Circular Walk around Hickling

This walk involves a walk around the Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Hickling Nature Reserve. It follows a public footpath down to the Reserve and allows the walker(s) to explore the reedbeds and open views form this lovely place.

This walk involves a walk around the Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Hickling Nature Reserve. It follows a public footpath down to the Reserve and allows the walker(s) to explore the reedbeds and open views form this lovely place. There is an entry fee of about £4.50 for the reserve, but inside you will find three bird hides, two viewing screens and a lookout tower with some of the best views available of Hickling Broads – the largest Broads in Norfolk.

The reserve is mainly home to Marsh Harriers, Oyster Catchers, Bitterns, Avocets, Lapwings and many more birds, butterflies and dragonflies. The return part of the walk simply follows Stubb Road back to the Staithe but keep an eye out to the skies as Kestrels are frequently seen around this area.

1) Starting off by the public toilets at Hickling Staithe, head onto the road and turn right to follow it North East. After about 300m you will notice a public footpath on the right taking you past Hill Common – this is signposted as Hickling Nature Reserve. Turn right here and follow this trackway for about 1Km (0.6m) where you will arrive at Willow Farm. Follow the signs through the farm which take you left, and then right to pick up a path that heads towards the Nature Reserve. Continue along the field edge until you arrive at the Visitor Centre at NWT Hickling Nature Reserve.

2) After taking a good look around the Nature Reserve, head back to the Visitor Centre, Head out of the car park and to the road round and follow it past the first house on the left and FAITH Animal Rescue. After about 230m follow the road round to the left. Follow Stubb Road for about 1.8km (1.1 miles) up to the road junction.

3) Turn left and follow this road for 700m where you will be back at Hickling Staithe, just by the Pleasureboat Inn.

The Pleasureboat Inn is the only pub visited on this walk and is open throughout the day for food and drinks.

Route and photographs supplied by Joe Jackson.