Walberswick and Southwold by the River Blyth

From the harbour car park at Walberswick the walk follows the river path north-west along the south bank of the Blyth to the footbridge by Blackshore Mill and crosses to the Southwold side. It goes east along the river path on the north bank, over a series of small wooden footbridges, to the Ferry Path and Southwold Harbour, and turns up into the town past Gun Hill and Southwold Lighthouse to the pier. The way back leaves the town by York Road, recrosses the footbridge and returns along the south bank to Walberswick. The walk keeps to the bridge and does not use the ferry across the harbour mouth.

It is 9.4 km round with 16 m of ascent; allow about 2½ hours. The grade is Easy: the ground is flat, on marsh paths, lanes and town streets.

The Blyth is tidal and the paths by the river and the harbour are at the level of the marsh, so they are muddy after rain. The streets of Southwold and the harbour road carry traffic.

Walberswick harbour car park is marked in OpenStreetMap as charged; the amount is not stated. There is no station near: the nearest is Darsham, about 11 km away.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.