First Image
Second Image More images
More (7)
Home> Walks> England> Essex> Through Epping Forest

Through Epping Forest

Recommended by
Our view
"Follow Queen Victoria's path to the opening of the forest to Londoners."
Walk directions

From the car park walk between wooden posts and bear left on the gravel path which hugs Connaught Water. Walk around the lake for 800yds (732m), turn left after the boardwalk and continue along the path with high trees towards Fairmead Bottom. (This low-lying area may flood after rain.)

After 400yds (366m) turn left onto the tarmac road, and after a few paces cross Palmer's Bridge and bear right onto the grassy track, which continues ahead close to the A104 on your right. The path crosses meadows to Fairmead Pond on your left. After this bear left and join the bridleway track. Continue uphill, to pass to the right of the car park where there is a tea hut.
View all directions
Location
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain  - Woodland paths and bridleways, some road
  Landscape  - Ponds, ancient woodland and open heathland
  Dog friendliness  - Great fun, though a bit muddy; keep on lead around horses
  Parking  - Free car park on A1069 at Connaught Water
  Toilets en route  - Epping Forest Conservation Centre and Epping Forest Visitor Centre
Walks in Essex Dog-friendly walks in Essex
About the walk
Shaped like a crescent and extending 12 miles (19.3km) south from Epping to Wanstead Flats, Epping Forest is divided by the Epping New Road which gives access from northeast London to the M25. Despite all the traffic, you need step back only a little to discover tranquil tracks and pathways...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Essex is full of pleasant surprises. It has the largest coastline of any county in England, with its fair share of castles, royal connections and scenic valleys.
Explore Essex
Area image

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Caravan & Camping
Lee Valley Campsite, Sewardstone
★★★★
awardaward
"Get back to nature on pleasant woodland site in Chingford...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Shop onsite
  • Wifi available
Caravan & Camping
Lee Valley Camping & Caravan Park
★★★★
awardaward
"London on hand from peaceful, green site in Edmonton...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Cafe/Restaurant
  • Picnic Area
Serviced Apartments
Adagio London Stratford Apartments
★★★★
awardaward
"Compact, stylish, comfortable and well located...."
Nearby places to stay
Lee Valley Campsite, Sewardstone
Overlooking King George's Reservoir and close to Epping Forest, this popular and peaceful park features good modern facilities and excellent hardstanding pitches, including nine that ar...
★★★★    Rating
Lee Valley Camping & Caravan Park
A pleasant, open site within easy reach of London yet peacefully located close to two large reservoirs. There are excellent gravel access roads to the camping field, good signage and li...
★★★★    Rating
Adagio London Stratford Apartments
Ideally located in a lively residential area, the Stratford Adagio aparthotel is just 5 minutes' walk from both Stratford underground station and Westfield Stratford City shopping centr...
★★★★    Rating
Adagio London Stratford
Ideally located in a lively residential area, the Stratford Adagio aparthotel is just 5 minutes' walk from both Stratford underground station and Westfield Stratford City shopping centr...
★★★★    Rating
Best Western London Highbury
Opposite Finsbury Park and only a short tube ride from the centre of London, this establishment offers a range of well-appointed and well-equipped accommodation with air-conditioning. T...
★★★    Rating
Lee Valley Caravan Park Dobbs Weir
Lee Valley Caravan Park provides much needed camping facilities close to London. Situated on level ground beside the River Lee, the park has a modernised toilet block with good faciliti...
★★★★    Rating
West Lodge Park Hotel
West Lodge Park Hotel is a stylish country house set in stunning parkland and gardens, yet is only 12 miles from central London and a few miles from the M25. Bedrooms are individually d...
Awaiting inspection
The Great Barn
Originally built in the 16th century, this great barn has all mod-cons and sits among the rolling hills of south-west Essex, close to Epping Forest. The forest, a heritage railway, pubs...
★★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
Barge East
   AA Rosette Award
Lizzie's Cucina
   AA Rosette Award
Behind
   AA Rosette Award
The Clove Club
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
Barge East
   AA Rosette Award
Lizzie's Cucina
   AA Rosette Award
Behind
   AA Rosette Award
The Clove Club
   AA Rosette Award
The Pig and Butcher
   AA Rosette Award
The Princess of Shoreditch
   AA Rosette Award
Delamina EAST
   AA Rosette Award
London Shell Co. on Swain's Lane
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Route details
2hrs 30min
Dog-friendly
Difficulty:
Medium

Gradient:
Moderate


Distance:
5.75 miles (9.3kms)

Ascent:
227ft (70m)

Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby  
Discover more walks in Essex
If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.
Find more walks in Essex

Through Epping Forest

Recommended by
Our view
"Follow Queen Victoria's path to the opening of the forest to Londoners."
Walk details
2hrs 30min
Dog friendly
Difficulty:
Medium
Gradient:
Moderate
Distance:
5.75 miles (9.3kms)
Ascent:
227ft (70m)
Walk directions

From the car park walk between wooden posts and bear left on the gravel path which hugs Connaught Water. Walk around the lake for 800yds (732m), turn left after the boardwalk and continue along the path with high trees towards Fairmead Bottom. (This low-lying area may flood after rain.)
1 of 6

After 400yds (366m) turn left onto the tarmac road, and after a few paces cross Palmer's Bridge and bear right onto the grassy track, which continues ahead close to the A104 on your right. The path crosses meadows to Fairmead Pond on your left. After this bear left and join the bridleway track. Continue uphill, to pass to the right of the car park where there is a tea hut.
2 of 6

Continue up the tarmac road for 100yds (91m), and turn right by the metal gate onto the wide hoggin bridleway, which undulates through high woods and pollarded beech trees. Maintain direction for 0.5 miles (800m) and at a crossing of paths take the path left, which leads into the wooden fenced enclosure of Epping Forest Conservation Centre.
3 of 6

Leave the Conservation Centre by the front path, turn left and walk past The Kings Oak pub. After 300yds (274m), with a pair of cottages on your left, take the path right. Walk under high trees for 250yds (229m) to reach the tarmac road and the secluded location of High Beach Church. With the church behind you turn left downhill, and after 300yds (274m) turn right onto the path between high pollarded trees.
4 of 6

After a short way it joins a sandy track. This is the Centenary Walk, which maintains direction through thick woodland for 0.5 miles (800m) to the deep cutting of the small brook. Cross the earth bridge and follow the Centenary Walk as it curves right. Reach the wide, grassy cross-path and bear left.
5 of 6

After 300yds (274m), at a triangular area of trees, keep ahead to turn right onto the Green Ride bridleway. This popular horse trail bisects North Long Hills and Whitehouse Plain. At the confluence of paths maintain your direction through Bury Wood, and at a crossing of paths take the next path on the right which leads to open heath. Take the path half right, and ahead notice the wooden frames of Royal Forest and Butlers Retreat, popular watering holes. Turn left downhill by the A1069 and return to the car park.
6 of 6
Location
Starting point
Nearest postcode:
Additional information
  Terrain - Woodland paths and bridleways, some road
  Landscape - Ponds, ancient woodland and open heathland
  Dog friendliness - Great fun, though a bit muddy; keep on lead around horses
  Parking - Free car park on A1069 at Connaught Water
  Toilets en route - Epping Forest Conservation Centre and Epping Forest Visitor Centre
Walks in Essex Dog-friendly walks in Essex
About the walk
Shaped like a crescent and extending 12 miles (19.3km) south from Epping to Wanstead Flats, Epping Forest is divided by the Epping New Road which gives access from northeast London to the M25. Despite all the traffic, you need step back only a little to discover tranquil tracks and pathways...
Read more
Been on this walk placeholder

Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more
Walking in Safety placeholder

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more
Get an AA guide placeholder

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more
About the area
Area image
Essex
Essex is full of pleasant surprises. It has the largest coastline of any county in England, with its fair share of castles, royal connections and scenic valleys.
Explore Essex

Nearby places to stay

View all (8)
Caravan & Camping
Lee Valley Campsite, Sewardstone
★★★★
awardaward
"Get back to nature on pleasant woodland site in Chingford...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Shop onsite
  • Wifi available
Caravan & Camping
Lee Valley Camping & Caravan Park
★★★★
awardaward
"London on hand from peaceful, green site in Edmonton...."
  • Launderette
  • Ice pack facility
  • Cafe/Restaurant
  • Picnic Area
Serviced Apartments
Adagio London Stratford Apartments
★★★★
awardaward
"Compact, stylish, comfortable and well located...."
Nearby places to stay
Lee Valley Campsite, Sewardstone
Overlooking King George's Reservoir and close to Epping Forest, this popular and peaceful park features good modern facilities and excellent hardstanding pitches, including nine that ar...
★★★★    Rating
Lee Valley Camping & Caravan Park
A pleasant, open site within easy reach of London yet peacefully located close to two large reservoirs. There are excellent gravel access roads to the camping field, good signage and li...
★★★★    Rating
Adagio London Stratford Apartments
Ideally located in a lively residential area, the Stratford Adagio aparthotel is just 5 minutes' walk from both Stratford underground station and Westfield Stratford City shopping centr...
★★★★    Rating
Adagio London Stratford
Ideally located in a lively residential area, the Stratford Adagio aparthotel is just 5 minutes' walk from both Stratford underground station and Westfield Stratford City shopping centr...
★★★★    Rating
Best Western London Highbury
Opposite Finsbury Park and only a short tube ride from the centre of London, this establishment offers a range of well-appointed and well-equipped accommodation with air-conditioning. T...
★★★    Rating
Lee Valley Caravan Park Dobbs Weir
Lee Valley Caravan Park provides much needed camping facilities close to London. Situated on level ground beside the River Lee, the park has a modernised toilet block with good faciliti...
★★★★    Rating
West Lodge Park Hotel
West Lodge Park Hotel is a stylish country house set in stunning parkland and gardens, yet is only 12 miles from central London and a few miles from the M25. Bedrooms are individually d...
Awaiting inspection
The Great Barn
Originally built in the 16th century, this great barn has all mod-cons and sits among the rolling hills of south-west Essex, close to Epping Forest. The forest, a heritage railway, pubs...
★★★★★    Rating
View all (8)
Places to eat nearby View all
Barge East
   AA Rosette Award
Lizzie's Cucina
   AA Rosette Award
Behind
   AA Rosette Award
The Clove Club
   AA Rosette Award
Places to eat nearby
Barge East
   AA Rosette Award
Lizzie's Cucina
   AA Rosette Award
Behind
   AA Rosette Award
The Clove Club
   AA Rosette Award
The Pig and Butcher
   AA Rosette Award
The Princess of Shoreditch
   AA Rosette Award
Delamina EAST
   AA Rosette Award
London Shell Co. on Swain's Lane
   AA Rosette Award
View all
Stay in the area  
Eat or drink nearby