Section 1 of 6, Sandlings Walk
Heath Road to Melton
8.9 miles (14.3 km). About 3 hours, moderate.
Start: TM 198 452. Finish: TM 283 501. 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.
Warning: Diversion in place. Part of this route is closed or diverted for now. Paths across Dunwich Heath, which the Sandlings Walk crosses, have been closed since a wildfire on 29 July 2026; Suffolk County Council lists the closures until 19 February 2027, with no diversion. Discover Suffolk also says the Walk is closed through Goose Hill. Source: discoversuffolk.org.uk.
Up and down
About 50 m of climbing and 83 m of descent; highest point 36 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Heath Road.
- Bus stops
- Playford Road, 70 m from the start. Directions TM 197 452Gorselands, 120 m from the start. Directions TM 197 453Rushmere Heath, 120 m from the start. Directions TM 196 452
- Car parks
- Car park, 310 m from the start. Directions TM 197 449Car park, 400 m from the start. Directions TM 194 453Car park, 450 m from the start. Directions TM 193 454
Getting back
The section finishes at Melton. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Station
- Melton, 410 m from the finish. Directions TM 287 503
- Bus stops
- Coach And Horses, 360 m from the finish. Directions TM 280 502Railway Station, 420 m from the finish. Directions TM 286 504
Planning the Sandlings Walk
- Planning the whole trail: coastandheaths-nl.org.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: earth, rock and mud 36%, paved or flagged 24%, gravel and tracks 19%; the rest (21%) isn't recorded.
About 5% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 5 gates, 1 flight of steps.
No steep climbs: no kilometre gains more than about 9 m.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
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Something wrong or missing?
Tell us what to change about this section: a wrong distance, a moved start, a path that's closed.