Explore the Suffolk Coast and Heaths with a Cicerone Guidebook
Suffolk Coast and Heaths Walks
3 long-distance routes in the AONB by Laurence Mitchell
A handy, pocket-sized guide to 3 long-distance walks in Suffolk, 40 to 60 miles long: the Suffolk Coast Path (Lowestoft to Felixstowe), the Stour and Orwell Walk (Felixstowe to Cattawade) and the Sandlings Walk (Ipswich to Southwold). Three weekends of easy walking covering the whole of the Suffolk Heritage Coast, largely in an AONB. More...
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The three long-distance routes in this guide – the Suffolk Coast Path, the Stour and Orwell Walk and the Sandlings Walk – explore some of the most appealing landscapes in southern England largely within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB. Easy for those with moderate fitness levels, they can each be walked in a long weekend or all three combined to complete a circuit of the entire Suffolk Heritage Coast, visiting Lowestoft, Felixstowe, Cattawake, Ipswich and Southwold.
The Suffolk Coast Path stretches along the coast between Lowestoft in the north and Landguard Fort, close to Felixstowe in the south, a total distance of 55-60 miles (89-97km) depending on whether beach walking or inland options are followed.
The Stour and Orwell Walk continues where the Suffolk Coast Path ends, starting at Landguard Point threading for 43 mile (69km) around the estuaries of the Stour and Orwell rivers to finish at Cattawade, close to the Essex border.
The Sandlings Walk (59 miles/94.5km) thoroughly explores the heathland region that lies immediately inland from the Suffolk coast. With the exception of the first stage, between Ipswich and Woodbridge, the route of the Sandlings Walk lies entirely within the confines of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB.
The step-by-step route descriptions highlight the many features to be admired among the region’s estuaries, marshes, dunes and sand and shingle beaches and the rich history of the once-key seaports of Southwold, Dunwich and Aldeburgh.
- much of the Suffolk coastal region is a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- routes described in detail and illustrated with OS map extracts
- includes information on transport to and from the area, including the different ferries used for linking sections of route
Seasons
all the routes can be walked at any time of year; summer is the busiest time and accommodation may be hard to find during the Aldeburgh Festival in June; spring and autumn are best for watching birds; winter has its own charm when you may find that you have the place to yourselfCentres
Lowestoft, Southwold, Felixstowe and IpswichDifficulty
all of these coast and heath walks are easy for those of moderate fitness; no special ability or equipment is necessary and the only challenge comes from attempting to complete the long-distance routes in succession as a multi-day itineraryMust See
Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB; once-great sea ports like Southwold, Dunwich and Aldeburgh; a landscape characterised by estuaries, marshes, dunes, sand and shingle beaches; unique scenery and wildlife










