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Gipping Valley River Path

Suffolk

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 15 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.


Details:

Path Type: Paths Marked on OS mapping
Waymark: Waterwheel logo
Attributes: Easy
Canal
River
Heritage
Industrial History
Start: TM050588 - Stowmarket, Suffolk View on StreetMap
Finish: TM163439 - Ipswich, Suffolk View on StreetMap
Web Sites: Annierak - Gipping Valley River Path [blog] Stephen and Lucy Dawson - Gipping Valley River Path [blog] Gipping Valley River Walk [YouTube video]

Publications, Badges and Certificates:

External download Gipping Valley River Path Walk 1 - Ipswich to Needham Market  (River Gipping Trust  - 2018 ) Download
External download Gipping Valley River Path Walk 2 - Needham Market to Stowmarket  (River Gipping Trust  - 2018 ) Download

Maps:

You can use the interactive controls to zoom in and out and to move around the map, or click on a path or a marker for more info.(interactive map help)

Show Connected Path Outlines
Paths Marked on OS mapping
Other Paths
Anytime Challenges

Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2016.
© OpenStreetMap contributors under Open Database Licence.
Rights of way data from selected Local Authorities.
Large scale digital mapping is provided by John Thorn.
At high zoom levels the route is indicative only.
Purchase Ordnance Survey Maps (path is named on OS maps):
OS Landranger 155, 169
OS Landranger Active 155, 169
OS Explorer 197, 211
OS Explorer Active 197, 211
Other Paper Maps:
Around & About XL
Gipping Valley River Path (Yellow Publications - 2023)

Connected Paths:


Downloads:

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Route Profile:

26.1 km (16.2 miles)
113 m (371 ft) ascent
30 m (98 ft)  maximum height

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