Just 13 miles from Central London, Epping Forest offers a tranquil respite from busy city life with almost 6,000 acres of nature in all its glory. Whether you’re looking for a quick stroll, a family friendly day out, or something more challenging, Epping Forest has plenty of trails to choose from.
Located in the Northeast of London, into neighbouring Essex, Epping Forest is well connected via overground from Liverpool Street Station to Chingford, the underground central line, and London bus routes. For those travelling by car, car parks are available near the forest.
Once at the forest, a variety of trails are waymarked close to all transport hubs. There are cafes and picnic areas along many of the trails, as well as several children’s play areas and designated fishing sites. Starting from 1.5 miles up to 6.6 miles, you can choose any one of 9 circular trails to join, or even combine a few to make a truly enjoyable day out. For the more adventurous, there are plenty of unmarked hikes to take advantage of throughout the forest – just make sure to have a good map of the area with you! Maps and other information about the forest are available at the visitor centres located in Chingford and High Beach.
Here’s a rundown of the nine waymarked trails of Epping Forest:
Lime Trail (1.5 miles)
Start point: Harrow Road Sports Pavilion.
Approximate walking time: 30 – 40 mins.
A lovely gentle walk for those looking for a shorter, mostly flat walk over the grasslands and into Bush Wood, an ancient woodland once part of the Wanstead House Park. Some of the avenues of sweet chestnut trees can still be walked along today. Make sure to keep an eye out for the greater spotted woodpecker that can be seen drumming the lime trees along the route. Close to the Lime Trail, you can also head on over to the short Easy Access Trail around Jubilee Pond, where you will find a beautiful place to rest, eat a picnic lunch, or make use of the fishing platform.
Rowan Trail (1.5 miles)
Start point: Knighton Lane Car Park.
Approximate walking time: 45 – 60 mins.
This walk takes you through woodland areas, full of the silvery Rowan trees, over some uneven ground and gentle slopes to one of the favourite features in this area, Knighton Lake. Here you’ll get a chance to take in the reeds and water lilies, pond life, and brightly coloured Emperor Dragonflies. For families taking this walk, you can also find a children’s play area just off the route near Prince’s Road.
Holly Trail (2.5 miles)
Start point: Chingford Plain.
Approximate walking time: 1 hour.
This is a nice gentle trail, across surfaced forest path through the open grassland with some slight inclines. Some of the trees found along this walk in Bury Wood are up to 400 years old and provide a great habitat for lots of wildlife – including the Muntjac deer, which are a small dark deer, about the size of a Labrador. As the name suggests you’ll also find plenty of Holly along the way, but just remember - its red berries are poisonous to humans!
Willow Trail (2.5 miles)
Start point: Connaught Water Lake.
Approximate walking time: 1 hour.
Sharing parts of the Holly trail, this is another gentle walk perfect for families over surfaced tracks and grasslands, with one short, steep slope up to the lake from Chingford Plain. Around the lake there is another Easy Access Trail with a children’s play area and fishing platforms. Make sure to keep an eye out for Great crested grebes, whose young often ride on their parents’ backs around the lake.
Gifford Trail (1.25 miles)
Start point: Sergeant’s Green Lane.
Approximate walking time: 1 hour.
This is one of the newest trails in Epping Forest, traveling over some uneven ground through Gifford Woodland (planted in 2013), and the Buffer Lands of Oxleys and Potkiln Woods. On this trail you’ll pass by Saint Thomas’s Church of England, and best of all – you may even be able to spot some Fallow Deer!
Hornbeam Trail (3.5 miles)
Start point: Snaresbrook Road.
Approximate walking time: 1.5 hours.
This trail takes you over mainly flat Forest tracks across open grassland and wooded areas, with a steep incline between Canada Plain and Waterworks Wood. A fantastic walk for families, this walk takes you to Hollow Pond, which offers rowing boats for hire, a fishing area, and two play areas.
Beech Trail: (2.5 miles)
Start point: High Beach car park.
Approximate walking time: 1.5 - 2 hours.
Be aware that this trail covers uneven terrains, including steep inclines and Forest tracks so may not be suitable for everybody. The High Beach visitor centre, toilets and a picnic area are located at this entrance. As the name suggests, this trail will take you through the wonderous beech trees, and make sure you don’t miss Loughton Camp, an Iron Age earthwork built in around 500BC.
Chestnut Trail (3.25 miles)
Start point: Warren Road entrance.
Approximate walking time: 2 hours.
This route follows the main tracks in the historic park with some sections across open grassland. It is mostly flat with a few gentle inclines. This walk offers stunning scenery from Chalet Wood to the Ornamental Water, Heronry Pond and Perch Pond. The trail will also take you to The Grotto, an example of 18th century garden landscaping originally designed as an ornamental boat house.
Oak Trail (6.6 miles)
Start point: Theydon Bois Underground Station.
Approximate walking time: 3-4 hours.
One for the more experienced walker, the Forest’s longest waymarked trail follows a more challenging, uneven terrain along tracks, pavements and well-trodden paths. Those taking on this hike will certainly be rewarded with the view of the deer sanctuary that provides safe grazing for over 100 animals, however, please note there is no public access to the Sanctuary. Further around the circular trail in Ambresbury Banks, you’ll be able to walk along the Iron Age earthwork dating back over 2,000 years to the mid-1st millennium BC.
Whichever trail you choose in Epping Forest, you’re sure to have a fun-filled day out spotting plenty of wildlife among the ancient trees. For anybody who would like to join a guided tour for an even more social and educational experience, the Epping Forest Heritage Trust offers a variety of guided walks to book in advance.