Section 1 of 3, Colchester Orbital
High Woods Country Park to Colchester
5.9 miles (9.4 km). About 2 hours, easy.
Start: TM 029 269. Finish: TL 987 256. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Up and down
About 70 m of climbing and 89 m of descent; highest point 49 m.
Getting there
The section starts at High Woods Country Park.
- Bus stops
- Bus stop, 450 m from the start. Directions TM 026 273Bus stop, 630 m from the start. Directions TM 028 275Welshwood Park, 710 m from the start. Directions TM 023 267
- Car parks
- Car park, 830 m from the start. Directions TM 030 261Car park, 850 m from the start. Directions TM 030 261Car park, 990 m from the start. Directions TM 030 279
Getting back
The section finishes at Colchester. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Station
- Colchester, 850 m from the finish. Directions TL 990 264
- Bus stops
- St. Helena School, 150 m from the finish. Directions TL 988 257Middleborough, 570 m from the finish. Directions TL 993 255Causton Road, 600 m from the finish. Directions TL 993 257
Planning the Colchester Orbital
- Planning the whole trail: walkcolchester.org.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 40%, earth, rock and mud 12%, gravel and tracks 6%; the rest (42%) isn't recorded.
About 20% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 1 gate, 1 stream crossing, 1 flight of steps.
Steepest climb: about 28 m in a kilometre (1 in 36), starting 2.3 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
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