From the car park go up a set of steps at the far end on to the tow path. Turn left and at The Old Ship public house, turn right onto the footbridge over the lock and walk along the embankment. To your left is Northey Island and behind that is the privately owned Osea Island. Today, Northey Island is a Site of Scientific Special Interest (SSSI) and can only be reached at low tide via a causeway. To your right, across marsh and heathland are views of Maldon. As you continue towards the town look out for the spire of the 12th century St Mary’s Church, which because of its location serves as a navigational aid for incoming shipping. Across the river you will see the attractive Edwardian park, built in 1895 as a recreational centre for local people and visitors. To the right of the park is Hythe Quay, where several Thames sailing barges with their characteristic sprit sail rigs are berthed. Their shallow draft allowed them to sail the muddy creeks and inlets of the Essex and Kent coasts, but they became redundant following the development of road transport.

At a bench, follow the embankment path as it curves right. The Blackwater Estuary attracts around 75,000 birds including up to 1,000 knots. The salt marsh, channels and creeks that ebb and fill with the rising tide provide the perfect food source. During January and February these wading birds can be seen in large flocks along with wintering raptors such as merlins and hen harriers.
After about 0.25 mile (400m) look to the left to see the statue of Byrhtnoth and continue along the footpath for about 1 mile (1.6km) towards industrial installations.

At a public footpath sign by a path junction keep ahead. The path emerges on to Hall Road. Turn left along the road and at the T-junction, turn right. Cross the road bridge and turn right at a bridleway sign and down a set of steps to join the tow path along the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation. On your right is Bentalls Warehouse, built in 1866. William Bentall, a ploughmaker, transferred his business to Heybridge in 1805 to take advantage of the canal.

Walk along the tow path for 1 mile (1.6km) to Heybridge Basin, where there are some interesting 18th and early 19th-century pubs and houses. This area replaced Fullbridge on the River Chelmer as the transhipment point for coal and other goods when the canal was completed. Today, it is renowned for its expertise in converting barges and fishing boats into pleasure craft. The Basin itself was built to accommodate vessels weighing up to 300 tonnes and 107ft in length so you can see some pretty large boats here. At a kiosk turn left down the steps to return to the car park where the walk began.