More images

More (2)

Essex Way: Epping to Chipping Ongar

Recommended by

Walk directions

Once an important roadside town on the old coach route from London to Norwich, Epping had no fewer than 26 inns in its heyday, and many tales abound regarding the rogues and characters who frequented them. From the underground station exit, take the footbridge to the eastern side of the track and proceed down the residential street to a main road. Cross to Bower Court, and follow the footpath to the side of this development. The path leads to open fields, and continues through these to a road.

Turn left and then left again back on to a bridleway. After about 0.5 miles (800m) this leads to another road and the Theydon Oak pub.

Turn right here then take the path on the left just before the bend in the road. This stretch of the route
is dominated by the M11.

Up ahead is a large chunk of Epping Forest. Its 6,000 acres were declared a public open space in 1878, and have since served to educate many generations of children in the sights and sounds of the countryside. The path skirts around the southeast edge of this part of the forest, past a school, and then follows a wide track through the trees to a footbridge over the motorway.

The route proceeds via a straight track to the edge of the forest, through pleasant countryside, and up to the village of Toot Hill.

Following the road north through the village, the path regains the countryside when the road bears sharp left, and it continues straight ahead into the field. The track goes behind the hedge to the right and continues east for another 0.75 miles (1.2km). Keep left where the path forks. It then turns to the north and goes through four pinch-gates in quick succession, each clearly marked. The path then winds around some buildings, with good signposting at this point. The official route continues north until reaching the road.

At this road the path turns sharply east once again, and continues along the side of a small wood to Greensted and its famous church.

From Greensted, the path continues due east across a couple more fields to Chipping Ongar, noted for its fine Norman motte-and-bailey castle. While the fortress was demolished long ago, the earthworks survive. Ongar was once the stronghold of Count Eustace of Boulogne, one of William the Conqueror’s most prominent supporters at the Battle of Hastings, who later became the greatest lay baron in both Essex and Hertfordshire. At the High Street turn right for Chipping Ongar church.

View all directions

Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Grassy footpaths, bridleways, tracks – can become very muddy

Landscape - Farmland, low hills, woods, the small market town of Chipping Ongar

Dog friendliness - On lead when near livestock or on roads

Parking - On Station Approach, by Epping Underground Station (pay and display)

Toilets en route - In Cottis Lane car park, Epping and High Street, Chipping Ongar

Walks in Essex Dog-friendly walks in Essex

About the walk

Starting on the outskirts of London beside a far outpost of the London Underground network, the Essex Way winds through peaceful rural scenery in a northeasterly direction, connecting briefly with civilization at the market towns of Chipping Ongar and Coggeshall before arriving at Dedham Vale and...

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

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

Learn more

Get an AA guide

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

Learn more

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

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

Learn more

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.

Route details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Gentle

Distance:

7.5 miles (12.1kms)

Ascent:

253ft (77m)

If you like this walk, you can try more routes in the area.

Find more walks in Essex

Essex Way: Epping to Chipping Ongar

Recommended by

Walk details

Difficulty:

Easy

Gradient:

Gentle

Distance:

7.5 miles (12.1kms)

Ascent:

253ft (77m)

Walk directions

1 of 7

Turn left and then left again back on to a bridleway. After about 0.5 miles (800m) this leads to another road and the Theydon Oak pub.

2 of 7

Turn right here then take the path on the left just before the bend in the road. This stretch of the route
is dominated by the M11.

3 of 7

The route proceeds via a straight track to the edge of the forest, through pleasant countryside, and up to the village of Toot Hill.

4 of 7

5 of 7

At this road the path turns sharply east once again, and continues along the side of a small wood to Greensted and its famous church.

6 of 7

7 of 7

Location

Starting point

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Grassy footpaths, bridleways, tracks – can become very muddy

Landscape - Farmland, low hills, woods, the small market town of Chipping Ongar

Dog friendliness - On lead when near livestock or on roads

Parking - On Station Approach, by Epping Underground Station (pay and display)

Toilets en route - In Cottis Lane car park, Epping and High Street, Chipping Ongar

Walks in Essex Dog-friendly walks in Essex

About the walk

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

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

Learn more

Get an AA guide

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

Learn more

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

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

Learn more

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

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.

Essex Way: Epping to Chipping Ongar

Been on this walk?

Walking in Safety

Get an AA guide

Been on this walk?

Walking in Safety

Get an AA guide

Sign up to our travel newsletter

Get the latest insider tips and recommendations to make the most of your next trip

Essex Way: Epping to Chipping Ongar

Been on this walk?

Walking in Safety

Get an AA guide

Been on this walk?

Walking in Safety

Get an AA guide

Sign up to our newsletter

Join over 4,000+ travelers who are getting the most out of their trips