Mersea Island Circular

Mersea Island circular - East & West
13.40 miles (Long route)
2 miles (short route)
5 hours or 1 hour (see description)
Difficultly - 8/10 or 2/10 (see description)
Meet time 10.15 am
Start time 10.30 am
Meet point - at the beach end of Lower Kingsland Road by the bench.
Parking - Free parking on Lower Kingsland Road.

Description (Short route)
The famous pastel coloured huts are around half hour into the walk so you are welcome to join us to this point. We will spend 15 mins here taking photos.
The return walk will be unguided but it's a simple, straight walk along the beach.

Description (Long route)
The long route is for confident, regular hikers. This route has limited exit points. The first opportunity to cut the walk short and return to the beginning is at mile 9 but this is around 2 miles from the start so doesn't shave too much off the whole route. That's why it is imperative that you have completed 13mile walks before with no issues. If in doubt, please attend one of our shorter hikes.

We will be walking on the beach, on muddy paths and, at one point, a busy main road. We will go past the famous pastel-coloured beach huts, go through the smallest wood in the world, and see almost every sea view that Mersea has to offer!

There is an area where a wooden walking bridge has collapsed. At this point we may need to help others to negotiate a muddy ditch. Or you can bring walking poles.

I will have a first aid kit for the groups protection. However, attendees must be self-sufficient and take full responsibility for their own safety. We will never leave anyone behind.

This event will be postpned if it is forcast to rain. At the time of writing, it will be dry with intermittent cloud.

You must bring the following -

Food - snacks plus lunch.
Water.
Hiking or trail boots/shoes.
(Packable) rain jacket.
Emergancy kit inc. whistle + emergency blanket.
Phone, power bank + lead
Warm layering system - base layer, fleece, jacket, gloves, hat etc.
Headtorch.
Wild loo kit - tissues and sealable bags. Nature is beautiful but let's leave no trace ;)

Recommended non-essential items to bring -

A thermos of your favourite hot beverage.

Consider installing the following apps on your phone -
Strava
what3words
maps.me. (Download the area map for Mersea in maps.me. ahead of the event)

Sit pad.

Sunglasses.

Spare pair socks.

Red clip-on light in case we are doing any road sections at dusk.

Please note.
Dogs and children are welcome on the short route but not appropriate for the long one.

We always start the route on time. If you are late, please refer to the map I have uploaded if you want to catch us up.

There are pubs/restaurants/cafes towards the end of the journey if people want to end the walk with a rest/eat/drink/socialise. In that case, allow 6 hrs for this event. Just bare in mind that high tide is at 5pm. Aim to start driving off the island at 4.15pm unless you are happy to stay until past 5.30pm.

If you have any questions, please contact Joanne Wood, the event organiser. We look forward to seeing you!