The 10 Best Circular Walks in North Norfolk
- Jul 7
- 8 min read
Published by Willow Cottages Norfolk
North Norfolk is one of the finest walking destinations in England. The coastline alone — salt marshes, tidal creeks, sand dunes, ancient pinewoods and wide shingle beaches — offers an almost inexhaustible variety of landscapes, and the hinterland of flint villages, rolling farmland and medieval churches provides a quieter, deeply rewarding counterpoint to the drama of the coast.
The ten walks below range from gentle family strolls to longer, more challenging half-day routes. All are circular, so you return to where you started. All are within easy reach of our cottages in Wighton, Binham and Walsingham. And all of them, at some point, will make you stop walking and simply look.
We've included distance, difficulty and a rough time guide for each. Always wear appropriate footwear — North Norfolk's paths can be muddy and wet underfoot even in summer — and check the tide times before venturing onto any tidal areas.
1. Holkham Beach and the Pinewoods Loop
Distance: 4 miles | Difficulty: Easy | Time: 1.5–2 hours
This is the walk we recommend to every guest staying at Willow Cottage — a circuit that takes in two of the finest landscapes in Norfolk within a single, unhurried morning. Park at the end of Lady Anne's Drive and follow the boardwalk through the ancient pinewoods until they open onto Holkham Bay. Turn west and walk along the vast, open beach at low tide, with the dunes on your right and the sea retreating far into the distance. Loop back inland through the pines, following the paths that wind between the trees and out to the nature reserve viewpoints.
The combination of beach, pine woodland and salt marsh in such a short distance makes this one of the most varied easy walks on the entire coast. The RIBA award-winning Lookout Café at the top of Lady Anne's Drive is the perfect endpoint.
Don't miss: The walk at low tide, when the beach opens into a seemingly endless expanse of sand. Check tide times at norfolk-tides.com before you go.
Dog friendly: Yes, with seasonal on-lead areas April to August.
2. Blakeney, Cley and the River Glaven
Distance: 7.5 miles | Difficulty: Moderate | Time: 3–3.5 hours
One of the great circular walks of the North Norfolk coast, this route links three of the area's most distinctive villages along sea defence walls, river paths and quiet country lanes. Start from Blakeney Quay — with its fishing boats and views across the salt marshes to Blakeney Point — and follow the Norfolk Coast Path east along the raised dyke to Cley-next-the-Sea, with its iconic windmill dominating the skyline.
From Cley, the route turns inland and south to the pretty village of Wiveton, crossing the 15th-century stone bridge over the River Glaven before heading north through the village of Glandford — home to the charming Shell Museum — and back to Blakeney via quiet lanes. The River Glaven, which runs alongside the route for much of the return, was once a navigable waterway serving the medieval ports of Wiveton and Cley.
Don't miss: Stopping at Picnic Fayre in Cley for supplies, and the view back over the marshes from the coast path.
Dog friendly: Yes, on leads along road sections.
3. Morston and Cockthorpe Circular
Distance: 5.5 miles | Difficulty: Easy–Moderate | Time: 2–2.5 hours
This beautifully varied walk starts from Morston Quay — the departure point for seal trips to Blakeney Point — and heads inland along the Norfolk Coast Path through woodland beside a bubbling stream to the little-visited ridge village of Cockthorpe. From Cockthorpe there are stunning panoramic views in all directions: to the north, Blakeney Point and the sea; to the south, rolling farmland stretching away towards Binham.
The return route passes through the old Langham Airfield — now largely grassed over, with only concrete tracks remaining as evidence of its wartime role as a base for Beaufighters, Hurricanes and Mosquitoes. From the ridge above Morston you can clearly see the shingle spit of Blakeney Point reaching out into the sea below. The National Trust café at Morston Quay provides an excellent endpoint.
Don't miss: The views from Cockthorpe ridge — on a clear day you can see the full sweep of the coast from Sheringham to Blakeney Point.
Dog friendly: Yes.
4. Brancaster Staithe and Barrow Common
Distance: 4.5 miles | Difficulty: Easy–Moderate | Time: 1.5–2 hours
This National Trail circular walk explores one of the most characterful corners of the North Norfolk coast — the harbour village of Brancaster Staithe, the wild grassland of Barrow Common, and the site of Branodunum, a Roman fort built in the 3rd century AD to guard this stretch of the Saxon Shore. The route runs mainly on soft lanes and coastal paths, with inland sections offering surprisingly wide views over the coast from what passes for dramatic heights in Norfolk — up to 50 metres above sea level.
The White Horse pub at Brancaster Staithe, with its terrace overlooking the salt marshes, makes one of the finest post-walk stops in all of North Norfolk.
Don't miss: The remains of Branodunum Roman Fort and the view from Barrow Common over the salt marshes and Brancaster Beach.
Dog friendly: Yes.
5. Salthouse Heath and the Coast
Distance: 5 miles | Difficulty: Moderate | Time: 2–2.5 hours
This underrated circular walk from the village of Salthouse takes you up onto Salthouse Heath — one of the few areas of elevated ground on the North Norfolk coast — before following the ridge of the Norfolk Coast Path with sweeping views from Sheringham in the east all the way to Blakeney Point in the west. On a clear day this is one of the finest viewpoints on the entire coast.
The route then drops back down to the coast, passing through the internationally important NWT Cley Marshes — home to avocets, bitterns, marsh harriers and, in winter, vast flocks of waders and wildfowl — before returning to Salthouse along the shingle bank with the sea crashing to one side and the reed beds stretching away to the other.
Don't miss: The views from the heath and the birdwatching at Cley Marshes. Bring binoculars.
Dog friendly: Limited — dogs must be kept on leads around Cley Marshes reserve.
6. Wells to Stiffkey and Back
Distance: 8 miles | Difficulty: Moderate | Time: 3.5–4 hours
A longer coastal walk that rewards the effort with two hours of the finest salt marsh scenery on the Norfolk coast. Start from Wells Quay and pick up the Norfolk Coast Path heading east, following the raised bank above the marshes past Warham and on to the beautiful, remote village of Stiffkey — pronounced "Stewkey" by locals. The village pub, the Red Lion, makes an ideal halfway stop.
The return follows quiet field paths and lanes back through Warham, passing Warham Camp — one of the best preserved Iron Age hill forts in Norfolk, circular in shape and still clearly defined after more than 2,000 years. Allow plenty of time for this one, and pack a good lunch.
Don't miss: Warham Camp and the salt marshes between Wells and Stiffkey at high tide, when the channels fill with water and the landscape becomes almost otherworldly.
Dog friendly: Yes, on leads near livestock.
7. Sheringham Park and Weybourne Loop
Distance: 7 miles | Difficulty: Moderate–Challenging | Time: 3–3.5 hours
This is one of the most varied walks in North Norfolk, combining the spectacular clifftop path between Sheringham and Weybourne with the rolling parkland and ancient woodland of Sheringham Park, and the quiet marsh and grassland of Beeston Common. The undulating cliffs between Sheringham and Weybourne are unusual for this coast — dramatic, heather-covered and entirely unlike the flat marshland to the west.
From Weybourne, the route climbs inland through the parkland of Sheringham Park — a National Trust estate with magnificent rhododendrons in late spring and a treetop gazebo with views over the sea. You may even spot a North Norfolk Railway steam train puffing along the Poppy Line below. The descent back to Sheringham through ancient woodland is a lovely end to a varied and satisfying walk.
Don't miss: The view from the gazebo at Sheringham Park, and the clifftop stretch in either direction from Weybourne.
Dog friendly: Yes, on leads in the park.
8. Burnham Overy Staithe Circular
Distance: 6 miles | Difficulty: Easy–Moderate | Time: 2.5 hours
A wonderful walk from the picturesque harbour village of Burnham Overy Staithe, taking in the sand dunes and creeks of Burnham Norton, the open skies of the coastal marsh, and the quiet country lanes of the Burnham villages. The route follows the Norfolk Coast Path west from Burnham Overy Staithe, crossing the creeks and salt marshes before reaching the dunes above Holkham Bay — with Holkham Beach stretching west in the distance.
The return passes through Burnham Norton, with its round-towered medieval church and classic North Norfolk flint-and-brick cottages, before rejoining the coast path back to the harbour. The Hero pub at Burnham Overy Staithe is a warm and welcoming finish.
Don't miss: The view west from the dunes towards Holkham at golden hour.
Dog friendly: Yes.
9. Walsingham, the Abbey Ruins and the River Stiffkey Valley
Distance: 5 miles | Difficulty: Easy–Moderate | Time: 2–2.5 hours
A walk with a quite different character from the coastal routes — this gentle circular explores the beautiful countryside around Little Walsingham, England's most important medieval pilgrimage site. The route passes through the abbey grounds, with their romantic ruins reflected in the mill pond, before following the River Stiffkey south through quiet water meadows and then looping back through the rolling farmland and parkland above the valley.
The walk showcases the North Norfolk countryside at its most peaceful and unhurried, and the village of Walsingham itself — with its ancient buildings, priory ruins, pilgrimage churches and excellent tearooms — rewards a longer stop before or after. If you're staying at Robin Hood Cottage, you can start this walk from your doorstep; Walsingham Station on the Wells & Walsingham Light Railway is just a minute's walk away.
Don't miss: The abbey ruins and millpond at Walsingham, and the river meadows in the Stiffkey Valley.
Dog friendly: Yes.
10. Cromer and Felbrigg Hall Loop
Distance: 6.5 miles | Difficulty: Moderate–Challenging | Time: 3 hours
The most challenging walk on this list, and one of the most rewarding. From Cromer — with its Victorian pier, lobster fishing boats and famous crab stalls — the route climbs west along the cliff path to Weybourne, before turning inland through the parkland of Felbrigg Hall, one of the finest 17th-century country houses in England. The parkland is spectacular in autumn when the ancient beech trees turn copper and gold, and the hall and walled garden are worth a visit in their own right.
The return to Cromer follows quiet paths through woodland and farmland, with more views over the sea as you descend. Treat yourself to Cromer crab — the best in England — from one of the stalls near the pier at the end.
Don't miss: Felbrigg Hall (National Trust) and the clifftop section west of Cromer. The views from the cliffs are the most dramatic on the Norfolk coast.
Dog friendly: Yes, on leads in the parkland.
Planning Your Walks
Maps: The OS Explorer maps OL23 (Norfolk Coast West) and OL24 (Norfolk Coast East) cover all the walks above. Most routes are also available on AllTrails, Komoot and the National Trail website.
The Coasthopper bus: A brilliant resource for walkers — the Coasthopper service runs along the A149 from Hunstanton to Cromer, stopping at most coastal villages. It allows you to walk a section of the coast one way and take the bus back, opening up many more route options.
Footwear: Even in summer, North Norfolk paths can be wet and muddy. Waterproof boots or wellies are recommended for all the walks above. For the shingle sections near Cley and Weybourne, ankle support is particularly useful.
Wildlife: Many of these routes pass through protected nature reserves. Please keep dogs under close control near nesting birds (spring and summer) and seal colonies (winter), and stick to footpaths in dune and marsh areas.
Where to Stay for a Walking Holiday in North Norfolk
Our four cottages in Wighton, Binham and Walsingham put you right at the heart of the best walking country in Norfolk, with Holkham, Wells, Blakeney, the Burnhams and Walsingham all within easy reach.
Willow Cottages Norfolk — four exceptional luxury retreats in the heart of North Norfolk, the perfect base for exploring this remarkable landscape on foot.
