Cycling and Walking

Cycling and Walking Routes

The Norfolk Broads is a large area covering Norfolk and part of Suffolk too. With so much to see, including some of the best wildlife you are ever to encounter, cycling or biking around the Norfolk Broads is arguably the best way to get around. Thankfully, the Norfolk Broads is home to a vast array of cycling routes and trails for you to explore at your own pace. For those ramblers and walkers, the quiet lanes, lovely fields with pathways, trees and nature walks abound

We have tried our hardest to assemble the majority of major cycling routes around the Norfolk Broads here for you. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of any of the routes we have on this page. Always check around with the local council or tourist information centre.

Click on the highlighted orange links to download map pdf's of all the routes listed.

GOOD CYCLING CODE

Take care when approaching walkers and disabled users – remember that some people may have impaired hearing or sight.
Take extreme care when crossing roads, particularly with children.
When crossing ramped bridges, do not attempt to ride over them. Walk alongside your bike and push it up the ramp.
Always be courteous and considerate to other path users.
Respect other land management activities, such as farming and forestry.
Keep erosion to a minimum, please stay on the path.
Please do not lean on the adjoining fences.
It is advisable to wear a helmet, appropriate clothing and carry a repair kit and lights.
Take care when cycling downhill.
Match your speed to the surface, your skills and to the presence of others.
Ensure that your bicycle is safe to ride.

Walking & Cycling in Broadland - Visitors Information Leaflet

An extensive network of paths and routes take you through woodlands, parkland, marshland, broads and heaths. The gentle nature of the countryside and less rain than some Mediterranean countries, means it is ideal for families and those that just love being outdoors. We have a range of guides to suit all tastes that are available free from our TIC.

For those wanting a greater challenge spend the weekend walking or cycling off-road along the Marriott’s Way and the Bure Valley Path. A distance of some 35 miles exploring the cultural and railway heritage of the area, it is a great introduction to Norfolk, and a little more challenging than you might think.

Credit - Broadland District Council

Walking & Cycling in Broadland (5.5 MB)

Bure Valley Path - Broads Bike Trail

The Broads and surrounding countryside are the ideal place for cycling. Quiet roads, gentle slopes, beautiful countryside and fresh air, all combine to make cycling a real pleasure.

There are plenty of pretty villages within easy reach, with ancient churches, wind pumps, pubs, cafes and other attractions to enjoy. You can even make it to the nearby coast, with its rolling waves, dunes and beautiful sandy beaches.

Above all, there are stunning views of the Broads, with sails gliding across marshland fields, all beneath the spectacular skies for which the area is famous.

Credit - Broads Authority

Bure Valley Cycle Route - Horning to Aylsham (87.4 KB)

A Broadland Church Trail - Broads Bike Trail
Credit - Broads Authority

Broadland Church Cycle Trail - Hoveton to Acle (1.6 MB)

Blofield Area - Broadland

This tour of part of beautiful Broadland will take you through attractive villages and picturesque countryside. This tour is not suitable for cars as some of the railway crossings are closed to vehicles. There are many interesting churches and other attractions on the way which are well worth a visit. Please take great care when crossing the railway lines and cycling along the narrow lanes. Although the tour begins at the Church in Blofield it is designed so that it can be joined at any point.

Blofield has a long history and was mentioned in the Domesday Book as Blawefelda. Although there is much modern housing it retains its historical character with a few 18th and 19th century houses. It is the home of Norfolk’s oldest Women’s Institute which was formed in 1918. To commemorate its 50th anniversary a village sign was made for Blofield showing the maple leaf of Canada and the red rose of Britain in reference to the founding of the organisation in both countries.

Credit - Broadland District Council

Blofield Area Cycle Route - 10 Mile Cycle Tour (1.3 MB)

Blofield and Brundall walks

Blickling to Cawston - Broadland

The parish of Blickling is largely covered by the estate of Blickling Hall, an early 17th Century house owned by the National Trust. It is one of England's great Jacobean houses and is built in red brick. The ghosts of Anne Boleyn and Sir John Fastolfe are said to haunt the house and grounds. There are miles of attractive lakeside and parkland walks, and interesting features such as the sunken garden, dry moat, temple and orangery.

Credit - Broadland District Council

Blickling to Cawston - 20 Mile Cycle Tour (1.3 MB)

Horsham To Aylsham - Broadland

In 1939-40 an RAF base was built at Horsham St. Faith. It became home to the Liberator aeroplanes of the 458th Bomber Group of the 2nd Air Division of the USAAF. The site now forms part of Norwich Airport.

Charles II is said to have often visited the Black Swan Public House and the Prince of Wales’ feathers can be seen on the south west wall as a reminder of its royal past.

Credit - Broadland District Council

Horsham to Aylsham - 20 Mile Cycle Tour (914.9 KB)

Hoveton Cycle Tour
Credit - Broads Authority

Hoveton Cycle Tour (92.2 KB)

Gt Plumstead to Acle - Broadland

Great Plumstead is thought to mean 'dwelling site near plums' and was mentioned in the Domesday Book. The Church of St. Mary the Virgin is mainly made of flint but contains medieval fragments including the gargoyles around the tower.

Credit - Broadland District Council

Gt Plumstead to Acle - 18 Mile Cycle Tour (769.8 KB)

Hoveton to Horning - 23 Miles Round Trip
Credit - Broads Authority

Hoveton to Horning Cycle Route (92.2 KB)

South Trinity Broads Cycle Route
Credit - South Trinity Broads Benefice

South Trinity Cycle Route - Churches (1.9 MB)

Reedham Cycle Route

12 Mile Cycle Tour
This tour of beautiful Broadland will take you through attractive villages and picturesque countryside. The tour is not suitable for cars as some of the railway crossings are closed to vehicles. There are many interesting churches and other attractions on the way which are well worth a visit. Please take great care when crossing the railway lines. Although the tour begins at Reedham Quay it is designed so that it can be joined at any point.

Credit - Broadland District Council

Reedham Area - 12 Mile Cycle Tour (1.3 MB)

Ringland Area

13 Mile Cycle Tour
Marriott’s Way runs for 21 miles from Norwich to Aylsham along the former line of the Midland and Great Northern Railway and is named after the railway’s Chief Engineer.
Attlebridge is a small village on the east side of the River Wensum.

It was known as Atlebruge at the time of the Domesday Book and lies on the old pilgrims way from Norwich to the Shrine of Our Lady at Little Walsingham. As you come into the village, the Attlebridge Church of St Andrew is on your right. The church dates from the 13th Century although some restoration was undertaken in 1864. There are a few brasses in the church including one to William, son and heir of William Ely, Baron of the Exchequer, of around 1520.

Credit - Broadland District Council

Ringland Cycle Route - 13 Mile Tour (1.4 MB)

Mid Norfolk Cycle Routes

The route uses mainly quiet lanes with some short off-road sections and can be ridden ‘end to end’ or in parts, perhaps as part of local circular routes.

The route heads north out of Thetford, passing through the edge of Thetford Forest. It briefly joins the ancient Roman “Peddars Way” National Trail and then passes through the market towns of Watton and Dereham. North of Dereham the route takes in the pretty village of Gressenhall, with the excellent Gressenhall Farm & Workhouse Museum a short distance from the route. From Gressenhall the route continues northwards to join National Route 1 at Gateley, near Fakenham.

Credit - Breckland Council

Mid Norfolk Cycle Routes - Route 13 - Fakenham to Thetford (639.7 KB)

Norwich Cycling Map

The map shows the cycle network for the city and surrounding area, together with other important roads and landmarks.

It incorporates a section of the Sustrans National Cycle Network connecting through the centre of Norwich from Marriott’s Way in the north-west to Whitlingham Lane in the south-east (look out for the special red ‘Route 1’ signs).

The map will be particularly useful if you are about to make a trip to somewhere you haven’t been before by bike, or want to find a better route than one you’ve tried. Use the map in conjunction with a normal street map to look up your destination, then find the closest point on the cycle network and you’re away!

You may find you have alternative suggested routes shown, in which case you could try them both (e.g. on the outward and return journeys). You may even discover another route all of your own, in which case you may care to let the cycling officer know about it (see Useful Contacts) so that it can be included on the next edition of this map!

Credit - Norwich City Council

Norwich Cycle Routes 

These nine routes around South Norfolk offer something for every type of rider. There is also a handy tour map!

Credit - BBC Norfolk

Route 1 - Wymondham to Marlingford (972.9 KB)

Route 2 - UEA to East Carleton & Back (860.0 KB)
Route 3 - Trowse - Loddon + Site of Natural Interest (798.8 KB)
 Route 5 - Diss to Dickleburgh + WWII Airfields (911.5 KB)
 Route 6 - Long Stratton to Tibenham (714.0 KB)
 Route 7 - Heckingham to Reedham (298.1 KB)
 Route 8 - Swardeston to Bracon Ash (426.3 KB)
 Route 9 - Diss to Winfarthing (778.6 KB)
South Norfolk Cycling Tour Map (1.3 MB)

Biking in South Norfolk Overview of Cycling Routes

Regional Route 30

Regional Route 30 runs around the edge of Norfolk, sometimes shared with National Routes, with a high proportion of the route on roads. King’s Lynn Route 30 is shared with National Route 1 and the routes split just past Wells-next-the-Sea with the Coastal route continuing through Cromer and Great Yarmouth and into Lowestoft. From Lowestoft the route follows the Waveney Valley along the Norfolk/ Suffolk border passing through Beccles, where it rejoins National Route 1, then on through Bungay and Diss to join the Little Ouse Valley and National Route 13 near Thetford. The route continues through Brandon to link up with National Route 11 for the route back to King’s Lynn.

Regional Route 31

Regional Route 31 Beccles to Reedham. A route being developed from Reedham to Gt Yarmouth via Acle.

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