With just under 2 weeks to go till the South Downs Way walk I thought I had better test out my knee which I have had braced since it became painful. I decided I wanted a fairly flat route to ease the knee back in so chose the Coastal Path from Leigh on Sea to Pitsea.
The first part of this I have done many times before and is a lovely walk alongside the creek, frequented by a few runners and dog walkers but is never packed.
It is the second part of this walk that I have never done before but I knew where the path headed off beside Benfleet Station.
As soon as you step onto this path you know it is one which is not frequently walked by people. Slightly overgrown and heading through a few woods alongside the creek and rail track before it breaks out into a field.
Here you have to guess which way to go. Eventually finding the path it is clear that this part was going to be difficult. Nettles and brambles lined the path and the further I walked the more overgrown it got, until I was wading through the nettles waist high. There is a motocross track next to the ‘path’ so I crossed onto this and walked down in until the normal path became more accessible. The path continues under the A130 and out into the marshes where you eventually meet a road heading to Bowers Gifford.
This passes the wonderful St Margaret’s Church which I often see when travelling back down the Fenchurch line. Sadly, it was all locked up, being out in the middle of nowhere I imagine it has had a few unwanted visitors before.
Anyway back to the path. This continues alongside the rail track on the edge of a field. In fact you pass through at least 3 or 4 fields before you approach the estate marking the edge of Pitsea.
It is here that you get your final taste of a path which is not often used. Overgrown again, full of flies and the such sandwiched between the rail track and the estate. After about 10 minutes of this
you eventually emerge into daylight a short stroll away from the station.
I wouldn’t say it was the best of walks and not one I would do again that’s for sure. The next stretch to Tilbury sounds more interesting so I shall have a go at that later this year.
Distance: 7 miles
Time: 2 hours 15 mins
Essex Man Does Walking 
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