Wivbri one

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This is a truly beautiful walk along the banks of the River Colne and then Alresford Creek to Thorrington Mill, which we highly recommend as more than 'good enough’ to be part of the network; we would walk it again and definitely suggest to others.

There are two important caveats though! 1) We went wrong when we hit the Brightlingsea Road and were too far past to rectify by the time we noticed, since this was the end of our walk, so although we reached Brightlingsea, technically we only completed 2/3rds of the route and need to return to complete the correct end section. 2) there is one short stretch mid-section where we would recommend an alternative route (see below). This is the only reason for it not currently being recommended as a 5* route. In every other respect it should be.

I am also a wheelchair user, as evident in pics. For multiple reasons – difficult terrain, narrow overgrown paths, camber and the odd step - this is not a route that can really be recommended for wheelchair users. We did manage to complete it (this was in firm, dry conditions), with the help of an electric hand-bike, an adventurous spirit, plenty of support and some occasional backtracking! Nonetheless, the review is with non-disabled walkers primarily in mind, with some key access considerations highlighted in photos for others/all.

At the Wivenhoe end, the riverbank path is a wide, hoggin path, comfortable walking with good restpoints, including intermittent benches. Towards Alresford Creek and beyond, the path is narrower, grassy, single track, a bit rutted in places, but still lovely, especially on the riverside sections, where the views are exceptionally pretty.

Midway along Alresford Creek (w3w: ///gobblers.gains.firelight), Wivbri one diverts from the riverbank and takes a slightly more direct inland route before joining up with it again. This route section though is very narrow, highly overgrown, and lacks the views from the riverbank as well. So, we would recommend continuing along the riverbank instead, which is overall an easier, more pleasant walk and not much longer.

The major barriers to wheelchair access and some other mobility-restricted walkers:
- Very signifcant tree roots which make the route impassable in a chair without support at w3w: ///flexibly.tested.nosedive, see image 5.
- A steep angled step (w3w: ///masks.pounces.character), difficult to negotiate even with 2 people helping, see image 8
- Very overgrown narrow path (image 10). This is the section where we've suggested an alternative, although there are other shorter sections too where this was an issue (in early-summer at least).
- Kissing gates (13 and 11), would prevent access via tramper or other all-terrain chair, although in image 11 the gate had been removed (not sure whether permanently).
- Very long, steep gravel hill at Thorrington Mill leading to the Brightlingsea Road.
- In addition to the above, tricky (for a chair), rutted mixed terrain along the riverbank for significant sections of the route, also likley to be muddy and slippery in the wet.

But all of that apart, a GREAT walk!! We will return to review the very last section.

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