. At the top turn right to follow another footpath which junctions this. Continue along this, which then follows the boundary to more woodland.
(4) Before this path turns right, take the path on the left into the edge of the woodland. These leads through a strip of forest and then into the ancient Dodds Wood which is a pleasure to pass through. Keep to the waymarked path which eventually emerges onto a track.
(5) Turn right and follow the track which roughly follows the course of the River Alde. The track passes a cottage and continues onwards as a footpath.
(6) Where it meets a hedge, turn left. This passes over the river and up to some more woodland. Follow the path through the wood and then continue straight ahead to a hedge with a waymarker. Turn right and follow the path which passes through a hedge, over a field and through a strip of woodland. On emerging from the wood the field drops down to a stile to lead out onto the road.
(7) Go straight ahead, over the river bridge and into Rendham. The church is on the right and the pub straight ahead. Where the road turns sharp right with the pub ahead, continue around the bend.
(8) Then take the first left. Follow this lane to the top then turn right. At the end where the lane junctions follow it around to the right.
(9) Then take the path on the left. Follow this until it emerges onto a country lane. Turn right and follow the lane as it bears around to the left. keep to this until it dips down into a valley where there is woodland on the left.
(10) Take the path on the right. The path leads through to the A12, then continues on the other side. Keep to the path until it emerges along a hedgerow to a field. Follow this, heading towards Carlton Church.
(11) Pass the church and follow the path that leads through a park and into the back of Brooke Farm housing estate. An alley leads through to the road through the estate. Cross straight over and follow the path through to Henley Close.
(12) Turn left and follow this road.
(13) Where the road bends around in a hook, look out for a path on the left which leads through to Harpers Lane. Continue down to the main road (B1121), turn right and follow the road into Saxmundham town centre. (S/E)
Walker
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Difficult 
