Walking and Cycling Guide
Get ready to explore the great outdoors in Suffolk, all year round!
Whether you’re into leisurely strolls, family bike rides, guided walks or epic cycling adventures, there are a range of idyllic beauty spots and routes to enjoy on the Suffolk coast.With our stunning coastline, picturesque villages, and lush countryside, it’s time to get outdoors on your next Suffolk holiday with Durrants Holiday Cottages.
Every May, Suffolk proudly hosts its annual Walking Festival, one of the country’s largest walking events. For over two weeks, participants can explore a variety of scenic trails across the county with a volunteer guide. Experience Suffolk in a new way.
Walking Guides
Stretching 60 miles from Felixstowe to the seaside town of Lowestoft (the UK’s most easterly point), the Suffolk Coast Path gives ramblers the opportunity to discover many of the region’s top attractions, including Snape Maltings, RSPB Minsmere, Walberswick and Dunwich.
The Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape offers a range of appealing walking trails, from leisurely strolls to challenging hikes. Discovering this picturesque area at your leisure enables you to observe the abundant wildlife present and relish spending time outdoors in a stunning environment.
There are a number of explorer guides for routes across the region, which you’ll find below. These can be downloaded or viewed online, and we really hope you’ll give a few a try during your stay in Suffolk!
Aldeburgh and Thorpeness Outstanding Landscapes Walk Guide
Sailors’ Path Walk Explorer Guide
Snape Walk Explorer Guide
Southwold Explorer Guide
Walberswick Outstanding Landscapes Walk Guide
Woodbridge Explorer Guide
Guided Walks
An experienced guide can enhance the joy of exploring Suffolk’s picturesque landscapes, leading you through breathtaking beauty spots, serene nature reserves, and lush forests, allowing you to discover the county’s wonders first-hand. Visit these recommended destinations to find the perfect guide for your Suffolk adventure:
RSPB Minsmere Reserve
Minsmere Reserve is home to some of the UK’s rarest wildlife, including bird-watching favourites like avocets, bearded tits and bitterns. Explore the peaceful reedbeds and beautiful coastal lagoons – you might even spot an otter on your travels!
Telephone: 01728 648281
Email: minsmere@rspb.org.uk
Address: RSPB Minsmere Reserve, Minsmere, Westleton, Saxmundham IP17 3BY
Suffolk Wildlife Trust Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve
The Broads National Park covers 1,000 acres of iconic floodplain marsh and lowland fen, iconic to Suffolk. Its peat pools and fen meadows are home to wading birds and 28 breathtaking species of dragonfly – see how many you can spot.
Telephone: 01502 359480
Email: carlton.centre@suffolkwildlifetrust.org
Address: Burnt Hill Lane, Lowestoft NR33 8HU
National Trust Dunwich Heath and Beach
Dunwich Heath is idyllic yet offers a touch of the wild, its landscape offering everything from pink heather and coconut-scented gorse to the weathered rough beauty of the Suffolk coastline. Explore this rich habitat and you might come across birds and creatures such as the warbler, nightjar, woodlark and even adder.
Telephone: 01728 648501
Email: dunwichheath@nationaltrust.org.uk
Address: Coastguard Cottages, Minsmere Road, Dunwich IP17 3DJ
National Trust Orford Ness National Nature Reserve
Only reachable by boat, this nature reserve is well worth the ferry ride. There is no bridge or on-foot route to the spit, and tickets for the National Trust ferry much be booked in advance. This remote and peaceful reserve offers a breathtaking landscape, undisturbed and home to countless creatures.
Please note: no bikes or dogs (except service dogs) are permitted in the reserve.
Telephone: 01394 450900
Email: orfordness@nationaltrust.org.uk
Address: Quay Street, Orford IP12 2NU
Shops for Walking Essentials
Telephone: 01502 415356
Email: support@trespass.co.uk
Website: www.trespass.com/stores/southwold/
Address: 4 Queen Street, Southwold IP18 6EQ
Telephone: 01502 722866
Website: www.support.mountainwarehouse.com/hc/en-gb/requests/new/
Address: 84 High Street, Southwold IP18 6DT
Telephone: 01502 440957
Email: enquiries@saltrock.com
Website: www.saltrock.com/pages/saltrock-southwold
Address: 55 High Street, Southwold IP18 6DJ
Telephone: 01394 610840
Email: post@rohan.co.uk
Website: www.rohan.co.uk/our-shops/woodbridge/
Address: 43 Thoroughfare, Woodbridge IP12 1AH
Cycling Guides
Wolf Way Cycle Route
Newly launched in 2024, the Wolf Way cycle route follows numerous bridleways, byways, gravel tracks, cycling paths, and peaceful back roads across Suffolk, passing through some of the county’s most desirable seaside towns and undiscovered villages. At 248 miles/400km in length and beginning in Bury St Edmunds, this circular route can be tackled over a few days or spread across multiple visits to the coast. There are also seasonal variations to the main route to enhance the experience, so it’s worth returning to at different points in the year.
Our holiday cottages are perfectly situated for those looking to try Wolf Way.
The Suffolk Coast Cycle Route
The Suffolk Coast Cycle Route features a clearly designated pathway that spans approximately 88 miles, extending from Felixstowe to Lowestoft. This route presents an extensive exploration of the Suffolk coastline. A predominantly flat route, this is an ideal setting for novice riders, while the extended distance adds a level of challenge to the course.
The National Cycle Network Route 1
This exciting, structured route guides cyclists across Suffolk, connecting to Norfolk in the north and Essex in the south. Along this varied path, riders experience a range of landscapes. The majority of the route remains accessible, offering an extensive exploration of Suffolk’s natural splendour.
Cycling Shops and Repairs
Telephone: 07946 338097
Email: hello@southwoldcyclehire.co.uk
Website: www.southwoldcyclehire.co.uk
Address: The Barn, Old Hall Farm, Halesworth Road, Southwold IP18 6SG
Telephone: 01502 741155
Email: www.cyclerecycleuk.com/contact
Website: www.cyclerecycleuk.com
Address: 78 High Street, Kessingland NR33 7QF
Telephone: 01502 714709
Email: info@pedalz.co.uk
Website: www.pedalz.co.uk
Address: Common Lane North, Beccles NR34 9BL
Telephone: 01502 515641
Email: mandarin4bikes@aol.com
Website: www.mandarincycles.co.uk
Address: 65 London Road South, Lowestoft NR33 0AS
Telephone: 07484 805507
Email: saxvelo@gmail.com
Website: www.saxvelo.co.uk
Address: 6 Brook Farm Road, Saxmundham IP17 1XT
Cycling Guides
TPR Events Southwold Roubaix
When: April
The Southwold Roubaix, organised by a group of passionate cyclists, offers a variety of cycling routes ranging from 25 to 100 miles. These routes wind through the beautiful seaside town of Southwold and beyond to Ipswich.
Beccles Cycle for Life
When: May
An annual charity bike ride up to 50 miles through the market town of Beccles and the surrounding area, suitable for beginners and experienced riders.
The Dunwich Dynamo Route
When: July
A 112-mile overnight bike ride from London to the historic village of Dunwich on the Suffolk Coast, passing through the county of Essex.
The Dunwich Dynamo Route
When: November
Explore the rugged beauty and hidden wonders of Suffolk’s enchanting coastline with this challenging cycle route. Your journey will take you past many RSPB nature reserves, woodlands and charming Suffolk villages.
