Colchester to Hadleigh
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 34.28 mi
- Elevation gain
- 869 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Easy
- Elevation loss
- 869 ft
- Max elevation
- 179 ft
- TrailRank
-
38
3
- Min elevation
- -258 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 8 hours 3 minutes
- Coordinates
- 2392
- Uploaded
- March 27, 2012
- Recorded
- March 2012
near Colchester, England (United Kingdom)
Viewed 2914 times, downloaded 20 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
19/03/2012
The route follows the National Cycle Route 1 from Colchester to Hadleigh, on quiet road and lanes. There is only one bit of a busy road, Severalls Lane where the route crosses the A12 on a bridge. This is reached shortly after leaving Colchester at Highwoods.
The detour through Highwoods is strongly recommended as it is a safe and pleasant ride through popular unspoilt natural surroundings.
Either on the way out or the return, a short detour to Lagham Church should be made. A nice place to have a picnic or rest. The church has a shelter which is very useful in hot sun or ….... on a rainy day! Say hello to Jimmy, the resident cat.
After Stratford St Mary one of my favourite sections is the climb up a very narrow and quiet lane to reach a good viewpoint over the surrounding terrain. Take a breather here on the stretch of grassy bank beside the lane.
After this, our route follows another lane and then veers left at an old tree with a surrounding seat.
Cycle Route 1 used to turn right at the next junction but now proceed straight ahead as signposted to reach Hadleigh on quiet backroads eventually emerging beside a relaxing picnic area with tables and benches alongside the river.
On the way back to Colchester we took the former National Cycle Route from Hadleigh following a disused railway line, then through Raydon to join the actual Route again. This diversion is highly recommended. The former railway line is a very enjoyable cycle ride and there are frequently good views to be admired off to both sides when the surrounding fields drop away.
The route follows the National Cycle Route 1 from Colchester to Hadleigh, on quiet road and lanes. There is only one bit of a busy road, Severalls Lane where the route crosses the A12 on a bridge. This is reached shortly after leaving Colchester at Highwoods.
The detour through Highwoods is strongly recommended as it is a safe and pleasant ride through popular unspoilt natural surroundings.
Either on the way out or the return, a short detour to Lagham Church should be made. A nice place to have a picnic or rest. The church has a shelter which is very useful in hot sun or ….... on a rainy day! Say hello to Jimmy, the resident cat.
After Stratford St Mary one of my favourite sections is the climb up a very narrow and quiet lane to reach a good viewpoint over the surrounding terrain. Take a breather here on the stretch of grassy bank beside the lane.
After this, our route follows another lane and then veers left at an old tree with a surrounding seat.
Cycle Route 1 used to turn right at the next junction but now proceed straight ahead as signposted to reach Hadleigh on quiet backroads eventually emerging beside a relaxing picnic area with tables and benches alongside the river.
On the way back to Colchester we took the former National Cycle Route from Hadleigh following a disused railway line, then through Raydon to join the actual Route again. This diversion is highly recommended. The former railway line is a very enjoyable cycle ride and there are frequently good views to be admired off to both sides when the surrounding fields drop away.
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Information
Easy to follow
Scenery
Moderate
nice.