Suffolk Coast Path

Suffolk Coast Path

An overview of the Suffolk Coast Path, a 60 mile long distance path following the coast of Suffolk

A 60 mile long distance footpath from Felixstowe to Lowestoft in easy stages through some of the most characteristic landscapes of the AONB. The path, formerly known as the Suffolk Heritage Coast Path, has recently been extended to include the Orford Loop which provides access through to Orford. Alternative beach walks, providing the tide is right, can be undertaken throughout.

• Notes
• Directions
• Links
• Images
• Maps

Essential Information

Walk Statistics:

Start point: Lowestoft View in OS Map | View in Google Map

End Point: Felixstowe View in OS Map | View in Google Map

Total Walk distance: 65 miles

Walk difficulty: Easy

Maps:

OS Map: OS Explorer Map Sheet OL40 The Broads
OS Map: OS Explorer Map Sheet 231 Southwold & Bungay
OS Map: OS Explorer Map Sheet 212 Woodbridge & Saxmundham
OS Map: OS Explorer Map Sheet 197 Ipswich, Felixstowe & Harwich

OS Route Map: Full screen plot of route on an OS map

Google Route Map: Full screen plot of route on a Google map

GPX file for walk: Downloadable GPX coordinates of walk

Walk Notes ToC  

The actual distance of this path varies depending upon what website or information leaflet one reads. The official route from Lowestoft to Felixstowe is approximately 60 miles. The Orford Loop will add an additional 15 miles to this unless the Butley Ferry extension is used. With beach alternatives, which reduce the distance slightly, there is no definitive distance.

The path follows the Suffolk coast from Lowestoft to Felixstowe, however, due to coastal erosion some sections have been diverted inland. The sections from Pakefield to Southwold and more recently the section from Sizewell to Thorpeness have redefined routes. It is still possible to walk both of these sections along the coast providing the tide is right. For full details of up-to-date diversions and information visit Suffolk Coast Path Restrictions section on the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Website

At Felixstowe the path joins the Stour and Orwell Walk, a 42 mile path around the Shotley peninsular to Cattawade and Manningtree. From February 2012 Suffolk Coast and Heaths adjusted The Stour and Orwell Walk so that it now starts from Languard Common and the former coastal section from Felixstowe Ferry to Felixstowe town has become part of the Suffolk Coast Path and is waymarked as such.

The Suffolk Coast Path can be broken down into the following sections:

• Lowestoft to Southwold (inland): In 2011 the inland route was diverted and now passes through Frostenden Corner. The previous route went through Potters Bridge Marshes but was subject to frequent flooding.
• Lowestoft to Southwold (beach): It is essential to check the tide tables before walking the beach. This section should only be walked between mid and low tide and even then it can be impassable during storm surges and adverse tide conditions when Easton, Benacre and Covehithe Broads can be breached. The section in front of the cliffs at Pakefield can also be impassable at high tide. Having said this, choosing the right time and day, this section is quite spectacular and is well worth walking.
• Walberswick to Dunwich: This section navigates through the marshes and can be subject to flooding, particularly in winter months. Alternative routes are beach which is predominantly shingle although there can be a little sand revealed at low tide, or use the Sandlings route which navigates around the perimeter of the marshes.
• Dunwich to Sizewell: The route heads inland to Dunwich Heath and then passes in front of Minsmere Bird Reserve. An alternative route is via the beach which is predominantly shingle although there can be a little sand revealed at low tide.
• Sizewell to Aldeburgh: Due to erosion of the cliff on the North side of Thorpeness the path has now been diverted inland across Thorpeness Common. The route can be walked along the beach although the section in front of the houses on the north-side of Thorpeness is completely impassable at high tide. An alternative is to take the path up the cliff just before the houses which leads onto the common with access into Thorpeness village.
• Aldeburgh to Iken: The path navigates around the Alde estuary using the footpath known as the Sailors Path. The section between Snape Maltings and Iken Cliff can be subject to flooding for a short periods of time at high tide.
• The Orford Loop: An extension to the main path allows access along the Alde estuary to Orford. This continues through to Gedgrave where there is a ferry to Butley. The ferry only operates on weekends and bank holidays between Easter and the end of September. There is an alternative route from Orford which rejoins the main path at Chillesford
• Iken to Felixstowe: The path runs through Tunstall forest and then follows the Butley River and Ore River to Shingle Street. The section into Bawdsey navigates inland due to coastal erosion. There is no alternative on this section. The Bawdsey to Felixstowe ferry operates daily from May to September and weekends only from Easter to October. As from February 2012 the path continues along the seafront to Felixstowe town along the former route of the Stour and Orwell Walk.

Being based in Suffolk and living within easy reach of the central section of the Suffolk Coast Path I regularly walk the route between Southwold and Snape many times each year. In 2008 I walked the complete path over a period of several days during late July/early August, using public transport to link each end of a days walk and making circular routes from many of the central sections. The Sandlings Walk, which runs parallel to The Suffolk Coast Path, makes a convenient route to create a circular walk along a lot of the sections between Southwold and Snape.

Public transport is not very accessible although there is a good bus service between Southwold and Lowestoft (Anglia buses 601/602 Service) and Aldeburgh and Snape (Anglia buses 165 Service). The section from Snape through to Felixstowe is particularly remote but can be walked within a day (21 miles) with a return bus from Felixstowe to Ipswich, then the 165 bus back through to Snape and Aldeburgh to link the two ends. When I walked the Snape to Felixstowe section in 2008 I cant recall seeing a single person until I reached Bawdsey. 20 miles of serenity and peace.

There are campsites along the route including Tangham Forest Camping (just off route in Rendlesham Forest), The Jolly Sailor at Orford (rooms also available),Sizewell Cliff House and Southwold Harbour Campsite which breaks the distance into manageable day-walks.

I have always been amazed how little this path is exploited. There is very little information about the route online and sparse promotion by the local authorities. This really is a delightful walk that can be undertaken by anyone of moderate fitness. The path runs through some truly outstanding areas of natural beauty plus gives access to the exquisite villages of Orford and Thorpenss, Dunwich and Walberswick.

2013 Coastal Erosion

It should be noted that during March 2013 a large section of Kessingland Beach was washed away. This is close to the Benacre Sluice, south of Kessingland village and was reported in the Eastern Daily Press. It is uncertain at the present time of the consequences and effects this has had on the Suffolk Coast Path which is routed past the sluice.

Another section of the coast path has also suffered from the results of Coastal Erosion. The beach section in front of Bawdsey Manor is currently impassable and the route is now diverted along the road to Bawdsey Quay.

Directions ToC  

The path is marked out with the distinctive yellow on blue waymarkers.

The route is depicted on OS maps and very well sign-posted throughout. The alternative beach sections are not marked but are merely a case of walking along the beach.

Links and Bibliography ToC  

Walks around The Suffolk Coast Path

An index of the walks around the long distance path of The Suffolk Coast Path that are contained on this site. Each walk details pubs en route, transport linking start and end and features to look out for.

A Trek Around Sole Bay

Publlished: 2011-06-11 | Updated: 2013-09-10

A 24 mile circular walk between Sizewell and Southwold along the Suffolk Coast Path and Sandlings Walk.
Read more...

Labels: Suffolk, Sandlings, Features:Local History, Suffolk Coast Path, Circular Walk, Distance:Hike, Coast Walk

 

A Walk around Suffolk's Minsmere Bird Reserve

Publlished: 2013-03-10 | Updated: 2013-09-10

A 10 mile circular walk through the Suffolk Coastal Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty taking in Sizewell and the Minsmere Bird Reserve
Read more...

Labels: Suffolk, Sandlings, Suffolk Coast Path, Circular Walk, Distance:Medium, Coast Walk

 

A Walk to Walberswick

Publlished: 2012-05-30 | Updated: 2013-09-28

A 22 mile circular walk between Leiston and Walberswick incorporating sections of the Suffolk Coast Path and Sandlings Walk.
Read more...

Labels: Suffolk, Sandlings, Features:Ferries, Features:Local History, Suffolk Coast Path, Circular Walk, Distance:Hike, Coast Walk, Forest Walk

 

A Walk to the Dunwich Leper Chapel

Publlished: 2012-03-18 | Updated: 2013-09-28

A 15 mile circular walk from Leiston to Dunwich along the Suffolk Coast Path
Read more...

Labels: Suffolk, Sandlings, Suffolk Coast Path, Circular Walk, Distance:Hike, Coast Walk, Features:Ruins

 

Autumn on Thorpeness Common

Publlished: 2011-12-15 | Updated: 2013-09-13

An 7 mile circular walk across the commons of the East Suffolk Coastal area linking Leiston, Thorpeness and Sizewell.
Read more...

Labels: Suffolk, Suffolk Coast Path, Circular Walk, Distance:Medium, Features:Flora and Fauna, Coast Walk, Diary of a Suffolk Common

 

Coastal Erosion at Thorpeness

Publlished: 2013-01-01 | Updated: 2013-09-10

A circular walk from Sizewell to Thorpeness along the Suffolk Coast Path
Read more...

Labels: Suffolk, Suffolk Coast Path, Distance:Medium, Coast Walk, Diary of a Suffolk Common

 

In Search of the Lost City of Dunwich

Publlished: 2011-02-28 | Updated: 2013-09-10

Once upon a time Dunwich was the largest city in East Anglia.
Read more...

Labels: Suffolk, Sandlings, Distance:long, Features:Museums, Features:Local History, Suffolk Coast Path, Circular Walk, Coast Walk

 

In Search of the Mysteries and Legends of Iken and St Botolph

Publlished: 2011-02-13 | Updated: 2013-09-10

A 7 mile walk along the Alde estuary, following the Suffolk Coast Path from Snape to Iken
Read more...

Labels: Suffolk, Riverside Walk, Features:Local History, Features:Folklore, Suffolk Coast Path, Circular Walk, Distance:Medium

 

Southwold Circular Walk

Publlished: 2012-05-06 | Updated: 2013-09-28

An 6 mile circular walk around Southwold
Read more...

Labels: Suffolk, Suffolk Coast Path, Circular Walk, Distance:Medium, Features:Piers, Coast Walk

 

Southwold to Covehithe Circular Walk

Publlished: 2013-06-15 | Updated: 2013-09-10

An 11 mile walk along the Suffolk Coast Path between Southwold and Covehithe
Read more...

Labels: Suffolk, Suffolk Coast Path, Circular Walk, Distance:Medium, Coast Walk

 

Suffolk Coast Path - Lowestoft to Southwold Beach Route

Publlished: 2010-11-10 | Updated: 2013-09-29

An exhilerating 12 mile coastal walk along the Suffolk Coast.
Read more...

Labels: Suffolk, Distance:long, Suffolk Coast Path, Features:Coastal Erosion, Coast Walk, Beach Walk

 

Suffolk Coast Path - Lowestoft to Southwold Inland Route

Publlished: 2013-10-01 | Updated: 2013-10-01

A 17 mile walk using the official inland route to the Suffolk Coast Path
Read more...

Labels: Suffolk, Features:Churches and abbeys, Suffolk Coast Path, Distance:Hike, Coast Walk, Features:Ruins, Features:Watertowers

 

Suffolk Coast Path - Orford to Butley Ferry

Publlished: 2011-12-01 | Updated: 2013-09-13

A 7 mile Suffolk circular walk along the banks of the Ore and Butley rivers between Orford and the Butley Ferry river crossing at Gedgrave.
Read more...

Labels: Suffolk, Features:Ferries, Features:Local History, Suffolk Coast Path, Circular Walk, Distance:Medium, Coast Walk

 

Suffolk Coast Path - Sizewell to Aldeburgh Circular Walk

Publlished: 2010-08-14 | Updated: 2013-09-10

A circular walk from Sizewell to Aldeburgh along the Suffolk Coast Path
Read more...

Labels: Suffolk, Distance:long, Suffolk Coast Path, Circular Walk, Coast Walk, Diary of a Suffolk Common

 

Suffolk Coast Path - Snape to Felixstowe

Publlished: 2012-11-22 | Updated: 2012-11-22

A 21 mile walk along the Suffolk Coast Path between Snape and Felixstowe
Read more...

Labels: Suffolk, Suffolk Coast Path, Coast Walk

 

Sun, Sea, Beer and Chips

Publlished: 2011-05-03 | Updated: 2013-09-10

A 13 mile circular walk from Leiston to the White Hart Beer Festival in Aldeburgh
Read more...

Labels: Suffolk, Distance:long, Suffolk Coast Path, Circular Walk, Coast Walk, Festivals and Events

 

The Orford Loop, Tales of Castles and Mermen

Publlished: 2011-03-20 | Updated: 2013-09-10

A 16 mile walk around the Orford Loop section of the Suffolk Coast Path
Read more...

Labels: Suffolk, Features:Castles and Forts, Riverside Walk, Features:Local History, Features:Folklore, Suffolk Coast Path, Circular Walk, Distance:Hike, Coast Walk

 

The Sandlings Walk - Dunwich to Southwold

Publlished: 2010-08-29 | Updated: 2013-09-10

A 15 mile circular walk along the Sandlings footpath between Dunwich and Southwold, with an option of returning either via the beach or the Suffolk Coast Path through Dingle Marshes
Read more...

Labels: Suffolk, Sandlings, Distance:long, Suffolk Coast Path, Circular Walk

 

Images ToC  

Below are a selection of images taken from from the photo album for this walk. There are links to the entire photo album plus a slideshow of all the images. Feel free to browse through these or click on any image to view a larger version in the Gallery.

View complete photo album

Click on an image below to view the Image Gallery

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Maps ToC  

OS Map of Route

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Google Map of Route

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Summary of Document Changes

Last Updated: 2013-10-01+01:00

2012-04-20 : adjusted to take into account the relocation of the start of the Stour and Orwell Walk and the end to the Suffolk Coast Path

2013-03-19 : Add in route changes caused by 2013 coastal erosion. Also realign the dead links to Suffolk Coast and Heaths website

Related Walks

• Walks around Lowestoft
• Walks around Southwold
• Walks around Dunwich
• Walks around Thorpeness
• Walks around Aldeburgh
• Walks around Snape
• Walks around Orford
• Walks around Bawdsey
• Walks along the Suffolk Coast Path