Walking the Suffolk Coastal Path - Snape - Aldeburgh (Walk 9)

Wednesday 14th August - Distance 4 miles Route taken: Snape Maltings, River Alde, Snape Marshes, Snape Warren, Blackheath Marshes, A1094 (Time taken 2.15 hours)

Having had a break from my walks to holiday with my family and to fit in some photography I was looking forward to walking the path again. My daughter accompanied me on this walk, it was good to have some company.

We started from Snape Maltings. The Maltings are one of the world's leading center's of music as well as being an area of outstanding natural beauty. They sit beside the River Alde. We followed the Alde through Snape Marshes. This area is owned by Suffolk Wildlife Trust. 

It was warm and the breeze could be heard rustling through the reeds. We passed four Egrets as we walked along.  Apart from Ragwort most of the wild flowers had gone except the hedge Bindweed which was in full bloom.

From here we headed into Snape Warren where clearing of birch, pine and gorse has been taken place to recreate rare Suffolk Sandlings heathland with the help of Exmoor ponies and sheep.  We did see several Exmoor ponies. 

A buzzard appeared to be following the same route as us as we could hear it calling as we continued on our way heading into Blackheath Wood. Having checked we were going the right way we continued on through the woods.

It struck me as we walked that signs of autumn were already appearing. Bracken was losing its shiny green fronds and acorns were falling to the ground. Hazel leaves scattered the path while a squirrel scurried away to bury its treasure.

Bracken frond with snail trail

Although fungi can be found throughout the year they are often associated with autumn. The squirrel was back and this time he ran along a wire fencing and came to a stop to crack open a hazelnut to devour its contents.

Common Earthball

Blackheath Wood led into Hazelwood Common and then Hazelwood marshes. A boardwalk led through the marshes.

There was a mass of wild mint with its purple heads swaying which we could smell as we went passed.

There were some beautiful reflections in the water as the light shone through the foliage.

From here we headed down to Aldeburgh for a fish and chip lunch sitting on the beach with an ice cold drink.

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