This pleasant walk starts beside the River Bure then heads north to Tunstead along good tracks, paths and quiet country lanes. It visits the tiny hamlets of Sco Ruston, Great Hautbois and St James.

COLTISHALL AND TUNSTEAD

Start: Car park in Coltishall by the river, off the B1354, adjacent to the Kings Head pub

Map: Explorer OL 40 TG 277198

Distance: 7.5miles (or 5.75miles)

Public Transport: Coltishall is on bus routes from Norwich and North Walsham

Timetables: 0871 2002233, travelineeastanglia.co.uk

This pleasant walk, suggested by Tony Smith, starts beside the River Bure then heads north to Tunstead along good tracks, paths and quiet country lanes. It visits the tiny hamlets of Sco Ruston, Great Hautbois and St James.

Part of the return leg is along the Bure Valley Path beside the narrow gauge railway line. There is a shorter option (which cuts out Tunstead) if required.

For refreshment try the Kings Head and The Rising Sun public houses both sit beside the car park whilst The Olive Branch at Tunstead is on the full route.

? From the car park facing the river, go left along the green beside the river, past the boat house and then, on approaching the wall ahead, bear left to the lane. Turn right along the lane (Anchor Street) and then turn left at the junction up to the main road. Turn right for a few paces and then left into Belaugh Green Lane. When the lane bends right continue ahead into a signed hedged track, then continue with a hedge on the right and a field on the left, and eventually bend left with the track to reach another lane. Turn right along the lane, ignore a narrow lane on the right and keep ahead over the railway bridge.

? For the short walk: After about two hundred metres, turn left into a grassy track and follow it for nearly half a mile to reach a lane at a corner, then continue as described below.

? For the full walk: Continue along the lane and, after it bends right and goes past a hard-standing on the right, turn left into a signed footpath. At the end of the field go ahead into the next field and turn right at the marker post. Go left at the corner of the field and then, about three quarters of the way along this side, turn right at a marker post through the hedge and go ahead across a field to reach Market Street in Tunstead.

? Turn left along the street and go past The Olive Branch. Then, opposite farm buildings, turn left into a wide signed track. Follow this track round to the right and, when the earth track bends left, go into a grassy path with a tall hedge on the right. Go rightwards over a stile then continue leftwards down the length of the meadow. Go over another stile and continue along the side of this field. On meeting a crossing track, turn right to reach a lane at a corner.

? Both walks: Go rightwards along the lane and, towards its end, look out for the ivy-covered remains of St Michaels's Church across the field. On meeting the main road (B1150), turn right along the wide verge for about 75m and then cross the road carefully into the Sco Ruston Farm service road and go along it with the main road on the right. Then continue for a short distance along the narrow verge to a junction with a lane on the right.

? Here turn left into a green track. Soon follow the track to the left and then round a wide right curve to reach a lane.Turn left then, after the lane bends left, go right down steps and on a signed path across a field. (This path was not reinstated but make for the ash tree and fingerpost ahead). Go out into a road at a junction. Go across the grass triangle into the lane opposite. Bear left when Frogge Lane comes in from the right and keep ahead at the next junction past the farm buildings to a railway bridge. Go under the bridge and turn left onto Great Hautbois Common.

? Turn left and go up the steps to reach the Bure Valley Railway track. Turn right beside the railway line. Continue on the path beside the line, going over or under four bridges and past Coltishall Station then, just before the fifth bridge, go down the steps to the lane. Turn right and go along the lane through the pleasant hamlet of St James, ignoring another lane on the right (The Hill). When the lane turns left, go ahead and immediately take the left of two footpaths (the one to the left of the metal gate). Follow this narrow path back to the road in Coltishall. Turn left for a few paces back to the start.

JOIN THE RAMBLERS

The Ramblers is Britain's walking charity which has been working to encourage more people to take up walking and to safeguard footpaths and the countryside for 75 years.

Whether you're an old hand or a complete beginner, the organisation can help you get the best out of walking through its network of local groups.

The Norwich Group has been established for more than 35 years and was the first group in the Norfolk Area of the Ramblers Association. Non-members are welcome to join all walks in national festivals and some special events and programmes. Most regular walks are intended for Ramblers members, but you are welcome to attend two or three walks on a try-out basis.

t For more information about the Ramblers' Association call 01508 538654 or visit: www.ramblers.org.uk