Great Eastern Pingo Trail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Great Eastern Pingo Trail |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Type | Local Nature Reserve |
| Location | North Walsham, Norfolk |
| OS grid | TL 929 934 |
| Area | 4.2 hectares (10 acres) |
The Great Eastern Pingo Trail is a cool walking path in Norfolk, England. It's about 9.2 kilometers (5.7 miles) long and follows an old railway line near Thetford. This special area is a Local Nature Reserve, which means it's protected for its wildlife and natural beauty. It covers about 4.2 hectares (10.4 acres).
Along the trail, you'll find around 300 unique ponds called pingos. These shallow pools were formed thousands of years ago when huge chunks of ice melted after the last ice age. The trail also goes through several important nature areas, like Thompson Water, Carr and Common, Breckland Forest, and Cranberry Rough, Hockham. These places are protected because they have rare plants and animals.
Contents
Discovering the Pingo Trail
The Great Eastern Pingo Trail is a fantastic place to explore nature. It's a flat path, perfect for walking, cycling, or even horse riding. As you travel along the old railway line, you'll see many different types of natural spaces.
What are Pingos?
Pingos are one of the most interesting features of this trail. Imagine a giant ice cube buried in the ground. When the ice melted very slowly, the ground above it sank, creating a bowl-shaped hollow that filled with water. These pingos are now home to many different plants and animals.
A Mix of Habitats
The trail offers a mix of different natural environments, called habitats. You'll walk through woodlands, open grasslands, and marshy areas. At the western end of the trail, there's a large lake called Thompson Water. This variety of habitats means you can spot many different kinds of wildlife.
Protected Natural Areas
The Great Eastern Pingo Trail is very important for nature conservation. It crosses several areas that have special protection to keep their unique wildlife safe.
Sites of Special Scientific Interest
The trail passes through three Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). These are places in the UK that have special plants, animals, or geology. The SSSIs here include:
Other Important Nature Sites
The trail also crosses Thompson Common, which is a nature reserve looked after by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. This area is considered a Grade I site for nature conservation, meaning it's one of the best examples of its kind. Additionally, the trail goes through:
- Norfolk Valley Fens Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
- Breckland Special Protection Area (SPA)
These special protections help make sure that the unique plants and animals of the Great Eastern Pingo Trail can thrive for many years to come.
