Suffolk Coast Path - Lowestoft to Southwold Beach Route
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Wednesday, 23 February 2022
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3 comments |
An exhilarating 12 mile coastal walk along the Suffolk Coast
The Suffolk Coast Path route between Lowestoft and Southwold navigates some distance inland using road and paths. It is not an ideal diversion and although there are some worthwhile features to explore it is not what one would expect from a coastal footpath. An alternative route is to walk the entire distance along the beach providing the tide is not high. It should be stressed that it is imperative to check the tide times before setting out on such a hike to prevent oneself from being cut off by the encroaching tide. The coastline is one of the fastest eroding coasts in europe and presents an ever changing scene of destruction with broads, woodland and cliffs all being taken by the sea.
Walk Statistics
Maps
The following maps and services can assist in navigating this route. There are links to printed maps and links to downloadable GPX route data for importing into navigational software and apps.
- Ordnance Survey Explorer Map
- OS Explorer 231 - Southwold & Bungay
- GPX Route File
Walk Notes
This is a spectacular walk and one undertaken by Griffmonster Walks numerous times. It cannot be stressed highly enough that one should check the tide times before setting out, and undertake the walk 2 hours either side of low tide, and not at a time of either storm surge or spring tides. The coastline is forever changing and sections that were once broad beaches can become pinch-points with the tide lapping at the sandy cliffs, the changing happening virtually overnight. There is no alternative path and although access to cliff tops can be gained at Benacre, Covehithe and Easton broads, there is no legitimate path and field boundaries can contain fences that run to the very cliff edge. It should be remembered that these cliffs are mostly sand and cliff falls are frequent, therefore do not walk close to the cliffs.
With the warnings heeded then we can get on with the walk details. This is a linear walk, therefore unless one is going to walk in both directions, a feat that cannot be undertaken without waiting for the tide, then the best method to undertake this is to use the regular Lowestoft to Southwold bus service. The walk begins at Lowestoft in this instance although this is personal choice and not limited by logistics. The prom can be used to navigate out of Lowstoft through to Pakefield where the beach is then the only method onwards. This presents the first tide pinch point with the Pakefield cliffs which are ony allow access at low tide. Not many years ago this section was easily passable but the sea and beach profiles change over the years.
Route Validation Cards
Validation Date - 10/08/2019
- Time of Walk: 11:00 to 15:00
- Validators: griff, helen, ed
- Weather Conditions: blustery day but very warm
- Notes: Initial route undertaken
Summary of Document Changes
Last Updated: 2026-01-12
- 2021-03-26 : Initial Publication
- 2021-12-01 : Removal of ViewRanger links due to its imminent demise
3 comments:
Wish I had read this before going. I mostly followed the official coastal path. This results in some long inland sections. Mostly annoying ie main road, then long diversion around a nature reserve later.After a while stuck to the beach but now dangerous getting up a large rock groin into Southwold. Great guide thankyou.
This coastline is continuously changing. As you said, the access into Southwold is now not easy. I have been told that from Easton Broad there is a path over the cliff into Southwold which is the intended route for the England coast path but I have yet to validate this. Happy walking!
I walked from Southwold yesterday. As seawall ends after the pier you come across a large granite pile which is too dangerous to clamber over or round even at low tide . Trying the inland side after carpark meet land owner blocking off access due to 'crime'. Forced to walk inland along bridlepath until hit Wrentham road wher you walk a couple of miles along a busy road with narrow banks. Fortunately road works made the road less busy but unless this part is changed it is far to dangerous. Eventually reach another footpath back to Covehithe and the coast and the stunning and leg draining beach walk to Loestoft
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