Hiking Trails Near Colchester: Explore Nature at Your Fingertips
Looking for the best walking trails in Colchester? Whether you're getting ready to hike, cycle, trail run, or explore other outdoor pursuits, AllTrails has 41 picturesque trails in the Colchester area. Discover hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from fellow outdoor enthusiasts.
Explore one of 22 easy walking routes in Colchester, with child-friendly routes for your next family outing. Venture outdoors and learn more about the area's historic sites or take a break from the hustle and bustle along the many tree-lined paths surrounding Colchester. Perfect for little feet, paws, walkers, and outdoor enthusiasts of any skill level.
This beautiful circular trail starts in the quaint hamlet of Chappel, six miles west north-west of Colchester in Essex. It takes in a combination of arable land, river valley grazing meadows, and the largest wood in the area. Highlights are extensive views across the Colne Valley, lovely mixed woodland, two large old river mills, extensive riverside meadows and marshland, and a most impressive railway viaduct. The route is generally easy going, with just one steady climb up a slope.
This is a pleasant circular trail in Essex with great views over the estuary and chances for birdwatching. It starts at Wivenhoe, four miles to the south-east of Colchester. The outbound leg runs through varied countryside with beautiful scenery and just one or two short stretches that are a bit 'industrial'. The return leg runs along the water's edge of Alresford Creek and the Colne estuary, providing lovely scenery and excellent birdwatching opportunities.
This is a beautiful countryside trail taking in lovely views over the fields and river as you make your way from Flatford Bridge, beside the River Stour to the picturesque village of Dedham, and back to the start over the farmlands. Keep an eye out for wildlife and enjoy some refreshments in the village, but take care on the rougher sections, especially in wetter conditions, along the roads, and around livestock that may be along the paths. Appropriate footwear is advised.
This lollipop-shape walk offers varied and attractive country-estuary, a creek, pasture and arable farmland, woodland, a sand quarry (both working and abandoned), and extensive views, 6 miles south-east of Colchester in Essex. There are some great birding opportunities in the estuary. This walk shares some of the route of another walk, 'Brightlingsea: Coast, Creeks and Country', but is shorter and has some attractive parts that the longer walk does not.
This is an easy circular walk through some of the more attractive scenery in Essex. It starts at West Bergholt Hall and old church, leading through two nature reserves and riverside meadows. Old St Mary's Church is a grade 2 listed building, some sections of which are Anglo-Saxon dating back to the year 1000. Hillhouse Wood is particularly worth visiting in April and May, as it has superb displays of Bluebells and other woodland flowers, as well as singing Nightingales.
Located three miles to the north of Colchester in the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this route includes magnificent views, a delightful old church and hamlet, a lovely riverside mill house and weir, woodland, rolling grassland, and the site of a Tudor hunting lodge. The trail starts from the lay-by along the B1508 and follows the track that runs south up the hill, towards a copse on the top of the hill, heading through the farm fields. Descend into a short but steep valley...
Please note: this trail includes long stretches of narrow, busy, and fast-flowing roads with no pavements. Appropriate on-road experience, caution, and confidence are required. Please take care. This trail is therefore not best suited to dogs or children.
This trail is a special one for birdwatchers, going all the way around Abberton Reservoir. Abberton has long been considered to be the single best reservoir for birdwatching in the country, due to its location near the East coast fly-way....
This is a circular walk around Mersea Island along a stunning coastal path. This route starts at Cudmore Grove car park (paid parking) and goes anticlockwise. You must avoid high tide when driving across the causeway as this can flood. There are great views across Colne, as well as good bird watching. You can sometimes even spot seals. The second half goes past beach areas with many cafes in the summer. An area of coastal erosion may require a detour at the end.
The walk through Highwoods Country Park offers some peace and quiet right from the centre of Colchester. There are a variety of trail options to choose from within the network of trails in the park with varying degrees of elevation gain. The paths can be muddy in the winter or after rains, so bring appropriate footwear. The grounds of the park are well maintained with wide paths, streams, and pretty woods.
A walk with beautiful views, clear trail directions, and a gorgeous village to walk through. There is a pub called the Lion Brasserie at the starting point that is worth a visit. The route does get muddy during rainy periods, so make sure to bring suitable footwear. For the most part, this trail does not have much elevation gain, making it a fairly easy, moderate graded walk.
Section near to the end we couldn't find the public footpath, but we went back on ourselves and found a way onto the public footpath we were meant to be on. Muddy in the woods but expected at this time of year. Lovely walk muddy in place but with the correct footwear, it was easy. Nice little pub at the end to eat the calories we just burnt off. Great views beautiful landscapes, very muddy and river overflowed in one bit, so wear wellies if you have some. Really lovely walk. Had the sea, countryside, and woodland. Would recommend. Lovely scenery. Plenty of areas to let dogs off, poo bin en route.
There are plenty of things to do on Colchester's hiking trails. On AllTrails.com, you'll find 41 walking trails, 39 hiking trails, 37 running trails, and more.
Colchester: With an ascent of 311 m, Abberton Reservoir Circuit has the most elevation gain of all the trails in the area. The next highest ascent trail is Hilly Fields Local Nature Reserve and High Woods Country Park Circular with 299 m of elevation gain.
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