Flat, wide, and full of sky — a slow and tranquil landscape of rivers, broads, and quiet nature reserves.
The Norfolk Broads form the northern half of the Broads National Park — a peaceful world of reed-fringed waterways, grazing marshes, and historic windpumps. While much of the area is known for boating holidays, it’s also an ideal setting for self-guided walking, with riverside trails, circular loops, and long-distance paths connecting timeless villages and nature reserves.
This is walking at its gentlest. From Wroxham to Hickling, Horning to Horsey, you’ll find low-level routes winding through wetland fen, quiet lanes between broadland hamlets, and expansive views across open water. The pace here is unhurried — perfect for birdwatching, photography, and the quiet joy of just putting one foot in front of the other.
Let the water guide your way.
A long-distance trail running through the heart of the Broads, with gentle paths linking villages like North Walsham, Hickling, and Acle via disused railways and riverbanks.
A haven for wildlife and home to Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s largest reserve — walk boardwalks through reedbeds and catch sight of marsh harriers, cranes, or the elusive bittern.
Wander through wet woodland to a floating wildlife centre, then climb the church tower for panoramic views across the Broads.
A riverside trail connecting two of the Broads’ most characterful villages, passing moored boats, open water, and hidden nature spots.
A scenic walk from the restored National Trust windpump to the North Sea dunes — famous for its winter seal colony and wide, windswept skies.
These featured routes run through or begin in the Norfolk Broads — ideal for self-guided walking holidays and slow, waterside exploration.
