'Walking is a popular recreational pursuit and the greenest form of transport available. Regular walking can help improve your health and we work in partnership with many other organisations to promote and encourage it ... Visit Essex is the official tourism site covering the county. The section Walk Essex provides maps and information on five circular routes taking you through some of the county's most attractive towns, villages and countryside.'

'A website resource that provides free information on places, walks and recreational opportunities with disabled access for each of the counties of England and Wales.'

Accessible Countryside for Everyone - ACE

'An established walking group for people typically in their 20′s, 30′s and 40′s. We have walks every weekend, as well as mid week evening walks between Spring and Autumn, around the Essex countryside.'

'If you look in our calendar, you will see some of the events organized by our Group. Only members of the LDWA are automatically allowed to participate in our social walks but, by arrangement, we welcome visitors who are not members. As our name implies, we cover substantial distances on our walks and maintain a brisk pace across country using footpaths that may not be as well maintained as we would wish.'

'Essex Area Ramblers has nearly 5000 members divided into 19 Groups. These Groups also provide programmes of led walks which are open to all their members. Members can also join walks organised by Ramblers Groups across Britain all at no charge.'

'The Lee Valley offers all kinds of walking in Hertfordshire, Essex and London. There are 26 miles of riverside trails to enjoy and quiet, car-free walking routes through nature reserves and peaceful urban spaces ...'

Lee Valley Regional Park Authority

'18 months ago a small team of volunteers were set up to promote walking throughout the Thames Chase Community Forest. Professionally produced walking guides were created and are available to download or pick up from the Thames Chase Visitor Centre. The guides include a sketch map, step-by-step walking guides and notes on the history and ecology of the walking area.'

The Thames Chase Trust

'Our five maps illustrate circular routes meandering through some of the county's most beautiful rural areas and passing through many of its charming villages and towns. Each route has details on the area, the visitor attractions as well as listings of quality assured accommodation, should you wish to stay longer, and places to eat.'

The Walk 'follows the Cam valley to Saffron Walden, crossing into the Pant river valley and then near Wimbish to the river Chelmer valley that it follows south via Thaxted and Great Dunmow to Chelmsford. Here the Chelmer turns east, joining the Blackwater (Panta in Roman times) to reach the head of the Blackwater estuary at Maldon, where the site of the battle is finally reached ... Links include West Anglian Way / Fen Rivers Way and Essex Way, Icknield Way Path and Centenary Circle (of Chelmsford)'.

'It is likely that the Forum will often be discussing contentious issues and that their advice will guide policies and actions of the County Council. Therefore, it is vital that the membership of the forum represents a wide range of interests and is balanced between the wish to increase access and the need to protect the landscape and its economic use ... We're looking for new members to join us, please contact the Secretary for more information.'

'This is an ECC-funded community-based scheme that enables local volunteers to look after and/or promote their local Public Right of Way network. More information is contained in the P3 manual. If you want to volunteer, the Public Rights of Way and Localism Officer will be able to put you in touch with an existing local group, or help you start up your own group.'

'A series of walks in the Essex countryside accessible via public transport.'

Note 'As I have now moved to Dorset, it is unlikely that the overall number of walks will increase, although I will still try to make any necessary changes to the existing walks as they are fed through to me.'

Graham Jones

The interactive Map of Public Rights of Way 'is for general purposes only. It is not the statutory Definitive Map which is held at County Hall. District, borough, town and parish councils must also keep copies for their particular areas ... In law the Definitive Map provides conclusive evidence of the existence of any Public Rights of Way shown on it. This interactive map does not'.

'A free site listing rural walks in Essex countryside ... All these walks are on public footpaths, permissive paths or other land open to the public, so you never have to worry about trespassing.'

'Path stretching frm Epping to Harwich ... You can walk it in stages, or make a holiday of it staying in accommodation along the way ... Along the way there are waymarks posts to help you.'

'Designed ... to provide a lasting legacy for the 2012 Olympic Games. The route starts near the Hadleigh Mountain Bike Centre and makes a meandering route across some of the most beautiful parts of Essex to the White Water Centre near Waltham Abbey. From here the route heads south to Stratford and the main Olympic Stadium.' However, note that the description of this Walk seems to have been removed from the Essex Area Website - although it is still listed in the 'Library' of the South East Essex Ramblers.

Ramblers - Essex Area

Hadleigh to Stratford Legacy Walk [GPS Cycle & Walking Routes]

'Runs in a figure of eight between Harlow and Cambridge with the intersection of the two loops by Newport.' Tim actually describes the Walk in seventeen stages starting from Roydon.

Harcamlow Way [Trailman] | Harcamlow Way [GPS Cycle & Walking Routes]

'The Lee Valley offers all kinds of walking in Hertfordshire, Essex and London. There are 26 miles of riverside trails to enjoy and quiet, car-free walking routes through nature reserves and peaceful urban spaces. Whether you fancy a gentle family stroll, a guided walk or a lengthy hike, the Lee Valley fits the bill. Many paths are surfaced for all-weather walking and easy pushchair or wheelchair use, and with an abundance of wildlife habitats and heritage sites there’s always plenty to see and do.'

Lee Valley Regional Park Authority

'Long distance footpath just over 71 miles in length stretching all the way from Southend-on-Sea in the south east of the county to Saffron Walden in the north west.'

Essex Walks

'Walk meandering through the countryside of Essex, from Chipping Ongar to the ancient chapel of St Peter-on-the-Wall at Bradwell on Sea.'

'Explore the 29 mile (46.6km) Thames Estuary Path through the fascinating South Essex Marshes, from Tilbury Town all the way to Leigh-on-Sea. Passing through an industrial and settled beautiful landscape with a wealth of Green Heritage - history and biodiversity ... The path is easily accessible by train, linking 6 local train stations on one of the most attractive railway lines in the country (London Fenchurch to Shoeburyness Line). The path is clearly signed and waymarked along the length with a new distinctive logo.'

MaxiGreen

'Tales of walking the coastline of Essex and Suffolk, containing low cant phrases and loose, unconnected, slipshod allusions ...'

silvermud

''Book describes 50 different walks in every part of Essex and east London, many easily accessible by train or tube.'

Wild Essex

Walk Wild Essex Tony Gunton (Lopinga Books, 2011)