Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path
Lose yourself in a magical land of history, heathland, sand dunes, salt marshes and nature reserves.
Welcome to the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path’s home page where you’ll find an introduction to the trail. You can access the trail’s main pages using the links above. Here you’ll find links to the Information & Map page, Trail Holidays page and the Add your information page.
If you’re thinking about planning a visit to the trail, please view the Interactive Map on the Trail Information & Map page. The map allows you to view the line of the trail alongside accommodation, things to do, services such as food and drink, transport, water points and more.
You can also find additional Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path pages by going to ‘The Trails’ dropdown menu at the top of the page, clicking on the trail name and browsing the pages in the Further Information column. Here you can access pages such as the trail’s Route Description page, Leaflets page, Circular and Linear Walks page and Events.
Trail Information
Find useful facts and learn more about Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path below. Select the blue tabs below for more details.
- About the Trail
- Exploring the Trail
- Where does the Norfolk Coast Path start and finish?
- What is special about the Trail?
- Holiday Inspiration
About the Trail
The National Trail combines two long distance walking trails; Peddars Way and the Norfolk Coast Path.
Peddars Way starts in Suffolk at Knettishall Heath Country Park (or Thetford Station for cyclists) and follows the route of a Roman road for 46 miles (74km) to Holme-next-the-Sea on the north Norfolk coast, where it meets the Norfolk Coast Path.
The Norfolk Coast Path provides 112 miles (180 km) of walking along the entire coastline of Norfolk, from its border with Lincolnshire at Sutton Bridge down to its border with Suffolk, just beyond Hopton-on-Sea, through fantastic scenery and landscape. The majority of the Trail runs through Norfolk Coast National Landscape.
Experience seaside towns and villages, tidal marshes teeming with wildlife, wide sandy beaches, pine woodlands and huge skies.
A walk along Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path National Trail is the perfect way to lose yourself in this magical land of sand dunes and salt marsh, sea air and warm welcomes.
Exploring the Trail
The Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path is one of England’s most gentle National Trails. The terrain is varied but it is generally flat or with only gentle gradients.
You can walk the trail at any time of year, but during the summer the weather is usually better and the hedgerows are in full blossom. Spring and autumn are the main bird migration periods – so you’ll spot stunning wildlife – and walking along the coast in winter can be a wonderful experience.
Highlights along the route include beautiful medieval ports, quaint fishing villages, medieval churches and gastro pubs serving fresh seafood.
Where does the Norfolk Coast Path start and finish?
In summary, the Norfolk Coast Path runs the entire 112 miles of Norfolk’s coastline – from the Lincolnshire border near Sutton Bridge to the Suffolk border just beyond Hopton‑on‑Sea.
The trails map here shows only the original section of the path, from Hunstanton to Cromer. In recent years, the route has been extended in both directions to reach Norfolk’s borders. These newer sections were officially created as stretches of the King Charles III England Coast Path, a national trail that will eventually run 2,700 miles around the entire English coast (see the King Charles map here for the newer sections).
Navigating is easy though, as the whole 112‑mile route along the Norfolk coastline is a single continuous path signposted as ‘Norfolk Coast Path’ from border to border to make it clear for walkers.
Similarly, on this website, ‘Norfolk Coast Path’ also refers to the full route.
What is special about the Trail?
The coastline of Norfolk is enormously varied, with long stretches of golden beach interspersed with mud flats and salt marsh, shingle and pebbles.
There are wonderful dunes and marram grass to traverse, cliffs to marvel at, and between King’s Lynn and Hunstanton, treacle-like mud where The Wash empties into the North Sea – a favourite of birds and birdwatchers alike.
The Norfolk Coast Path is a fairly modern walking route, created from a network of existing footpaths and newly-created ones. The coastal end of the Peddars Way (which starts at Knettishall Heath Country Park in Suffolk) meets the Norfolk Coast Path at Holme-next-the-Sea. Here, going west takes you to Norfolk’s border with Lincolnshire, while heading east leads you to its border with Suffolk. The Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path became joined as a Long Distance National Trail in 1986.
Holiday Inspiration
Visit our Walking Holidays Page for holiday inspiration for the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path.
Try the trail
View short walks on the trail's interactive map or browse the list by clicking the button below.
Discover the delights of Norfolk
Admire the golden cliffs of Hunstanton, admire marshes and beaches, and visit some of the area’s finest attractions...
