Gipping Valley River Path
27 km / 17 miles
The River Gipping is a river of contrasts, from quiet backwaters to industrial dockland. A walk along its banks will reveal an abundance of plants, birds, fish and insects associated with fresh water. You will also encounter historic features including old watermills and navigation locks. Park in the Stowmarket railway station pay and display car park. In front of the railway station is the Pickerel Bridge and Old Maltings; from here the 17 mile river path meanders south to Ipswich, through Needham Market, from where return trains can be caught.
In 1793 200 men built 16 locks along the River Gipping. These improvements allowed barges to travel 17 miles to Ipswich, and industries in Stowmarket developed rapidly. The Gipping Valley River Path follows the route of the old tow path to Ipswich. The waterside area is still an important industrial location. You will pass by ICI Paints, one of the world's major paint producing plants.
Details:
| Path Type: | Paths Marked on OS mapping | |
| Waymark: | Waterwheel logo | |
| Attributes: | River; Canal; Heritage; Industrial History | |
| Start: | TM050588 - Stowmarket, Suffolk  |
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| Finish: | TM163439 - Ipswich, Suffolk |
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| Web Sites: | Suffolk CC | |
| River Gipping Trust |
Publications, Badges and Certificates:
| Leaflets: | Gipping Valley River Path (River Gipping Trust - 2011) |
Maps: |
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| Purchase Ordnance Survey Maps (path is named on OS maps): | |
| OS Landranger: | 155, 169 |
| OS Explorer: | 197, 211 |
| OS Explorer Active: | 197, 211 |
Connected Paths:
| Paths Marked on OS mapping: | Mid Suffolk Footpath; Stour and Orwell Walk |
| Other Paths: | East Suffolk Line Walks; Suffolk Way |
Downloads:
| GPS Exchange Format Route File: | Gipping Valley River Path GPX Exchange Format Route File | Login to Download (Members Only) |
| Leaflet - PDF: | Gipping Valley River Path Walk 1 | Login to Download (Members Only) |
| Leaflet - PDF: | Gipping Valley River Path Walk 2 | Login to Download (Members Only) |
| MemoryMap Route file: | Gipping Valley River Path Memory Map Route File | Login to Download (Members Only) |
| Tracklogs Route file: | Gipping Valley River Path Tracklogs Route file | Login to Download (Members Only) |
Route Profile:
| 26.1 Km (16.2 miles) 113 m (371 ft) ascent 30 m (98 ft) maximum height |
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