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Walkers on the Norfolk Coast Path near Holme-next-the-Sea — a landscape of sand, sea, and sky.

Walking Holidays & Outdoor Adventures in Norfolk

Coast, Wetlands, and Big-Sky Country

Where reed beds, tidal flats, and quiet lanes lead you into landscapes shaped by water, wind, and time.

Norfolk offers a unique kind of outdoor experience — spacious, subtle, and deeply connected to nature. It is a county shaped by wide skies and slow landscapes, ideal for walking holidays, gentle exploration, and nature-led travel. Along its northern and eastern shores, the Norfolk Coast opens onto sweeping saltmarshes, dunes, and low cliffs, while inland rivers wind through woodlands and floodplains, linking market towns, windmills, and wildlife reserves. Across the county, quiet lanes and scenic byways also make Norfolk well suited to relaxed cycling holidays, with welcoming villages never far apart.

This is a landscape of gentle gradients but remarkable depth. Whether you’re walking the Norfolk Coast Path, following Roman roads across the Brecks, kayaking the waterways of the Norfolk Broads National Park, or drifting between villages on two wheels, Norfolk invites stillness, observation, and a slower pace of travel. It’s a place where outdoor adventures feel immersive without being extreme, shaped more by light, water, and wildlife than by height or drama.

Much of the county lies within the Norfolk Broads National Park, one of the UK’s most distinctive wetland landscapes. Here, riverside paths and boardwalk trails pass windmills, reed beds, and wildlife hides alive with bitterns, kingfishers, and marsh harriers. The Broads offer a peaceful backdrop for self-guided exploration, with waterside routes, quiet moorings, and a wide choice of traditional inns, cottages, and riverside places to stay scattered along the network of rivers and footpaths.

Featured Trails

Peddars Way & Norfolk Coast Path

A long-distance route combining inland heritage with coastal wilderness. The Peddars Way begins near Thetford, following a Roman track through farmland and heathland before joining the Norfolk Coast Path at Holme-next-the-Sea. From there, it curves past saltmarshes, dunes, and harbours through Wells-next-the-Sea, Blakeney, and Cley-next-the-Sea, creating one of England’s most atmospheric coastal journeys.

Weavers’ Way

A 61-mile route from Great Yarmouth to Cromer, weaving through the Broads, farmland, and quiet villages. With easy gradients and timeless scenery, the Weavers’ Way captures the slower side of Norfolk, linking river valleys, windmills, and historic market towns along its length.

Bure Valley Path & Circular Walks in the Broads

For shorter walks and gentle cycling, follow the Bure Valley Path from Aylsham to Wroxham, or explore one of the many boardwalk routes near Hickling, Ranworth, and Horning. These accessible trails offer close encounters with wetland landscapes, heritage railways, and some of the most tranquil corners of the Broads.

Adventure Highlights

  • Coastal walking along dunes, cliffs, and saltmarshes
  • Long-distance routes shaped by Roman roads and sea air
  • Kayaking, paddleboarding, and canoeing through the Norfolk Broads
  • Quiet-lane cycling between villages and nature reserves
  • Birdwatching in internationally important wetland habitats

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best long-distance walking routes in Norfolk?
Norfolk is home to three major long-distance trails: the Peddars Way, which follows an ancient Roman road through heathland; the Norfolk Coast Path, which runs along the saltmarshes, beaches, and dunes of the coast; and the Weavers’ Way, which winds inland from Great Yarmouth to Cromer through the Broads and quiet countryside.
Can I explore Norfolk on foot without a car?
Yes — Norfolk is well suited to car-free travel. Trails like the Norfolk Coast Path are supported by the Coasthopper bus, and towns such as Thetford, Cromer, and Wroxham are served by rail connections, making linear and circular routes easy to plan.
What kind of scenery can I expect when walking in Norfolk?
Expect wide skies, peaceful landscapes, and rich nature. The county offers a mix of saltmarshes, dunes, shingle beaches, reed beds, lowland heath, woodland paths, and river trails.
Are there places to stay near walking routes in Norfolk?
Yes — many walker-friendly stays are available near the main trails, including B&Bs, cottages, pubs, and guesthouses. Coastal towns such as Wells-next-the-Sea, Blakeney, and Cley, as well as inland villages like Great Massingham and Aylsham, make ideal bases.
When is the best time of year to go walking in Norfolk?
Spring and autumn offer mild weather, fewer crowds, and migrating birds. Summer brings long daylight hours along the coast, while winter delivers atmospheric walking through quiet marshes and nature reserves.