The problems are now rectified and the route is much better for it (thank you Daisy!) The route would be perfect if it weren't for the chicken wired stile which my dog could not negotiate and she is too heavy to lift over but it didn't stop us continuing with the walk....

Helen Glashier

Pleasant enough walk generally and a good alternative to the problems identified in SafHav 1 up until Castle Camps. Paths in reality don't match official positions on OS, Essex Council and at other times OSM maps....

Daisy C

Apart from crossing and then 30m on a pavement beside busy Thaxted Road at Howlett End there was barely any road walking between the two towns. That brought us out onto busy Thaxted Road again and just 500m later we were on S Walden Common....

Daisy C

The path through Rosy Grove ///shortage.sparks.folks was not entirely impassable but lush young growth of snowberry was flopping very heavily across the path with overnight rain and became hard work for both of us to push past. Others had used the parallel field edge which rejoins the footpath at a path junction further south, this would have been easier than ducking and squeezing back to the path through trees and a ditch at the end of the woodland! All the paths across fields had carefully cleared strips through the crops, except one small meadow of tall ryegrass by Debden Water with only a trodden narrow path, fine for humans to brush through but submerging my canine companion....

Daisy C

I've tested your route change anyway, from your description, and added a few other changes of my own....

Daisy C

I walked it over two days, first an evening walk from SW to Debden and D to Thaxted. A more serious problem was around 5.3km beside Debden Water (in an unmarked SSSI!). When I reached the no-pavement road walking on Newport Road (near Debden) I'd already decided to leave SafTha 1 and follow Helen G’s alternative. I don't remember problems between Debden and Thaxted but admittedly I didn't test every part as I adapted it as I went to get more shade and reduce lane and pavement walking....

Daisy C

I found it very easy to follow - the GPX was accurate and the paths well signposted. There is some road walking, but the roads seemed very quiet....

urizen25

Stansted Mountfitchet to Saffron Walden 2 (Stasaf 2) review. The route crosses the M11 via a footbridge and then through woods; welcome shade on a hot day (Photo 2). Prior Wood offered more welcome shade, although I was surprised how muddy it still was (Photo 7). The Slow Way continues towards Saffron Walden along a wide byway. An urban walk into Saffron Walden is partially avoided via a corner of the Audley End estate gardens....

Martin Ellis

Crossing points with roads presented the predicatable hazards, but the route contains no significant sections of pavement-less road walking, other than a brief section after Elsenham Station, where the traffic is fairly controlled and at crossing points. There is a Co-op supermarket near the station at Stansted Mountfichet and an off-license / sweetshop at Audley End Station, which was still open at 7.30 pm. So, one last thing: I didn't walk the final stretch into Saffron Walden itself. This was down to my travel plan, which was to come out of London Liverpool Street by train to Stansted Mountfichet and return from Audley End station, which are on the same line, which enables one to travel on a return ticket from Liverpool Street to Audley End. So, Instead of turning right at the Wendon Road to go into Saffron Walden, I turned off-route to the left and walked along pavement-less roads to Audley End, which wasn't as bad as I feared, since there are traffic-calming measures installed. By the time I reached Audley End Station, I realised that the whole area is exceptionally well serviced by local buses, so would have been perfectly possible to finish the walk into Saffron Walden and then take one of the frequent buses to Audley End, even as late as 7.00 or 8.00 pm. This excellent bus system, run by Stephensons, connects not only Saffron Walden and Audley End, but also Elsenham Station, Haverhill, Henham, Stansted Mountfichet, Newport and Bishops Stortford. For example, it would make a good day walk to start at Elsenham Station and do the walk up to Saffron Walden, or one could join or leave the route at Henham....

annawalker

Sawston to Saffron Walden 1 (Sawsaf 1) review. The route takes a gently ascending footpath through farmland north of town, with good views back south (Photo 1). The Slow Way ends with a pavement walk into Whittlesford, and a footpath across the railway line (Photo 8) and on into Sawston....

Martin Ellis

I have suggested an alternative route, sent separately, to avoid the necessity of walking along the busy Newport Road near Debden where there is no pavement or usable verge....

Helen Glashier

The second part from Great Chesterford to Saffron Walden is almost all on good off-road footpaths. The route climbs above Springwell and gives good views from the top all the way down into Saffron Walden....

explorer

The route would ideally be updated as these issues can easily be avoided...

Clare

A very good route, initially by footpath to Whittlesford, then after skirting Duxford another footpath to Ickleton and on to Great Chesterford....

Thomas Traherne

90% of this route is good; however, the last section from Castle Camps to Haverhill uses a country lane that is just wide enough for 2 vehicles and there is no pavement....

SuffolkJohn

The route from the Historic Market Town of Saffron Walden to Widdington is good & easy to follow as it mainly follows a section of the Harcamlow Way. From Widdington we would suggest a number of improvements in order to align this route more closely to the SlowWays methodology. Our suggestions would make this route safer, more accessible, reduction to road sections,pass additional rail link, be easier to navigate & be more enjoyable....

moraybee