Distance 4 miles (6.4km)
Classification Easy
Duration 2 hours 30 minutes
Begins Blakeney Church bus stop
Ends Western end of Stiffkey
OS grid reference TG032436
Walk in a nutshell
This flat, linear route traverses virtually the whole border of the National Trust Blakeney national nature reserve, which celebrates its centenary this year.
Why it's special
The pristine salt marshes along Norfolk's northern coast are renowned for their unworldly beauty and abundant birdlife. This walk takes you past the Morston and the Stiffkey salt marshes, with views out to sea nearly all the way along.
Keep your eyes peeled for
Blakeney Quay, once the heart of a commercial port, bristles with sailing and fishing boats, canoes and kayaks. Beyond the quay you'll be able to spot migratory wildfowl grazing the marshes. Short-eared owls and hen harriers use the marshes as hunting grounds. In summer listen out for waders such as the noisy redshank, once known as the "watcher of the marshes", which breeds on the higher grassy areas. Diminutive reed buntings can also be seen perching on the seablite. You can break up your walk by taking a boat trip from Morston Quay to visit some of Blakeney Point's seal colonies.
Recover afterwards
The Red Lion in Stiffkey (stiffkey.com) is a smart, uncluttered country pub. We recommend the Stiffkey mussels in cider and celery sauce.
If it's tipping down
Head to the Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary where you'll see all manner of rescued aquatic life from otters to sharks.
How to get there
Take a train to either King's Lynn or Sheringham then take the Coasthopper bus to Blakeney.
Step by step
1 From the bus stop, head towards Blakeney village and turn right down the High Street. At the end of the street you'll come out on to Blakeney Quay.
2 Turn left and follow the line of mooring posts. Join the Norfolk coast path, which runs between the houses and the salt marsh. Head away from the village keeping the salt marsh on your right and fields and houses on your left.
3 At Morston Quay head past the National Trust visitor centre along a track to its left and pick up the coast path again (to the right of the building with 1922 on it). Continue walking beside the salt marsh, but if you begin to cross a bridge on to the salt marsh, you've gone too far north; head back to the visitor centre and turn right.
4 Stay on the coast path, passing Stiffkey Freshes Creek on your right and Stiffkey Freshes on your left.
5 Continue on the path, passing Stiffkey Greens, until you reach Stiffkey Greenway car park.
