Colman one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 75.00% of reviewers

As previously mentioned, the bridge closure in Lower Castle Park over the River Colne was a tiny hiccup but there are multiple options for a very quick diversion before getting back on track.

Leaving Colchester up the hill through the High Woods Country Park was lovely to look back over the city before we immersed ourselves in the winding woodland paths. This was a great path to leave the city as it involved very few roads.

The quarry section of this walk was both a highlight and a tricky obstacle with the highly likely risk upon deciding to enter that you will have to turn back due to a dead-end footpath. It was a very unique experience.

The trip was a wonderful walk, with a great variety of landscapes and surfaces. Could potentially be muddy when wet weather, but overall a good footpath. There are some difficulties as explained by previous reviewer Thom Brisco.

An enjoyable route with striking beautiful moments but some considerable challenges. Leaving Colchester, we encountered an issue with a closed bridge over the River Colne in Castle Park (March 2024) but there are nearby alternatives to east and west and it looked like it would be resolved soon. This was followed by very pretty moments in High Woods Country Park.

The route’s major challenge is a stretch that passes right through the middle of Crown Quarry to the west of Ardleigh. Undertaken as part of a near 100-mile walk, this stretch will remain one of the most memorable sections of our group’s walk, but I must highlight that it traverses an active quarry with a highly changeable landscape of slopes, machines, and chopped up footpath. With past portions now flooded to form man-made lakes, I suspect in time that this portion of the trail will stabilize as a beautiful walk, but it should be approached with caution. Exiting the quarry, the route tracks Wick Lane where walkers should beware of the limited refuge, as noted by a previous reviewer. An alternative route across this area could track Crown Lane to the south.

Approaching Manningtree, I would recommend a short 100-metre offshoot from the trail at Church Hill, to glimpse the beautiful listed ‘Pink Cottage’ and visit St Mary’s Church at Lawford.

Much of the route is easy and pleasant walking but two sections are problematic. The path between Crown Lane North and Wick Lane goes through the middle of a quarry and is steep and very rutted on the south side and equally steep but loose shingle on the north side. Then Wick Lane itself is a narrow and busy 'rat run' with limited 'refuge' for pedestrians. In my view Wick Lane is best avoided. There is almost certainly a better route out of Colchester but I need to check it out.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.