SE500 Cromer (with easier option)

This walk consists of 2 parts:

• Part 1 - Moderate walk Cromer to Sheringham - 9.1K (6 miles) then get the train back.
• Part 2 -(optional) SE500 - walk back to Cromer via a different route - total 20.6K (13 miles) and 500m ascent.

Everyone will walk Part 1 first, then you can choose whether to continue with Part 2 or get the train back to Cromer.

You are most welcome to join this beautiful walk taking in sweeping panoramas of the Norfolk coast, the highest point in the county, as well as the Cromer Ridge and woodlands. New members are welcome and will find this a friendly, small group walk which provides a great introduction to Outdoorlads.

Cromer is known as the gem of the Norfolk Coast. It’s Victorian Pier and Pavilion Theatre are prominent landmarks. Brightly painted beach huts line the promenade, whilst poppies adorn the hilltops beside the coast. After taking in the view from the coastal hill, we follow paths inland to Incleborough Hill.

Incleborough Hill is a common west of Cromer, rising 79 metres above sea level, has excellent views across the landscape and out to sea. Glaciers from Norway melted at the end of an Ice Age, depositing gravel here which made the hill. Today, buzzards, honey buzzards, sparrowhawks, and kestrels can be spotted.

Next, we top Beacon Hill, the county top (highest point) in Norfolk at 105m. It is known as a Roman Camp by locals. Scenic panoramas of the coastline can be seen from here. Nightjar birds can sometimes be spotted. This area forms the Cromer Ridge. 

The Cromer Ridge was used to defend the coast from invasion over the centuries. Beacon fires were lit on the ridge to signal to other villages along the coast that invaders were coming. These were used since Roman times then later to warn of the Spanish Armada under Elizabeth I. In places on the ridge there is evidence of World War Two: earthworks, practice trenches, weapons pits, and gun placements.

Iron smelting pits dating from Saxon times were found by archaeologists here. Apparently, the site was very good for blowing, using the coastal air. Returning to the coast, Beeston Bump provides a good view heading towards Sheringham. There was a listening station here to detect U-Boat signals during World War Two. 

We follow the coastal path to the High Street where we will stop for lunch. You can choose here whether to continue with Part 2 or get the train back to Cromer.

Sheringham to Cromer trains run hourly at roughly XX45 minutes past the hour and take 8 minutes, single fare £4.10.

After lunch, Part 2 follows a different route back to Cromer, which is inland and goes over more of the Cromer Ridge, with some steeper parts balanced with good tracks. Taking parts 1 and 2 together, this walk adds up to an SE500: 500m of ascent over about 13 miles, burning off an average of 2100 calories.

Well behaved dogs are welcome on this walk. You can follow the route on OS Maps.

Photo credits

Cromer Hilltop Photo: Peter S © (cc-by-sa/2.0); Cromer Shelter Photo: Michael Garlick © (cc-by-sa/2.0); Edwards Plantation Photo: Trevor Littlewood © (cc-by-sa/2.0); Beacon Hill Photo: Roger Cornfoot © (cc-by-sa/2.0); Roman Camp Photo: Christine Matthews © (cc-by-sa/2.0); Gorse Heath Photo: Ian Capper © (cc-by-sa/2.0); Beeston Bump Photo: Sandy Gerrard © (cc-by-sa/2.0); Clifftop Beeston Bump Photo: Hugh Venables © (cc-by-sa/2.0); Below Beeston Photo: Hugh Venables © (cc-by-sa/2.0); High Street Photo: Ian Capper © (cc-by-sa/2.0); Beeston Regis Common Photo: Hugh Venables © (cc-by-sa/2.0); Footpath Beeston Common Photo: Hugh Venables © (cc-by-sa/2.0);