Walks from Burnham-on-Crouch

A family-friendly circular around the Essex coastal town of Burnham-on-Crouch — from parkland to the marina, along the quay beside the Crouch estuary and out into open countryside, passing the commemoration site of a First World War airfield.

Wallasea Island Wild Coast

1 end-of-walk reward: the White Harte Hotel

Walk details: Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership (local insights).

An attractive linear walk from the charming riverside town of Burnham-on-Crouch, following the Crouch riverside before a steady climb across the rolling farmland of central Essex to Southminster, with a return by train on the Crouch Valley Line.

Time: 1h30–2h30

Walk details: Essex & South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership (local insights).

Similar walk: Slow Ways (inc. GPX).

Flat sea wall path, tidal river, salt marshes, mudflats, reed ponds, creeks, marinas and riverside promenade.

Time: 4h30

Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).

Recommended: A great route with a variety of different environments. A great route with a variety of environments and lots of off-road walking, both coastal and woodland, with sea-wall and intertidal sections along the Crouch estuary, vineyard views, woodland in nature reserves, quiet lanes. Includes slopes and steps and various gates; some sections can flood on a spring tide. Passes through two Essex Wildlife Trust reserves (Blue House Farm and a Maldon West railway-line reserve), favoured by birders, with benches along the way. Crosses the Three Rivers Golf Club. Bridgemarsh Island is visible in the Crouch. Prehistoric shark teeth can be found in the 'Creeksea Cliffs'. Can be broken at Fambridge or Althorne stations.

Coastal: three fifths along the coast.

Time: 6h–12h

Lunch: A convenience store and chemist near the start; the River Breeze Cafe at Fambridge Yacht Haven; long stretches with no shops or refreshments.

1 end-of-walk reward: the White Harte Hotel

Warnings: Crossing the Burnham Road (B1012) has no controlled crossing and vehicles travel fast, though visibility is good. Ferry Lane and parts of the coast path can flood on a spring tide; avoid the outgoing tide at the wild-swimming spots.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

The walking part is 5 superb; really it's lovely - big skies, creeks, Paglesham church - very enjoyable. A walk through increasingly rural, remote Essex marshland: big skies, creeks and sea-wall paths and with some exposed stretches and a few narrow nettley paths. The route depends on a seasonal ferry across the River Crouch. Crosses the River Crouch by seasonal ferry; check times and confirm with the ferryman before travelling. Paglesham Church is open and welcoming with an eco-toilet. A loop diversion via Paglesham East End is possible.

Coastal: half along the coast.

Time: 4h–7h30

Lunch: There is also a pub at Great Stambridge for refreshment.

Warnings: The route crosses the River Crouch by a seasonal on-demand ferry (Good Friday to end of September, weather permitting); outside this period it cannot take you the whole way, and the ferry has proved unreliable, so call ahead to confirm. Long exposed stretches need sun protection. Wallasea is an island that can be cut off by very high tides covering the path.

Walk details: Slow Ways.