From the information board at the entrance by the kissing gate there are two paths. The one straight ahead is wide and gravelly, but to start the walk take the path on the right and go up the steps of the steep embankment. This narrow hillside was created from earth dug out during the construction of the M11 but is seldom used, and has become an excellent hunting ground for kestrels and sparrowhawks. Much of the original site of the RAF base now lies beneath the motorway. Also from here you can look down on the recreation area and the lake which, although not part of the reserve, is a popular spot for waterfowl. After exploring this area return to your starting point and take the main path through the kissing gate into the reserve. Follow the path through the reserve and, ignoring paths branching off to the right and left, keep ahead, passing oak and hornbeam. The concrete area you will pass marks the site of RAF Chigwell. Continue along the concrete track and join the widest track ahead through the woodland. The track curves and becomes concrete again before reaching a grassy roundabout surrounded by open meadow. The seating here provides a good picnic area and a place to watch for skylarks nesting in the meadow ahead.

Go through a gate and follow the narrow path across a field that leads away from the concrete roundabout towards the M11. Go through a hedge gap and a kissing gate where there is a ‘footpath No. 8’ waymark, and continue along an enclosed path to the right of Four Acres Field.

At the cross-path leading to a bridge over the M11, turn left away from the road along the ancient green lane which once formed part of the drovers’ and packhorse route from Epping Forest to Romford market. Turn right at a yellow-waymarked fingerpost at a cross-path, and cross a plank bridge. Go through the adjacent kissing gate and continue along the left-hand edge of a field. Cross another plank footbridge and head towards the tall, thin chimney which is a Victorian vent for underground sewers.

Go through a kissing gate into the large grassy area known as Lower Mead, following the waymark, and bear left. Go through another kissing gate and bear right. The path now continues with the River Roding to your right, providing a habitat for kingfishers, dragonflies, damselflies, bream and sticklebacks. After 300yds (274m), cross the river on Charlie Moule’s Footbridge, built in the 1950s to replace stepping stones. Turn left after the footbridge along a concrete path, with the river on your left. Follow this meandering path beside the river bank, crossing a small wooden footbridge. Later the path veers away from the river and ahead, through the trees, you will see a lake. This is a good place to watch wildfowl such as Canada geese, mallard ducks, moorhens and coots. The lake was dug to provide the nearby M11 with gravel. Keep ahead towards the lake, pass a cricket pavilion and follow the concrete path as it curves right at a yellow post. A few paces further on, cross White Bridge over the River Roding, and re-enter the nature reserve.

Turn left in the direction of the red waymark and go through a kissing gate, later bearing away from the river to join a gravel path. Turn right and retrace your steps back to the start of the walk.