Coastal Walks In Norfolk, Your Complete Guide

Coastal walks in Norfolk offer some of England's most spectacular scenery, with over 80 miles of sandy beaches, cliff paths, wildlife-rich nature reserves, and Victorian towns and fishing villages.

Whether you're looking for a gentle 2 mile beach stroll or a longer 9 mile coastal walk, you'll find the perfect route here.

Holme Dunes

This guide features 13+ coastal walks across Norfolk, from the windswept beaches of North Norfolk to the seal colonies at Horsey. I have walked each of these walks and documented with detailed route information, parking details, and insider tips.

You’re guaranteed to experience the following:

the beautiful and stunning beaches
curious fossilised cliff tops,
board walks
vast reclaimed salt marshes
some amazing species of birds and wildlife
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Once you have walked on some of these stunning coastal walks, you'll then understand why the Norfolk coast is loved by so many.

Explore a part of the the UK that you don't know, but that we can help you get to know!

Note: Are you looking for the Norfolk Coast Path specifically? We have some dedicated Norfolk Coast Path information covering that 84-mile trail in detail.

16 Dog Walks Around The Norfolk Coast

Some of these Norfolk coastal walks are suitable for dogs too.

16 Coastal Dog Walks Around The Norfolk Coast

Here's your chance to purchase the very popular Dog Walks Around The Norfolk Coast book. It has 16 coastal dog walks where you'll hardly need a lead. I found many dog walks required a lot of road walking, so decided to put together a dog walking book where you could let you pet off the lead as much as possible. You can find much more detail about the book here.

Easy Walks

Holme Dunes - 3 - 5 miles
Cley Marshes - 3 miles
4 Short Coastal Walks - from 3.5 - 5.5 miles

Moderate Walks

Stiffkey to Wells - 6 miles
Cromer Lighthouse circular walk - 4.7 miles
Horsey Windpump Walk - 5 miles
Cromer to the Roman Camp - 6.2 miles
Salthouse Circular Walk - 5.5 miles
Hunstanton Circular Walk - 5 or 7 miles
Cromer and Felbrigg Circular Walk - 6.5 miles
Morston Circular Walk - 6 miles

Longer Walks

The Burnhams' circular walk - 5.4 to 8 miles
Sheringham Circular walk - 9 miles

Love Circular Walks?

Many of these coastal walks are circular routes returning to your start point. We've some more circular walks across Norfolk, including woodland trails, Broads walks, historic village routes, and farmland paths. For our complete collection of circular walks (including inland routes), visit our Circular Walks in Norfolk guide

Explore Norfolk By Foot

Exploring Norfolk by foot is by far the best way to get a feel for what the Norfolk coast is really all about. The vast expanse of open landscape provides the most incredible scenery, and the wildlife is second to none. Here on the Norfolk coast you have some of the best bird watching in the UK.

Easy Norfolk Walks

Holme-next-the-Sea

Approx 3-5 miles. You'll see sand dunes, beach, golf course, board walks, information boards, wildlife, NWT Nature Reserve, tea room. Great for children.

View Walk

Cley Marshes Circular Walk

Just under 3 miles. Copious amounts of bird life, board walks, reeds and meadows, hides, Cley beach, NWT Visitor Centre World War II relics; Pill box and gun turret.

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4 short coastal walks

All along parts of the Norfolk Coast Path, these are walks you may already know about but don't think about doing. You could even use the coasthopper bus

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Moderate Norfolk Walks

Stiffkey to Wells return

6 miles return. Easy walking with many species of birds, mud flats, salt marshes, creeks, Wells town, flora and fauna

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Cromer Lighthouse Circular Walk

4.7 miles. Easy, apart from 236 steps from beach to cliff top. Stunning views from the cliff tops and are well worth the effort.

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Horsey Windpump Circular Walk

5 miles. Easy, could be muddy. Dykes, the mere, the beach and seals in winter, dunes, reed beds, meadows, farmland, WWII pill box on dunes.

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Cromer to the Roman Camp

6.25 miles. Moderate. A climb up to the top of the Roman Camp and Incleborough Hill. Views to the sea, woodland and heath

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Salthouse Circular Walk

5.5 miles. Moderate – incline up to the top of the heathland and shingle along Cley beach. Stunning views, remains of a WWII Radar Station, heathland and gorse, Cley Nature reserve, wildlife,

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Hunstanton Circular Walk

5 or 7 miles. Easy, flat but can be muddy in the winter months. Coastal scenery, beach huts, dunes, nature reserves, walking alongside the River Hun and adjacent to Hunstanton Golf Course

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Cromer to Felbrigg Circular Walk

6.5 miles. Moderate with some inclines, but on the whole, it is fairly flat. You'll see the National Trust property of Felbrigg Hall, woodland and coastal views.

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Morston Circular Walk

6 miles. Easy with a slight incline up to Cockthorpe. Beautiful views over the coast with a small stretch of the Norfolk Coast Path, a wonderful valley floor and alongside country fields.

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Longer Norfolk Walks

Burnham's Circular Walk

From 5.4 miles to 8.1 miles depending on whether you take short cuts! This is a varied walk, past Nelson's birth place and church, onto the Georgian village of Burnham Market and back down to the coast at Burnham Overy Staithe.

View Walk

Sheringham Circular Walk

With this lovely 9-mile Sheringham circular walk you'll be treated to stunning coastal views, ancient woodland paths, historic ruins, and breath-taking vistas from Beeston Bump and Sheringham Park's temple.

View Walk

Planning Your Norfolk Coastal Walk

Best Times to Visit

Spring (March-May)

Wildflowers bloom across dunes and marshes
Migrating birds arrive (avocets, terns, waders)
Moderate temperatures, fewer crowds

Summer (June-August)

Warmest weather, longest daylight hours
Peak tourist season—expect busy car parks
Best for beach walks and swimming opportunities
Book accommodation well in advance

Autumn (September-November)

Spectacular bird migration period
Dramatic skies and coastal light
Quieter paths, easier parking
Grey seal pupping season begins (October onwards)

Winter (December-February)

Wildest coastal weather, dramatic seas
Peak seal pupping season (December-January)
Shortest daylight - plan accordingly
Fewer visitors, atmospheric walks

Tide Safety

Many Norfolk coastal walks include beach sections affected by tides. Always:

Check tide times before setting out (available at www.tidetimes.org.uk)
Plan to walk 2-3 hours either side of low tide for beach routes
Never attempt to "race the tide" around headlands (particularly at Brancaster and Wells beaches)
Be aware that spring tides rise higher and faster - this is really important for parking at Burnham Overy Staithe and Blakeney! Your car may well get submerged if you haven't checked the Spring tide times.

Dog Walking on Coastal Paths

If you're holidaying with you dog then you'll definitely want to know about some fabulous dog walks on the coast where your dog will hardly need to be on a lead.

This "Dog Walks Around The Norfolk Coast" book features 16 coastal dog walks that are easy to follow and all near this beautiful coastline.

Dogs are welcome on most Norfolk coastal walks with a few restrictions:

On leads: All nature reserves year-round

Beach restrictions: Some beaches ban dogs May - September

Bird nesting season: Extra restrictions March - August in sensitive areas

Always: Clean up after your dog, especially on beaches

Norfolk Walking Books

The 16 Coastal Dog Walks book is very dog friendly, as I wanted to discover walks that didn't require much road walking or time on leads. They are all around the Norfolk Coast.
The Norfolk Heritage Walks book contains 18 walks with an interest. The walks are dotted all around Norfolk depending on where there is something fascinating to visit, be it a priory ruin or castle ruin, a stately home, windpumps or lighthouses and more.

Frequently Asked Questions on Coastal Walk

Are Norfolk coastal walks suitable for children?

Yes! We have several family-friendly options including the . See our Easy Walks section for complete options.

Can I walk the entire Norfolk coastline?

The Norfolk Coast Path is an 84-mile long-distance trail covering the entire north Norfolk coast from Hunstanton to Hopton-on-Sea. We have dedicated Norfolk Coast Path information if you're planning to walk the full route.

What's the difference between the coastal walks on this page and the Norfolk Coast Path?

The Norfolk Coast Path is a specific 84-mile long-distance trail with official waymarking. This page features a variety of coastal walks - both on and off the Coast Path including circular routes, shorter sections, and alternative coastal paths. Think of the Coast Path as one specific trail usually done as a walking holiday, and these coastal walks as a wider selection of options.

When is the best time to see seals on Norfolk coastal walks?

Grey seals can be seen at Horsey during pupping season (November - February) and the moulting season (February - April). Our Horsey seal walk provide detailed viewing information.

Are there any circular coastal walks in Norfolk?

Yes, there are lots! Many of the coastal walks are circular routes returning to your start point. Visit our dedicated Circular Walks in Norfolk page for lots of circular routes across the county.

WONDERING WHAT TO DO IN NORFOLK?

Download your free copy of the "Quick Guide To Norfolk Beaches" and join our newsletter to keep up to date with 4 different tips every month for enjoying what Norfolk has to offer.

Other Walking Pages You Might Be Interested In

Great Massingham Circular Walk
Great Massingham Circular walk is a countryside walk with a few surprises along the way; pretty church, peaceful Peddars Way trail and Silka Deer
Norfolk Walking Holidays on The Peddars Way And Norfolk Coast Path
Norfolk Walking Holidays. Hassle-free self-guided walking holidays along the Norfolk Coast Path and/or Peddars Way and other Norfolk trails to explore
Horsey Windpump Coastal Circular Walk
Horsey Windpump circular coastal walk in the Broads is a varied flat easy walk with windpump, reed beds, dunes, beach, seals in winter, WWII pill box, mere.
Salthouse Circular Walk
This Salthouse circular walk is 5.5 miles on the stunning North Norfolk coastline. Walking up and away from the coast with expansive views towards the sea and finishing on the beach alongside Cley Marshes Nature reserve

Enjoyed your coastal walk?

Have you enjoyed a Norfolk coastal walk and which one did you do? We'd love you to share it with us!

Enter Your Title Here, usually the name of the walk

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What Other Visitors Have Said

Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...

The Pingo Trail
I just wanted to say that we really enjoyed the Pingo Trail. I know this isn't a coastal walk, but it is under your Inland Walks! You mention on the …