The best beautiful autumn walks in Suffolk
England in autumn is truly a sight to behold, and nowhere else showcases this as well as Suffolk. With so much countryside to turn crisp and golden, it’s no wonder this county is so popular for those looking for the perfect autumn holiday! And what better way to enjoy the scenery than with a good walk?
From circular walks in Suffolk heathland to woodland walks through towering pines, this coastal county has everything you need for a refreshing autumnal walk. So, if you’re looking for inspiration and places to walk in Suffolk this autumn, let us help you with our autumn walks guide.
Where to go for an autumn walk in Suffolk
We’ve chosen just three areas of Suffolk that boast some incredible walking trails, but trust us when we say that the entirety of Suffolk has something worth discovering on foot.
Dunwich Heath
Dunwich Heath is a beautiful area just by the Suffolk coast, rich in wildlife, plant life, and World War II history. Covered in wild heathland and towering woodland, this area provides the perfect autumnal walking spot as the leaves burst into reds and oranges. Take a stroll and visit the tea-room for a well-deserved hot drink.
There are four circular walks within Dunwich Heath, as well as a ‘woof walk’ where dogs can be let off the lead all year round. For maps of these routes, visit the National Trust website for Dunwich Heath, where you’ll find diagrams and step-by-step directions for each trail.
Grey trail – For a quick walk, try the grey trail, a 1-mile route that offers views of the heath. It will take you through sunlight-dappled patches of woodland and along Docwra’s Ditch, dug by the army in 1968. Dogs must be kept on leads between 1 March and 31 August (bird breeding season).
Pink trail – This slightly longer 2-mile ramble is the best way to experience the heath, still flowering with vibrant purple heather in September and into October. Dogs must be kept on leads between 1 March and 31 August (bird breeding season).
Orange trail – Perhaps the most popular Dunwich Heath trail, this 3-mile route takes you through the heathland, woodland, and grassland, giving you a taste of everything the heath has to offer. Dogs must be kept on leads between 1 March and 31 August (bird breeding season), except for the section of the trail that overlaps with the woof walk.
Wartime trail – This walk takes you back in time, hitting 15 points of historical interest from Dunwich Heath’s time as a militarised zone. 2.75 miles long, the route passes through and by key areas from the site’s army training and defence past. This trail is a must for history buffs.
Woof walk – This 2-mile path is the chance for your pup to be off-lead, even during bird breeding season. This route starts north of Dunwich Heath’s entrance, follows the orange trail up and around Mount Pleasant Fields, then runs along the path between the fields and the heathland.
Rendlesham Forest
This stunning forest, famous for a UFO sighting in 1980, truly shines in autumn as the leaves turn and fall to crunch underfoot. You’ll be surrounded by incredible autumn colours and evergreen trees, no matter which of the trails you choose to follow, and the outdoor play area offers plenty of entertainment for kids. At the weekends, you’ll typically find Tintos Cafe in the car park, a coffee trailer boasting drinks and treats, including luxury hot chocolates. Dogs must be kept under control at all times in the forest. For trail maps, make sure to visit Rendleshem Forest’s page on the Forestry England website.
Easy-access trail – As the name suggests, this is a very easy trail for anyone looking for or requiring a much shorter walk. Only 0.75 miles (1.2km) long and across flat terrain, this wooded walk is accessible to all.
Phoenix trail – This 3-mile (5km) walk takes you through heathland, wetland, and conifer plantations, truly showcasing the beauty of the forest. It starts in the central hub of the forest, where you’ll find toilets and the forest office, and the trail itself passes a beautiful picnic area.
UFO trail – This exciting 3-mile (5km) walk is perfect for the family, taking you through tall trees to the old US air base, where the mysterious triangle shape and flashing lights were seen low in the sky on Boxing Day and again two days later. The walk takes you through key points of the tale, including the landing site of the mystery object, where today you’ll find a UFO sculpture for fun family photo opportunities.
Carlton Marshes
This gorgeous nature reserve is 1,000 acres of wilderness in the Broads National Park just waiting to be explored during autumn. A stroll through this site offers you grazing marsh, fens, peat pools, and more, bursting with wildlife, including beautiful British birds for the bird-spotters. If you head to the marshes in early autumn, you may see cattle on your walks, which are essential for wetland habitat management and encouraging biodiversity. All trails start and end at the Carlton Marshes visitor centre and play area. Dogs must be kept on a short lead across the entire site. To look at your routes ahead of time, take a look at the Carlton Marshes trail map.
Sprat’s Water trail – This is a short and sweet circular walk at 0.75 miles (1.2km) which passes by the bird watching tower and round water platform. It takes around half an hour on average to walk.
Marsh Lanes trail – This longer circular marsh walk is 2.25 miles (3.6km) and takes you by the bird watching tower and the round water platform, perfect for getting a good walk in at around an hour and 15 minutes to complete.
Share Marsh trail – This trail takes you by the bird watching tower, the round water platform, and the lookout hut, which is the perfect spot for getting a lucky peek at the Chinese water deer that live in the wetlands. This trail is 1.75 miles (2.8km) long and takes an hour to complete.
Peto’s Marsh trail – The longest trail in Carlton Marshes, this walk can be done in two ways, depending on what you’d like to see and how far you’d like to go. If you’d rather have a simple circular walk, then you can stroll 2.5 miles (4km) and pass the tower, the round water platform, the lookout hut, and the octagon water platform. To extend the trail to 3.5 miles (5.6km), you can walk up to the north hide and back, passing the turnpike hide twice.
Where to stay in Suffolk in Autumn
Spending a day out in the stunning Suffolk countryside during the autumn months means chilly air, bracing breezes, and beautiful early sunsets. After a wonderful day like that, you’ll need a lovely Suffolk holiday home to rest and relax.
To stay near Dunwich Heath, consider The Ferns, a gorgeous, rustic cottage with original features and plenty of bright and airy space. It sleeps eight guests across four bedrooms, making it perfect for big and small families alike.
To stay near Rendlesham Forest, we recommend the picturesque Orford village or the bustling Woodbridge market town. Take a look at charming red brick Anchor Cottage in Orford that sleeps five across three bedrooms, or the unbelievably beautiful Old Granary Cottage in Woodbridge, with two bedrooms sleeping four guests.
To stay near Carlton Marshes, we recommend 4 Sea View Walk in Pakefield, which sits less than 100 yards from the beach! This modern, recently renovated home is bright and airy, with three bedrooms that sleep six guests.
We have so many beautiful holiday rentals to choose from, so take a look through and find the home that suits you and your needs. Suffolk boasts some of the country’s most stunning natural areas of beauty, meaning you have endless Suffolk walking trails just waiting to be explored, no matter where you stay.
