From the Norfolk Coast Path and its salt marshes to the tranquil waterways of the Broads, the sandy tracks of the Brecks, and the wide-open Fens, Norfolk offers day walks across coastal, riverine and countryside landscapes, all within easy reach of towns and villages.

This guidebook presents 40 circular day walks, ranging from 4 to 12 miles (6–19 km) in Norfolk, allowing walkers of all abilities to explore this quintessential British countryside. With easy access from London, you could experience sections of well-known long-distance paths such as Peddars Way, Weavers Way and Boudica’s Way, as well as quieter countryside trails. 

• Each route features concise step-by-step descriptions to guide you through the Brecks, Broads and Fens, with walks typically lasting 1 - 5 hours
• Descriptions are supported by detailed 1:40,000 Ordnance Survey maps and a route summary table, letting you quickly assess distance, terrain and time to match your ability
• Walks cover the Northeast Coast & Broads, South Norfolk's Yare & Waveney valleys, North Norfolk coast, Brecks and Fens, with easy access from key centres such as Norwich, King's Lynn, Great Yarmouth and Cromer
• Explore the area’s history, geology, wildlife and seasonal highlights, from summer wildflowers to winter coastal changes
• Practical guidance is included on public transport, access points and refreshment stops, helping walkers link routes or enjoy circular walks without relying on a car

By expert local author Laurence Mitchell, this Cicerone guidebook equips you to explore Norfolk’s landscapes with confidence. Whether you’re based in Norwich for a short holiday or seeking flat, family-friendly routes, these 40 circular walks reveal hidden corners, historic villages and the county’s scenic coastlines, rivers and salt marshes, inviting you to discover Norfolk’s unique character in every walk. 

Author Highlight

“Of course, topography is not the be-all and end-all of a landscape’s beauty. As any fan of the Fens will tell you, what the landscape lacks in elevation it makes up for with enormous skies and cloud formations of Himalayan proportions. Indeed, I have been told – quite seriously – by a native Norfolk acquaintance that ‘the trouble with mountains is that they get in the way of the view’."

- Laurence Mitchell, author of Walking in Norfolk 

Map key
Route summary table

Introduction
A brief history
Landscapes
Wildlife
National parks and AONBs
Getting there and back
When to go
What to take
Food and drink
Waymarks and access
Safety
Maps
Using this guide
Longer walks in Norfolk

1 Northeast coast and the Broads
Walk 1 Winterton-on-Sea 
Walk 2 Potter Heigham and Hickling Broad
Walk 3 North Walsham
Walk 4 Happisburgh
Walk 5 Horstead and River Bure

2 South Norfolk, the Yare and Waveney
Walk 6 River Chet and Hardley Marshes
Walk 7 Outney Common and Earsham
Walk 8 Rockland St Mary and Claxton
Walk 9 Surlingham
Walk 10 Burgh St Peter and ‘The Triangle’
Walk 11 Burgh Castle
Walk 12 Shotesham
Walk 13 Fritton Common
Walk 14 Harleston and Redenhall
Walk 15 Cringleford and River Yare
Walk 16 New and Old Buckenham

3 North Norfolk and coast
Walk 17 Sheringham and Beeston Regis
Walk 18 Bodham and Baconsthorpe
Walk 19 Itteringham
Walk 20 Aylsham and Blickling
Walk 21 Old Hunstanton, Thornham and Holme-next-the-Sea
Walk 22 Snettisham
Walk 23 Salthouse and Cley-next-the-Sea
Walk 24 Blakeney and Wiveton Downs
Walk 25 Little Walsingham, Houghton St Giles and Great Snoring
Walk 26 Brancaster Staithe and Barrow Common

4 Central Norfolk and Breckland
Walk 27 Thompson Common and Pingo Trail
Walk 28 Swannington and Upgate Common
Walk 29 Hockering
Walk 30 Shipdham
Walk 31 Santon Warren and Thetford Forest

5 West Norfolk and Fens
Walk 32 Harpley and Peddars Way
Walk 33 Tittleshall and Godwick
Walk 34 Helhoughton and West Raynham
Walk 35 Castle Acre
Walk 36 Roydon and Roydon Common
Walk 37 Narborough and Nar Valley
Walk 38 Beachamwell
Walk 39 Hilgay Fen
Walk 40 The Wiggenhalls

Appendix A Useful contacts
Appendix B Further reading
Appendix C Long-distance walks in Norfolk

Seasons

all routes can be walked year-round; each season has its charms: summer for wild flowers; spring and autumn for migrating birds; the austere landscape of winter, especially on the coast

Centres

Norwich, King's Lynn, Great Yarmouth and Cromer

Difficulty

all routes are easy to moderate and can be done by anyone of reasonable fitness; no specialist equipment or skills necessary; Norfolk may not be quite as flat as it is sometimes claimed but with the highest land just 100m above sea level walking is largely on the level

Must See

surprisingly varied landscapes: a spectacular coastline of sand dunes, saltmarsh and tidal creeks; the unique inland waterworld of the Norfolk Broads; the dry Breckland region and the big-sky country of the Fens

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