Norfolk

Blakeney to Stiffkey coastal walk

Sunrise over Stiffkey Marshes. | © Neil Jakeman

Enjoy Norfolk’s vast open landscape and far-reaching views on this walk along the coast path beside pristine saltmarsh. See Morston and Stiffkey salt marshes on the way, finishing at Stiffkey car park. A perfect route for families and wildlife spotting in the marshes.

Near to

Blakeney National Nature Reserve

Start point

Bus stop near Blakeney Church (TG032436) or Blakeney Quay (TG028442)

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 4 (km: 6.4)

Duration2 hours 30 mins

Dog friendly***

*Mostly level ground with some uneven surfaces and steps. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**Suitable for sturdier types of pushchairs. For further details, please see Access section.
***Dogs welcome, but please keep under close control. For further details, please see Facilities section.

Blakeney Point

Do not attempt to cross the harbour to reach Blakeney Point, access is via boat from Morston Quay or Cley Beach Norfolk Wildlife Trust car park.

Address
Morston Quay, Quay Road, Morston, Norfolk NR25 7BH
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Sheringham 8 miles (12km) east of Cley, then take Coasthopper bus to Cley.
On foot
Norfolk Coast Path runs 45 miles from Hunstanton to Cromer, passing Blakeney.
By bus
Norfolk Coasthopper, Sheringham to Hunstanton, for Blakeney, Morston and Stiffkey.
By road
A149 Sheringham to King’s Lynn coast road for Blakeney, Morston and Stiffkey.
Total stages: 5
Total stages: 5
Start point
Bus stop near Blakeney Church (TG032436) or Blakeney Quay (TG028442)
Stage 1
From the bus stop, head towards Blakeney village and turn right down the High Street. At the end of the High Street you'll come out onto Blakeney Quay.
Morston Village and Quay | © National Trust Images/Justin Minns
Stage 2
Turn left and follow the line of mooring posts. Join the Norfolk Coast Path that 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.
Saltmarsh plants and birds
In winter, the salt marsh becomes home to many species of migratory wildfowl. See large flocks of dark brent geese grazing on the marshes, and short-eared owls and hen harriers skimming over the salt marsh. In summer, listen out for waders like the noisy redshank, once known as the watcher of the marshes, which breeds on the higher, grassy areas of salt marsh. Look for rare, salt-loving plants such as samphire, which colonises the open mud, and the silvery 'sea purslane' which borders the creeks. Also, look out for the sea lavender in July and August.
Stage 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 onto the salt marsh, you've gone too far north; head back to the visitor centre and turn right.
Boats moored at Morston Quay | © National Trust Images/Rod Edwards
Stage 4
Stay on the coast path, passing Stiffkey Freshes Creek on your right and Stiffkey Freshes on your left.
A ringed plover wading through muddy saltmarsh creek at Stiffkey Marshes, Norfolk | © National Trust Images/Rob Coleman
Stage 5
Continue on the path, passing Stiffkey Greens, until you reach Stiffkey Greenway car park. Once arrived at Stiffkey, either return the way you came or take the Norfolk Coasthopper bus back to Blakeney.
End point
Bus stop near Blakeney Church (TG032436) or Blakeney Quay (TG028442)
Trail map
Blakeney to Stiffkey coastal walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey
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