Costal Paths & Two Tree Island Adventure | Free Hike 24km (15mi)

Grade 🥾🥾 Level 2/5
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📖SUMMARY:
24km (15mi) | Ascent: 254m | Max Elevation: 77m
🚊Train: Return Ticket London Fenchurch Street ⇆ Benfleet
⛳️ Meeting Point: 2 Options
1- London Fenchurch Street Train station - Upper concourse | 09:00 (Train is at 09:18)
2- Pitsea outside train station | 10:00
⚠️This is a Point-to-Point (not circular) Hike
🏁Hike start: Pitsea train station | 10:05
🔚Hike finish: Benfleet | approx. ~17:00
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📕ABOUT:
This Essex coastal classic takes us from Pitsea to Benfleet, shifting from green inland paths to big Thames Estuary views. We will climb into Hadleigh Castle Country Park for the dramatic medieval ruins and panoramas then drop down to Leigh-on-Sea for a relaxed seaside lunch. After that, we follow creeks and saltmarsh trails through the estuary landscape, passing Two Tree Island, a peaceful haven of lagoons and birdlife before finishing at Benfleet for trains back to London.
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⭐️HIGHLIGHTS:

• Big Thames Estuary panoramas (massive skies, open water)
• Two Tree Island 🦆. A beautiful RSPB style nature spot with brilliant birdlife and marsh views
• Hadleigh Castle Country Park + castle ruins viewpoint
• Coastal tracks, creeks, sea air, and lots of “wow, this is still Essex?!” moments

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💷COST: Free
This hike is completely free to join but participants need to purchase their own transport tickets.
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️🚊TRAIN TICKET INFORMATION:
I would recommend you get:
🎟️Super Off-Peak Return | London Fenchurch Street ⇆ Benfleet (Direct) *via Pitsea with a Network Railcard is £12.50 (instead of £18.80).

• ➡️Outbound: London Fenchurch Street 09:18 → 09:59 Pitsea
• ⬅️Inbound: Benfleet any Off-Peak time → London

💡If you’d like to join other hikers using a Network Railcard, please arrive earlier so we can organise small groups. Note that each card can cover up to 4 people.
Visit National Rail for details
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🎒WHAT TO BRING:

• 1-2L Water
• Packed lunch and snacks
• Comfortable walking/hiking shoes
• Weather-appropriate clothing (layers, waterproofs, hat, sunscreen)
• Optional: trekking poles, camera

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✅WHO CAN JOIN:
• ‍‍ Our hikes are open to adults aged 21 and over.
• For safety reasons, we’re not able to include children.
• We love animals, but pets (including dogs) can’t join our
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🚨RSVP & ATTENDANCE:
RSVP only if you plan to attend. Please cancel as early as possible if you can no longer make it so others can join. A no-show means you RSVPed but did not attend or cancelled just before or after the start time. Repeated no-shows or late cancellations without a valid reason may lead to removal. Reliable regulars who end up on a waitlist may message the host for priority consideration.
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☯️STAYING TOGETHER:
A dedicated back marker is not always present, so please keep others in sight and avoid moving too far ahead or falling too far behind. Faster walkers should wait at junctions. The hike leader will pause at key points to regroup and reduce the chance of anyone becoming separated from the group.
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⚠️ DISCLAIMER:
By joining, you confirm that you have read and accepted the group policy on the About page. You are responsible for your own safety, and neither the host nor the group can be held liable for injury, loss, or damage.