7 best North Norfolk walks by the coast and in the countryside

August 19, 2025 | Holiday tips | 8 minute read

North Norfolk is full of stunning scenery, with diverse landscapes including beautiful beaches, grazing and salt marshes, woodland, nature reserves, fields and parkland. Whatever the season (and whatever the weather), we highly recommend enjoying a stomp, stroll or longer hike when you’re visiting the area, so you can take in the views, observe local wildlife and share in Norfolk’s beauty. Here we’re sharing the best walks in North Norfolk, each with a suggestion of a pit stop en route to refuel!

The majority of these walks are dog friendly unless specified, though on beaches during nesting season you will be asked to keep your pup on a lead in certain areas.

Where to stay for your North Norfolk walking holiday

If you’re planning a walking holiday by the North Norfolk coast (or simply want to go on a couple of strolls during your break away), Pinewoods Holiday Park is located along the Norfolk Coast Path. Our luxury holiday lodges, modern caravans and touring park pitches provide the perfect base to enjoy countryside and coastal walks in North Norfolk. Find out more about staying with us here.

Coastal North Norfolk walks

Our wild and expansive sandy beaches and coast paths are wonderful for short strolls or longer walks! Just remember to check tide times to ensure it’s a safe time to head out.

Wells Beach to Holkham Beach and back

Take in two of the UK’s best beaches with this stunning circular walk. If you’re staying with us at Pinewoods, this is a must!

Stroll across the sand, picking out your favourite colour beach hut or looking out for seals bobbing their heads out of the water. As the beach huts end, you’ll reach beautiful sand dunes and, soon, a left turn along the boardwalk into the pine woods. Once you reach The Lookout, you can follow the path through the trees back to Wells-next-the-Sea, or, of course, you can return along the beach.

Refuel: Pick up a coffee or snack at The Lookout at the Holkham Beach end of the walk, or visit Wells Beach Café for a wider range of food including pastries, sausage and bacon rolls, pizza and ice cream.

Holkham to Burnham Overy Staithe

Starting at The Lookout, head west along the track to enjoy views over the marshes of Holkham National Nature Reserve. Keep an eye out for birdlife — this is a real haven for birds, and in the autumn and winter, you won’t walk far without hearing and seeing the tens of thousands of pink footed geese that migrate here for the cooler months.

Head into the pine woods and take a path to the dunes. Enjoy the views and the sea breeze before following the Norfolk Coast Path along the sea wall, leading to the quay at Burnham Overy Staithe.

The Coastliner bus service runs from Burnham to Holkham if you don’t fancy walking back.

Refuel: Enjoy a bite to eat or a drink at The Hero, a much-loved pub in Burnham Overy Staithe.

Wells to Stiffkey

Another popular walk from Wells (and easily doable from Pinewoods Holiday Park) is the route from Wells to Stiffkey. From the main Wells Quay, head along the quieter East Quay until you pick up the Norfolk Coast Path. This will take you on a walk overlooking Stiffkey marshes, with the infamous big Norfolk skies overhead. A mix of open grassland and single file paths, it’s an easy route which will eventually lead you to the lovely village of Stiffkey.

Take the same route back to Wells or travel back aboard the Coasthopper bus.

Refuel: Stiffkey Stores is a small but delightful coffee stop and lifestyle store, or enjoy a larger lunch at The Red Lion.

Cley and Salthouse marshes and beach

A couple and their dog walk on Cley Beach at sunset

Cley and Salthouse marshes is a 300 hectare coastal reserve run by Norfolk Wildlife Trust.

A popular spot with birdwatchers, there are information boards and several hides dotted across the marshes, most of which can be accessed via boardwalks. These offer fantastic views over the marshland and towards the sea. Non-NWT members must pay to access the hides.

Not interested in birds? This is still a fantastic choice for your walk. The scenery is stunning, and you can enjoy a stroll towards the coast and Cley Beach (pictured) before returning on walking tracks through the reserve or into Cley village.

Note that only assistance dogs are permitted on the reserve.

Refuel: The NWT visitor centre houses a large café where you’ll find lunch items, cakes and drinks to tuck into.

Countryside walks in North Norfolk

Holkham Park

Not far from Pinewoods, you’ll find Holkham Park and the magnificent Palladian-style hall. Within the parkland there are seven waymarked routes to choose from. These range from 1-6 miles and cover a variety of terrains. Enjoy views of Holkham Hall and the lake, spot the resident herd of Fallow Deer, and look out for the follies and buildings dotted across the park.

If you fancy a longer adventure, you can walk from Pinewoods to Holkham Park via the coastal path through the pine woods, turning left at The Lookout and walking up Lady Anne’s Drive.

Refuel: You’ll find Holkham’s Courtyard Café in the park which serves hot and cold food including the popular salad bar, delicious cakes and traybakes and children’s lunchboxes. Alternatively, enjoy seasonal small plates or larger mains at The Victoria (with a cosy fire in the colder months!) or a coffee and sausage roll from The Lookout.

Blickling Estate

This National Trust estate near Aylsham is a popular choice for a stroll, whether or not you wish to look inside the house. The parkland is nearly 5,000 acres, so there’s plenty to explore and there are a number of waymarked routes of varying lengths.

On the circular two-mile walk around the lake, you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful views of the Jacobean hall, while a longer stroll allows you to take in the woodland, where you’ll see an abundance of bluebells in the springtime or can enjoy the crunch of golden leaves come autumn.

Refuel: Pop to The Stables Café by the car park or head to Muddy Boots if you’re bringing your dog. The Bucks Arms does fantastic pub food too.

Sheringham Park

Discover 1,000 acres of parkland, woodland and cliff top at Sheringham Park, a National Trust park.

Follow the trails or see where your feet take you. If you can stand heights, you’ll want to climb to the top of the tower, from where you can enjoy views of the sea and treetop canopy. You might even spot a passing steam train!

Refuel: Sheringham Park’s Courtard Café serves hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and snacks.

We couldn’t possibly share every walk worth doing in North Norfolk, but there are plenty more wonderful routes to explore and discover on your next Norfolk holiday.

And remember to take a look at our range of holiday accommodation if you’re still planning your trip. Pinewoods’ enviable location by stunning Wells Beach and a stroll from Wells town means we’re the ideal base for local walks and holidays, so we hope we’ll see you soon!