| Essex Way | |
|---|---|
 Boats on the East Anglian Stour with the church of Dedham in the background, John Constable, c. 1811. This view lies near the Way. | |
| Length | 130 km (81 mi) |
| Location | Essex, England |
| Designation | UK National Trail |
| Trailheads | Epping 51°41′35″N 0°06′54″E / 51.6931°N 0.1151°E Harwich 51°56′39″N 1°17′20″E / 51.9443°N 1.2889°E |
| Use | Hiking, Trail running |
The Essex Way is a waymarked long-distance footpath 81 miles (130 km) long, along footpaths and roads in Essex, England.
The trail starts in Epping in the southwest, crosses Dedham Vale and Constable country to finish at the port of Harwich on the Stour estuary.
It leads through ancient woodlands, open farmland, tree-lined river valleys and leafy green lanes, unveiling historic towns and villages along the way.[1]
The route is waymarked by Essex Way plaques and direction arrows. The original CPRE signs were dark green, but most of these have now been replaced with Essex County Council plaques depicting two poppies on a white background. These are attached to fingerposts, stiles, gates, footbridges and posts. The waymarks, together with the maps in the guidebook, make the walk easy to follow. The guidebook illustrates points of interest along the way and includes an accommodation guide for the whole route.
