7 Of The Best Walks In Essex
From the North Sea coast to the wonderful woodland trails of Epping Forest, there are lots of great walks in Essex. So if you’re searching for activities for your summer staycation, looking for an easy walk near London or planning to explore Essex on a short break, you should find plenty of choice when it comes to attractive walking routes.
Of course Essex is a pretty big place, so to help you find suitable trails Pitchup’s team of keen walkers have come up with this list of seven of the best walks in Essex. Read on to find details of circular trails, pub walks, family-friendly outings and lovely places for an Essex dog walk, among other things.
If you’d like to spend more than just a day in the splendid scenery of Essex, how about planning a camping break here? It’s a particularly good location for a camping trip near London, and Pitchup has a great range of campsites to choose from – click the link below to see the latest availability for your dates.
Epping Forest
Covering 4,000 acres, Epping Forest is one of Britain’s oldest woodlands and renowned for its mix of tree species – it’s home to chestnut, lime, beech, hornbeam and willow trees among other varieties. With an intricate network of trails extending from the edge of London to the market town of Epping, there are lots of options for walking in Epping Forest.
Handily, several of the most popular walking trails in Epping Forest are loop trails that can be accessed from one of the area’s tube stations, making this a great destination for a circular countryside walk near London. It’s also an excellent choice for an Essex walk with the kids, as it’s pretty flat but has lots to see – and also some dedicated children’s trails like the Brambly Hedge Trail.
Benfleet to the Thames Estuary
The castle ruins and coast views are just a couple of the things that make the four-mile route from Benfleet to the Thames Estuary such an attractive option for a walk. Our team of keen walkers also appreciate the fact that there’s a railway station at either end of this out-and-back route, making this a good option for those looking to do an Essex walk via public transport.
You’ll set out from Benfleet railway station, then continue a little way south-east down the main trail to the bottom of Benfleet Downs by the Olympic cycle paths. From here, you can turn left to climb the hill to Hadleigh Castle, which dates all the way back to the reign of King John in the early 13th century.
It's then a gentle drop down to Leigh-on-Sea, during which you’ll be looking out at the unfolding backdrop of the North Sea. When you arrive in Leigh, you’ll find a good range of cafés and pubs for some well-earned refreshment, and maybe a paddle on the beach before getting the train back to the start point.
There are plenty of ways to adapt this route to suit your own tastes – including turning it into a circular walk from Leigh-on-Sea.
Walton-on-the-Naze walks
The seaside town of Walton-on-the-Naze makes a great starting point for walks around the Essex coast, whether you stick close to the North Sea shore or combine coast and countryside into one walk.
If you’re walking with kids, the Naze Nature Reserve, managed by Essex Wildlife Trust, is a great place to aim for. The two-mile Geotrail is an excellent circular trail for children, with the chance to explore rockpools or search for fossils on the beach at low tide.
For a slightly longer walk, follow the four-mile trail from Naze Tower along the new Crag Walk coastal defence system – this is a trail full of variety, passing historic sights, crossing a nature reserve and taking in some beach time too. You can extend the walk with a diversion to Hamford Water, a popular spot for migrating birds; look out for common and grey seals while you’re walking too.
Heybridge Basin Osea Island loop
For a full day’s walk that’s pretty easy but has plenty to see, the 10-mile loop from Heybridge Basin has to be among the best circular walks in Essex. It starts from the Heybridge Basin car park and takes you along the coast for a while – past beach huts and natural marsh areas – before turning inland and passing through the wildlife-filled Chigborough Lakes reserve.
Along the way you’ll also pass The Stumble, the causeway that links the mainland to Osea Island – as it’s privately owned, Osea is not open to the public, so you’ll just have to gaze from afar at the celeb retreat. And who knows who you might meet here? Both Stormzy and Rihanna have recorded albums at Osea Island’s top-end music studio, and the island hosted Olly Murs’ wedding in 2023.
There are a couple of nice cafés along this route (including the Osea View Café and The Farm Café by Black Pig), and you can finish up at The Jolly Sailor in Heybridge if you’d like to reward your walking efforts with a waterside pint.
Mersea Island
You may not be able to get onto privately owned Osea, but Mersea Island is very much up for grabs – and it’s home to some of the best easy walks in Essex. A network of seven colour-coded trails runs across Mersea, ranging from 1.5 miles to 3 miles – choose your favourite or combine a couple together to make the most of the island’s varied landscapes, which include marshes, meadows and grassland as well as beaches.
Mersea Island isn’t a huge place, but it’s got a lot to offer for all sorts of walkers. Cudmore Grove Country Park is a popular spot for dog walks and birdwatching, while the 1.5-mile ‘Old City’ walk crams a lot of history into a short walk. Meanwhile, those with lots of energy can do the full 13-mile circuit of the island – it usually takes around five hours.
And of course Mersea is well known for its seafood – oysters in particular – so it’s an excellent place for a day out that combines a bit of exercise with a delicious lunch, and it’s also home to some great pub walks (The Fox and the White Hart are particularly well placed for walkers).
Wivenhoe Trail
Starting in Colchester and running along the banks of the River Colne to the town of Wivenhoe, the Wivenhoe Trail is a popular five-mile trail that’s ideal for those looking for an easy walk in Essex countryside. It’s mostly flat and runs along footpaths, and tracing the course of the river means it’s easy to follow as well as scenic.
Once you’ve arrived in Wivenhoe, take a stroll through the historic streets, use the foot ferry to hop over the river to Rowhedge or settle in at one of the town’s pubs for a meal and a drink before heading back. To get back to Colchester, you can either retrace your steps along the path or use the local bus and train services if you don’t fancy the walk.
Along Alresford Creek to Thorrington Tide Mill
For another Essex countryside walk, head to Alresford and follow the trail along the banks of Alresford Creek to Thorrington Mill, where you can visit the oldest tidal mill in Essex and take a tour of Thorrington Mill Vineyard.
Running along the banks of the creek and through farmland on marked footpaths, this is an easygoing three-mile circular trail that makes a great option for a dog walk or a day out with the kids.
The routes we’ve chosen here are just a few of the lovely walks Essex has to offer – find more or make sure you’re sticking to your chosen route on these trails by downloading the Essex Walks app before you set off. If you’re visiting the area and fancy staying overnight to soak up more of the scenery, you’ll also need to book somewhere to stay. Take a look at Pitchup’s list of Essex campsites and glampsites and you’ll be able to find the latest availability for your dates, with instant confirmation and no booking fees.