South Woodham Ferrers to North Fambridge walk

25.5 km (15.9 mi), of which 4.4 km (2.7 mi) on tarmac or pavements. Cumulative ascent/descent: 305m.

This varied and fairly hilly walk (for a flat County) offers splendid views of the Crouch Valley and some undulating landscape. After winding its way out of South Woodham Ferrers through some fields, it leads across plenty of rolling hills and past a RHS Garden, then passes through an overgrown cemetery and along more fields to lunch. The afternoon route features an extended stretch between trees on a long disused railway line and finishes very serenely after tea, along the tidal River Crouch and through the grassy salt marshes of Blue House Farm Nature Reserve.

• take an Alternative Ending back to South Woodham Ferrers (19.2 km/11.9 mi, rated 4/10),
• cut the North Fambridge ending short by using a more direct route to the station (22.6 km/14.1 mi, rated 5/10)
• or extend the walk to add more riverside walking (28.5 km/17.8 mi, rated 7/10).