The question and answers below should help you get started but if you have any further questions do please get in touch
Don’t I need lots of expensive equipment to go walking?
No. You can walk on easy paths in countryside with just ordinary warm, comfortable clothing, a pair of good comfortable shoes or trainers, plus a small backpack if you’re going off on a longer walk and want to take some food, drink and a spare top. If you start taking regular, longer walks a waterproof jacket is a good investment, and a pair of proper walking boots if you want to use rougher, more rural paths. Only for walking safely in remote and mountainous areas will you need serious specialist clothing and equipment.
- Appropriate footwear.
In mid-summer this could mean walking sandals or even flip flops but we strongly recommend that to begin with something like trainers or a delight pair of walking boots. - Water
A simple plastic bottle will do but make sure you have at least one litre of water during hot weather. - Water/wind proof
This has not got to be the latest top of the range model from an outdoor shop.There are plenty of budget coats available that are perfectly adequate. - Warmer clothing
Even in summer the winds on the coast can be cold. - Snacks.
Food is important.High energy snacks are best. - Something to carry this lot in.
A budget daypack is all that is needed.
I live in a town: how do I get to the National Trail without a car?
That is easy! The Norfolk Coast Path has excellent train and bus links, especially from Norwich and Kings Lynn. Regular trains run into both Kings Lynn and Cromer/Sheringham and from all of these stations there are links to the great Coasthopper service. Visit our travel page for more information. Go there.
How far and how fast can I walk?
As with all forms of exercise, start with short, easy walks and build up as you get a feel for your own capabilities. It’s better to find a walk slightly too easy than get stiff and sore through overstretching yourself.
Yes but how do I plan a walk?
An example walk plan
Select your favourite bit of the coast or your favourite pub and base your trip around this.
To plan your trip you do need to know how fast you walk. Everyone will have a slightly different walking speed.However most recreational walking will vary between two and three miles per hour so if to start with you work on 2.5 miles per hour on the gentle landscape / terrain of Norfolk it is not going to be far out.
So to walk the 7 (6.6 to be exact) miles between Wells and Burnham Overy Staithe, for example, will take 2.8 hours.(Divide the distance by 2.5 and you get the time it takes to walk) 2.8 or 2 hours 48 minutes can be rounded up to 3 hours.This gives about ten minutes of stopping time and on this coast you will probably need to factor in stopping to go “wow look at that view!”
So the walk plan could look something like this.
- 0900.Leave Wells Quay.
- Follow the Norfolk Coast Path to Burnham Overy Staithe
- 1200.Arrive at The Hero pub for a much needed lunch
- Catch the Coasthopper back to Wells at 1335 (but check the latest times either at the bus stop or better still the timetables booklet which you carry with you!)
If you fancy making a full day of it why not add on the 3.9 miles to Burnham Deepdale.This will take about 1.5 hours (distance of 3.9 divided by walk speed of 2.5).If you leave The Hero at 1330 you should be at Deepdale Café in time for afternoon tea!Then catch the bus back to Wells
How will I find my way?
The coast path is well signed by a combination of wooden finger posts and waymark posts, all will have the black and white National Trail acorn on. You can use the path without a map but you will need to make sure you pay attention to the signing.
How can I encourage children to walk with me?
Rather than simply suggesting going for a walk, make it a trip to do something else the children will find interesting and that incidentally involves some walking – a visit to a lifeboat station, a hill (we do have a couple on the Norfolk Coast Path!) to fly a kite on Holkham beach or the North Norfolk Railway. Don’t forget that a ride on the Coasthopper can be an exciting experience for children with friendly drivers ready to help if you have a problem
Keep the walk itself short and easy, appropriate to their age and ability, build in ‘escape routes’ if you need to cut it short, and be prepared to cancel on rainy days. Allow plenty of time for breaks, take a picnic or include a visit to a pub or café that welcomes children. Visit our information page to find out where the cafes are on the coast. Go at the child’s pace and avoid pushing them on if they get tired or bad-tempered. Or join a family walking group where they can walk with other children of their own age.