Peddars Way is a long distance hiking and cycling trail from near Thetford near the Norfolk/Suffolk border to the North Norfolk coast at Hunstanton. Mostly following ancient Roman routes, the trail has the characteristic straight trajectory that’s associated with this era.

The Peddars Way is for you if you love wildlife, history and the great British Countryside, which it has all three in spades. Explore ancient castles and ruins, look out for wildlife among glacial wetlands and coastal marshes and enjoy the expansive arable landscape that’s so typical of this county.

At 46 miles (74km) this route can be completed over several days, allowing plenty of time for exploring the rich history—not to mention great eateries—that lines the route. For keener cyclists, the whole way can be attempted in a single day, or even a there-and-back attempt! Here we propose a two to three day route, with the third day from the end of the Peddars Way in Hunstanton following lanes on National Cycle Route 1 back down South West to King’s Lynn, the nearest train station. We’ve also added a short length at the start of the Peddars Way so that you can navigate easily from Thetford Station, the best local access point to the start.

This is an off road route, which is most suited to gravel bikes. Hardtail or rigid mountain bikes are also perfectly acceptable, but it should be noted that racing-type road bikes will not be suitable for this route. It’s best ridden in the drier summer months as some trails run along field margins that can get rather wet and boggy in the rainier seasons. Remember that Norfolk is very low-lying and hence drainage is not the county’s strong point!
As the Peddars Way is very well marked and follows the same direction entirely, it is very easy to navigate, and with good accessibility to nearby towns it makes the perfect off road route for beginners. The terrain is rarely challenging, and the landscape is perhaps some of the most gentle in the UK. For perspective, the highest point on the route is at a mere 300 feet (90 meters)!

Beginning and ending at train stations, the accessibility of the Peddars Way as presented here is excellent. Either leave a vehicle at the start or finish and train back to it, or abandon the motor completely and choose public transport.

And if you want more, the Peddars Way actually forms part of an epic coast to coast long-distance route, starting on the English Channel in Lyme Regis: komoot.com/collection/960973/english-channel-to-north-sea-cycle-the-greater-ridgeway-trail