A delightful five mile walk over heaths, through woods, and beside farmland with magnificent views over the Alde Estuary between the village of Snape and the coastal town of Aldeburgh.

Until a few hundred years ago the village of Snape was far larger than Aldeburgh, perhaps the reason for the well trodden path which runs between the two. Called The Sailors Path it gave seaman access to Aldeburgh, then a centre for both local and offshore fishing, boat building and of course a certain amount of smuggling.

Officially the path begins on the beach at Aldeburgh and passes through RSPB North Warren, an area of grazing marshes, reedbeds, heathland and woodland. Thousands of wildfowl use the marshes in winter, while summer brings breeding bitterns, marsh harriers, nightjars, woodlarks and nightingales. Look out for the many species of butterflies and dragonflies. Over the old railway line and across the Leiston Road, the path goes across Aldeburgh's heathland golf course, past The Red House, once lived in by composer, Benjamin Britten and now housing his extensive musical library.

Having crossed the A1094 the path then runs parallel to the Alde Estuary from where you can get fantastic views of the estuary and the sea beyond. For those wanting a shorter walk there is a car park here allowing you to enjoy the walk in two stages.

Now the path travels across heathland and past Hazlewood Marshes, an area of 156 acres of undrained grazing marshes, amongst the most important for breeding wading birds including redshank, snipe and lapwing and wintering wildfowl such as white-fronted geese as well as marsh harrier, barn owl and avocet. The bird song in Spring is deafening!

The path continues through an area of mixed woodland, largely oak and birch, before reaching the open marshes - despite some arbitrary board walks this is definitely an area for 'wellies' except in the very driest weather. Footbridges take you over a series of drainage ditches and a meandering stream. A stile leads into a copse and thence onto an area of open parkland. Through Black Heath wood, much replanted after the devastating storms of the late 1980s, the path skirts pastureland before going through more ancient woodland.

As you emerge from the woods you get your first views of Iken Church on the far side of the estuary and passing across the open heathland Snape Maltings Concert Hall comes into view. The path emerges onto the back road into Snape village with its green and two pubs, The Golden Key and The Crown or if you prefer go over the bridge to the Snape Maltings with its teashop and The Plough and Sail pub.