14 Peaks Of Norfolk
Norfolk’s toughest one day walking challenge — 14 peaks, 23.7 miles and 820m of climbing along the stunning Norfolk coast.
The Route
The circuit begins and ends in the welcoming seaside town of Sheringham, where parking is plentiful and both rail and bus services make reaching the start refreshingly straightforward. There is no shortage of cafés, pubs or shops for a hearty breakfast before setting out—or a well-earned meal when the day is done.
Distance: 23.8 miles (38.3 km) - Allow 8–10 hours, depending on your pace and the number of stops made to admire the views, or to simply catch your breath.
Elevation: 819m - A surprising figure for Norfolk. Every worthwhile rise has been gathered into a single journey, proving that even England's flattest county can make walkers work for their reward.
Multiple places along the way for food, drinks and resting weary legs. These include Weybourne, Kelling Heath & Cromer.
Those wishing to tackle the route in two outings will find an ideal halfway point after Peak 7, where convenient transport links allow for an easy return and a straightforward continuation on another day.
The route keeps to quiet paths and tracks wherever possible. Some road walking is unavoidable, particularly around Cromer, but it has been kept to the minimum that the landscape allows.
14 Peaks Of Norfolk
The Peaks
1. Skelding Hill (49m)
The smallest of the fourteen wastes no time in making an impression. A Coastguard lookout crowns the summit, from where the coast stretches west towards Wells on a clear day. Its northern face falls sharply to the sea, while ahead the cliff-top path traces the long walk towards Muckleburgh Hill. Modest in stature, generous in scenery.
2. Muckleburgh Hill (68m)
Perhaps the most perfectly shaped hill of the collection, Muckleburgh rises from quiet woodland and grassy slopes to a broad summit with uninterrupted views in every direction. A bench invites a pause, while the nearby military museum occasionally reminds visitors that tanks still rumble across this landscape. Highland cattle are sometimes found grazing on its lower slopes, adding an unexpected Highland touch to Norfolk.
3. Telegraph Hill (78m)
Hidden amongst pines and heather, Telegraph Hill keeps its summit to itself. The trig point rewards a steady climb, though the trees are reluctant to surrender many views, particularly in summer. It is perhaps the least dramatic of the fourteen, but those seeking peace rather than panoramas will find it here.
4. Kelling Heath (69m)
More a viewpoint, this gentle rise looks north across the heath towards the sea. The nearby holiday park brings life to the area, with a welcome café and pub for those in need of refreshment. It is rarely a lonely place, but the views more than justify its popularity.
5. Sheringham Park Ridge (66m)
Recent woodland clearance has opened this ridge into one of the walk's finest viewpoints. From here the rolling parkland, the coastline and the North Norfolk Railway combine into a memorable scene, particularly if a steam train happens to whistle its way through the valley below. A pleasant place to linger over lunch.
6. Sheringham Park Gazebo (76m)
Reached by a steady climb through mature woodland, the wooden gazebo rises above the treetops to reveal one of the finest panoramas of the entire circuit. Sea, woodland and countryside meet in every direction. It is rarely a lonely spot, but few visitors seem in a hurry to leave. (The tower occasionally closes during high winds.)
7. Sheringham Wood Viewpoint (79m)
A quieter summit hidden amongst the woodland of Sheringham Park. In spring the rhododendrons fill the surrounding slopes with colour, while carefully placed gaps in the trees reveal glimpses of sea beyond the parkland. This marks the halfway point, with an easy return to Sheringham available for those completing the route over two days.
8. Pretty Corner (102m)
The second-highest point in Norfolk lies concealed beneath tall woodland rather than standing proudly above it. Boardwalks lead gently upwards through the forest to carved wooden benches marking the summit. There are few distant views, but the atmosphere beneath the trees provides its own reward.
9. Stone Hill (91m)
A short but determined climb through woodland suddenly gives way to open skies. A flint-clad stone column marks the viewpoint, where Sheringham spreads below and Beeston Bump waits on the horizon as the day's final challenge. Like many hills along the Cromer Ridge, the northern slope falls steeply towards the sea.
10. Beacon Hill (105m)
The highest ground in Norfolk arrives almost without ceremony, tucked amongst the rolling woodland of Roman Camp. There are grander viewpoints elsewhere, yet standing on the county's highest point carries a quiet satisfaction all of its own. Sometimes the significance of a place outweighs its appearance.
11. Incleborough Hill (79m)
One of the true highlights of the route. Heather-covered slopes emerge from the woodland before dropping away towards the coast, turning a rich purple in late summer. Positioned perfectly between Sheringham and Cromer, the views are wide, peaceful and surprisingly dramatic by Norfolk standards. Sunset lingers here particularly well.
12. Howard's Hill (57m)
Often overlooked beside its more famous neighbours, Howard's Hill rises gently on the western edge of Cromer. An old pillbox crowns the summit, offering a reminder of the coastline's wartime past and rewarding the short climb with pleasant views back towards the sea.
13. Cromer Lighthouse (75m)
The easternmost summit feels reassuringly distant from the day's starting point. The white lighthouse commands the headland, while woodland paths nearby reveal unexpected viewpoints across Cromer and the coastline beyond. From here, Beeston Bump can be seen waiting patiently across the town as the final destination draws closer.
14. Beeston Bump (63m)
No hill in Norfolk is more recognisable. Rising sharply from the coastline, its grassy summit is reached by steep paths from either direction before opening into magnificent views across sea and countryside. A trig point marks the top, where walkers, locals and visitors gather throughout the year. It is a fitting conclusion to the journey—the last summit before the gentle stroll back into Sheringham, completing one of Norfolk's most rewarding days on foot.
