Mission Statement: Explore picturesque Horning
Trail Introduction:
This trail makes its way through the beautiful rivers of the Norfolk Broads, passing Salhouse and Horning to Ranworth Broad. Why not spend the night aboard at one ofthe many 24 hour moorings before moving on towards Thurne?
About the Area:
The Norfolk Broads are a haven for wildlife, flora and fauna with plenty to see and do. This trail takes you right through the heart of the Norfolk Broads, taking in some of the most iconic Broads sights – including Wroxham, which is often said to be the capital of the Norfolk Broads, through to the picturesque village of Horning, which provides an alternative start/finish point should you wish. This also provides an alternative start/finish point, should you wish to try a slightly shorter trail. You can also combine this with other trails – for example, Thurne to Ranworth, which has a nature trail.
At Ranworth, there are two Broads, the larger being Malthouse Broad, a Norfolk Wildlife Trust Information Centre, a medieval church and shop. There is a boardwalk from the village through woodland and reed beds to a floating conservation centre on Ranworth’s second Broad, from where you can look out for otters and kingfishers, the common tern colony and an artificial osprey nest (which encourages them to nest there), marsh harriers and many other birds.
Interesting fact: Author of the Swallows and Amazons series of children’s books, Arthur Ransome and his wife Evgenia spent many holidays in the 1930’s cruising on the Norfolk Broads. He based his book ‘Coot Club’ on the River Bure and at Horning.
Round Trip Distance: 12 miles
Approximate Time that the Trail will take: 6 hours In a Wayfarer or similar in F4 winds
OS Map or Chart: OL40
Trail Details:
This map is for information use only, not for navigation.
1 Launch onto Wroxham Broad
2 After launching, enjoy a sail round the Broad, before turning to starboard to join the River Bure towards Horning.
3 Pass Salhouse Broad on your right. Why not stop off at the old wherry cut – during the summer you can even get a cup of tea here.
4 Turn to starboard and continue along the river towards Horning (approx. 2.5 miles). To your left is the Hoveton Great Broad Nature Trail, which you can moor up and visit.
5 During the summer months why not explore Hoveton Little Broad with its fine riverside houses and abundant wildlife.
6 Turn to port past the riverside cottages on the left bank. Pass Horning Sailing Club on the left, with the Swan Inn Public House straight in front of you. Stop off and wander through the pretty village with its thatched buildings.
7 This section of the River Bure is one of the most attractive and busiest parts of the trail.
8 Pass the Ferry Inn and Ferry Boatyard, sail past the entrance to Cockshoot Dyke to starboard
9 As you leave Horning, to your left you will pass Horning Church, with limited moorings, and a five minute walk up a steep hill-path to see the Church of St Benedicts.
10 Continue sailing until you see a turning to starboard signposted for Ranworth. The entrance is quite narrow and you will then enter Malthouse Broad to the left.
11 Head straight across Malthouse Broad towards scenic Ranworth Staithe where there are public moorings – but these are popular and fill up quickly.
Retrace your steps to the start.
Trip Extensions:
Climb the 89 steps of the church tower at www.3rr.uk St Helen’s Church, Ranworth
Launch Point Lat and Long: 52.69771112868943, 1.4138773171543177
Launch Point What3Words: https://w3w.co/amounting.aims.cotton
Postcode: NR12 8TS
Launch Information: The trail starts with a dinghy launching point straight onto Wroxham Broad, found in the Pay & Display car park next to Norfolk Broads Yacht Club. There is a small charge.
Costs to launch: You will need a Broads Authority short visit toll if visiting the area – find out more. https://www.broads-authority.gov.uk/boating/owning-a-boat/tolls/short-visit-toll
Tidal Information:
Non-tidal
Toilets: Not yet known.
Toilets What3Words:
Toilets Information:
Page Month Published: Oct 2025 from information from 2021.
Dinghy Trail Sponsor: