Length:
20.9 km (13.0 mi) [shorter walk possible, see below]
Ascent/Descent:
126/120m
Net
Walking Time: ca. 4 ½ hours
Toughness:
2 out of 10
Take
the 09.22 Southend Victoria train from Liverpool Street (09.29 Stratford,
09.38 Romford etc.), change at Wickford onto the Southminster
service (10.00/10.06), arrives North Fambridge 10.20.
Return
trains
from Burnham are hourly on xx.10 (73 mins journey time). Buy a
Burnham-on-Crouch return.
Serenity,
tranquillity, solitude: you’ll find lots of it on this walk on the Dengie Peninsula in Essex, which largely
follows the tidal River
Crouch eastwards towards the North Sea, on a wide grassy path atop the
sea wall, and with the prevailing wind in the back. Far away from any conurbations,
you’ll experience wide open and scenic countryside, constantly changing river
views, salt marshes, reed ponds, mudflats, creeks, rich bird life, sailing
boats and marinas, to then end along the promenade in charming Burnham-on-Crouch, with its
plethora of tea options. Flat throughout (apart from the diversion inland for
lunch at the good value pub The Three Horseshoes in Althorne), and with
exceptionally easy route finding.
Shortcuts:
·
It is possible to shorten the walk by taking the train back from Althorne, just
before/after lunch.
·
You can also cut short the approach to the river from Fambridge station in the
morning by using a more direct route (cuts 1.4 km/0.9 mi) or cut the Burnham
ending short by using a more direct route to the station (cuts 2.1 km/1.3 mi).
·
Taking both shortcuts therefore reduces the length of the walk to 17.4 km (10.9
mi).
·
Finally, if you bring your own lunch (no shops along the route) for a picnic by
the river, you can cut out the walk inland to the lunch pub, reducing the walk
by 2.9 km/1.8 mi.
Lunch: The Three
Horseshoes in Althorne (11.5 km/7.2 mi).
Tea: you are spoilt for
choice for cafes, restaurants and pubs in Burnham. For details consult the Walk Directions pdf.
For
walk directions, map, height profile, some photos, a
video and gpx/kml files click here.
T=swc.162
2 comments:
A select group set off on a simple but very enjoyable route. As long as the river was on the right not too much could go wrong. Nothing wrong with the weather. A gentle wind, no rain, patchy cloud, sunny intervalsin the afternoon.
Lunchtime did go slightly wrong. Having not booked at the Three Horse Shoes, we were told there wasn't room for 3 walkers.
However, The Victoria Inn in Burnham provided a warm welcome. The Sunday roast was not eaten (or ordered) but looked good. Back to London on 16.10.
N=3 w=dry-with-patchy-clouds-and-sunny-intervals
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