West Horndon to Basildon
A station-to-station walkEssexSouth East England
A long route, the first half not recommended: field-edge paths and bridleways choked with giant hogweed and tall summer vegetation, blocked paths and around 2km of intense, boot-clogging mud across ploughed fields. The eastern half is far better, through country parks, nature reserves, woodland and meadow with long views across Basildon. Kissing gates and long shallow steps and some uneven ground. Passes through Langdon Hills Country Park and Willow Park Nature Reserve. A shop and pub at Bulphan (off route); toilets at the country park with a nearby Harvester.
Woodland: a fifth under tree cover.
Lunch: A shop and pub at Bulphan and a pub on Brentwood Road (both off route), plus toilets and a nearby Harvester at Langdon Hills Country Park.
Warnings: Dangerous thickets of 3-4m giant hogweed fill and block the bridleway from Parkers Farm Road and recur on later field-edge paths; avoid these sections. Around 2km of severe, sticky mud; blocked paths; a clay-pigeon shoot nearby.
Credits
Walk details: Slow Ways.