Manhar one

Verified Slow Way

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Walked from Harwich to Mistley. Quite a varied walk from the industrial area in Parkeston, across paddocks at Ramsey, farmland and then back to a riverside walk around Wrabness.
There were a few points where I wandered off the route; in Dovercourt I stayed on the old railway path rather than needlessly going through the residential area (it rejoins Parkeston road, behind Lidls) and at Wrabness I walked past 'the house for Essex' into the village to stop at the community shop (open 9am-1pm Sat,Sun,Wed / 9am-4pm Mon,Tue,Thur&Fri).
There is a lack of footpath markers from Ray Lane to Wrabness Lane at Ramsey. Once opposite the farm cottage there is a gap in the hedge to cut directly across the field. There is approx. 200 metre section of walking on the B1352 that is a 60/40mph section without a verge to walk on that isn't ideal.

I took the train to Harwich and walked the route in reverse from Harwich to Manningtree. It should be verified as it was straightforward walk to follow but would not try to cycle the route. Harwich is a Historic port and there is plenty of historical interest to while away a couple of hours. The first couple of miles leaving Harwich were uninspiring as mainly through housing in an urban setting. The route became more interesting as it hit Parkeston with the international ferry terminal and river views. The next leg to Ramsey and Copperas Wood was poorly signed and very overgrown so long trousers recommended - I was stung by waist height stinging nettles, but I am familiar with the area and GPS keeps you on track. To be honest once you get to Ramsey you are following The Essex Way which has many points of interest although signage is still poor so need to follow the route closely. There are a couple of stretches walking on country roads so care needs to be taken at these points and close to the end at Mistley one field with cattle but they were friendly. My preference would be the slightly longer Essex Way starting in Harwich as it is more scenic with more points of interest for the first couple of miles. Highlights of the walk were a view into Harwich International Port, walking through 3 beautiful Nature Reserves in an AONB, river views across the Stour, Grayson Perrys House for Essex, 2 historic churches, the historic oak tree Old Knobbley and Historic towns of Mistley and Manningtree. Public conveniences at start and finish. Plenty of places to eat and drink in Harwich and Manningtree plus a pub and shop in Ramsey but not much after Ramsey until Mistley - I had a picnic lunch at Wrabness nature reserve with Turtle Doves turring and Nightingales singing. Some lovely countryside and riverside stretches - I did have a couple of off piste wanders en route and clocked up 16 miles including walks from car park to station etc.

The route itself starts approximately a mile east from Manningtree's rail station, but it's easy enough to get to the starting point. Manningtree to Furze Hill does have some inclines to it, as does parts of Dovercourt, but the rest is broadly flat. Both Furze Hill and Wrabness Nature Reserve can be a little tricky to stay on track with, but as long as you're armed with a compass and keep an eye out for Essex Way markers then it's more than doable. The route also notably deviates from the Essex Way Path from Bradford to Wrabness, going straight up to the coast via the road whereas Essex Way makes a slow farm-based move upwards - the Manhar route then takes you along a public footpath that is VERY close to the mean high water of Jacques Bay. It's passable when I crossed it (late morning, past week had been dry weather), but I had to be quick on my feet as it quickly got very marshy and my feet sunk down into the ground a couple of times. It's probably much easier/safer to traverse with the aid of trekking poles to test the ground. By the time it rejoined the Essex Way it was completely back to solid ground, so it may be worth sticking to the Essex Way if the weather has not been as favourable or if you require a more sure-footed journey. On the whole a wonderful journey - it takes you through a mix of woodland, nature reserves, coastal walks, farm crossings, and only a small amount of street/road walking (predominantly between Harwich International Port/Parkeston and Harwich Town proper). Encountered a few dog walkers, but otherwise mostly left in peace, and plenty of places to sit and have lunch if you don't mind the wind!.

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