Essex Way

The Essex Way is widely described as being 81 miles long, along footpaths and roads in Essex, England, although we have 133km/82.6miles of it mapped in OSM. This discrepancy is probably down to diversions since the route was first opened, such as near Wrabness where coastal erosion has led to footpaths being diverted. The trail starts in Epping in the south-west crosses Dedham Vale and Constable country to finish at the port of Harwich on the Stour estuary. It leads you through ancient woodlands, open farmland, tree-lined river valleys and leafy green lanes, unveiling historic towns and villages along the way.

The Essex Way was conceived after a competition organised by the Campaign to Protect Rural England in 1972, and the original dark green CPRE Essex Way plaques can still be seen on some parts of the route. However, these signs have been mostly superseded by Essex County Council plaques displaying two red poppies on a white disc.

Progress

The following table is based on the sections described on the BBC website as an easy way to break the way into sections that can be fairly easily walked and added to OSM. The Essex Way relation is 68615 68615