Walking Trails

Walking the Essex Sunshine Coast: Discover Tendring on Foot

From windswept headlands and peaceful creeks to historic towns and bustling piers, the Tendring district offers some of the most varied and scenic walking routes on the Essex Sunshine Coast. Whether you’re after a gentle seaside stroll or a day-long adventure, this corner of Essex is rich with accessible, waymarked trails that reveal a coastline full of characterful villages, unexpected wildlife, and fascinating stories from the past.

Highlights include the haunting Witch Heritage Trail around Manningtree, St Osyth, Harwich and Walton-on-the-Naze.  You’ll find seaside charm on the Frinton to Jaywick promenade walk, tranquil riverside views between Mistley and Manningtree, and artistic inspiration on the estuary route from Wrabness to Ramsey, passing Grayson Perry’s striking House for Essex. No matter if you’re a seasoned rambler or simply looking for a refreshing dose of sea air, walking in Tendring is a brilliant way to explore this unique stretch of the Essex coast.

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    Clacton Heritage Trail

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    The Clacton Heritage Trail, sometimes referred to as the Clacton 150, was created using National Lottery Heritage Funding during 2021. It covers 5 miles of beautiful seafront and with 19 different locations to visit accompanied by signs that contain information of the historical ongoings within that area. Starting from Location 1 at the Sunspot and ending at Location 19; Borrow Read more…
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    Coastal Trail

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    Following on from the Clacton Heritage Trail, this beautiful scenic walk contains a variety of locations that span from the Gunfleet Estuary in Holland Haven to the Naze Tower at Walton-on-the-Naze. There’s lots to see following the trail and plenty of fantastic places to relax en-route.   Read more…
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    Harwich ‘Deep Water’ Walking Trail

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    Created as part of the Royal Geographical Society’s ‘Discovering Britain’ series of walks, this self-guided audio walk ‘Deep Water’ uncovers how the see has been both a friend and foe to Harwich over the centuries. Audio commentary by Coraline Millar and Neil Darcy Jones. Visit the RGS Website. With a starting point of Harwich Town railway station, CO12 3NA (overpaid.slick.swatted) and a finishing Read more…
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    Harwich Maritime Trail

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    Owned by The Harwich Society, the Harwich Maritime Trail has 21 locations that takes an individual from the Low Lighthouse and through Harwich Town to the Radar Tower. Come across various historical delights such as the Treadwheel Crane, the Lifeboat Museum, the Electric Palace Cinema, Ha’penny Pier and Visitor Centre, the Harwich Redoubt Fort and much more whilst walking the Read more…
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    Tendring Witch Heritage Trail

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    Detail from a pamphlet reporting on the trials of several women in 1618, showing how the popular press depicted female witches (courtesy of the British Library C.27.b.35). Witchcraft Beliefs Step into the Shadows of History Explore the Tendring Witch Heritage Trail*, an immersive journey through the stories of those affected by the Essex witch trials of the 16th and 17th centuries. Read more…
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    Walton History Trail

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    A walk through the town and industrial areas of Walton-on-the-Naze with a focus on the history of the town. Medium Walk at a slow pace. Dogs and children are welcome. This is a medium length walk partly off road on paths that may be overgrown. Refreshments and toilets are available en route. Parts of the walk are on open sea Read more…
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    Walton Little Explorer trail

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    A walk around the town of Walton designed for children stopping at points of interest with things to see and do. Dogs and children are welcome. This walk is all on road. Refreshments and toilets are available en route. Bring paper and crayons to do rubbings of the signs en route. Read more…
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    Walton Wildlife Trail

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    A wildlife walk around the stunning Naze at Walton, as an introduction to the new Trails project, a group of walks in and around Walton. Fairly long walk at a fairly slow pace. Dogs are welcome, on a lead near nesting areas. Children welcome but consider walk length. This walk is mainly off road, and the terrain is grassy and Read more…
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    Walton WW2 Trail

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    An interesting walk exploring the history of the Naze during World War Two. Short walk at a slow pace. Dogs and children are welcome. This walk is off road, and the terrain is grassy and can be uneven. Refreshments and toilets are available at the start point. Read more…
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    Wrabness Local Nature Reserve

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    Wrabness Local Nature Reserve is located on the southern bank of the River Stour between Manningtree and Harwich, it is a mixture of unimproved grassland, wooded areas and marshland with extensive intertidal mudflats and saltmarsh. A network of paths and specially designed ramps makes for easy access for the disabled visitor. You can enjoy both Coppice woodland and watching waders Read more…
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