Last time I was there, I could park on the shingle bank near Martello Tower. Didn't have the bike but it all looked rideable. Tracks outside the security fence.

OK, ta. I've always gone north and done road to Thorpness, lanes / path to Sizewell, beach, past Minsmere to Dunwich, through the woods, trails back towards Leiston, paths back to Thorpness in the past but we're there in August, so I may take the Fatbike and try heading the other way and do the loops on the other days..............

officially, no.

From a security point of view I've walked down there plenty of times and got away with it, however...

There are endangered ground nesting birds in the area and a large bit of land that is mostly devoid of humans is a great help to their cause. If you can save your curiosity until later in the Summer then you'd be doing them a big favour. 🙂

Ta. That's a good point. I forgot about them. I'll be there in August, I'm guessing birdwise it'll be fine, but is it like Shingle Street i.e. covered in nice rare plants? I'm beginning to think it's not such a good idea............so I think if I venture down there, I'll walk and take the fixed gear Karate Monkey for my normal Northern loops........

August will be fine from a bird point of view, you're right about the plants but they're a lot harder to scare/easier to avoid. On foot sounds like an eminently sensible plan...

fixed gear karate monkey aside, that sounds absolutely awful. 😆

Trust me, it's a hoot..............although I'm thinking my fixed gear Pugsley could be a laugh............

It's called Orford Ness.

[i]Orford Ness is an exposed stretch of coast with dangerous military debris still present. Please keep to the waymarked tracks and obey signs. Anyone straying from the visitor routes is in danger from unexploded material and could permamently damage the habitats. For safety the derelict Atomic weapons research establishment (AWRE) site, including the 'pagodas', is strictly out of bounds except on guided tours[/i]

The National Trust tend to be VERY anti-bike round this way, especially on Dunwich Heath so probably only foot access allowed.

You've done most of the area but you could try Thorpeness cliffs to Sizewell with a loop back inland.
Aldeburgh to Snape using "Sailors Path" and return on the bridleway to Blackheath Corner then road and bridleway back to Aldeburgh passing the TV transmitter mast.

If you ride to Snape then you might as well carry on to Tunstall Forest where you will find the 10 mile waymarked "Viking Trail" MTB loop and many miles of other off-piste singletrack if you explore a bit. Plus a jump site at Gate 23 near Sudbourne.

Isn't Orford Ness the NT run island reached by ferry from Orford. If it is, that's def a no go for bikes....
The other routes look good. Thank you......

It's the same place but not an island. You can get onto it from the martello tower at Slaughden or ferry from Orford.............probably heading that way on Sunday.

A question for you Switchback. We, at work, were under the impression that the 'Sailors Path' is "cheeky". Is that the case or is it a permissive route? (One of our competitors is directing their clients along it).
We couldn't get a clear answer from a look on the web.

The "Sailors Path" is most definitely "cheeky" as it's an FP with no concessions for bikes. Usual sensible protocol with other users is normally OK. Some of it is quite wide but there is some boardwalk with gates. Not suitable for group rides due to the problem passing walkers on the boardwalk. I normally get off and put my bike into the reed-bed to make room. Time of year and day is also worth considering due to high use on a summer weekend etc. Really good grub at the Golden Key pub in Snape.

An alternative route from the end of the Sailors Path is to turn left at the road junction and go down through the woods to the river bank which ends up opposite Snape Maltings. Again, this is a cheeky route but it cuts out some more tarmac. Same consideration to other users applies.