Walks And Walking – Essex Walks – A Family Walk In Epping Forest

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks – A Family Walk In Epping Forest

We managed to get some of the family together for a nice walk in Epping Forest at the weekend. I was under strict orders not to prepare a walking route and despite my many requests to go and find the Deer I had to go with the family flow with   a more random walk amongst the ancient woodlands.

It was quite a relaxed stroll from High Beach heading directly south opposite the Kings Oak pub across the plain and then down in to the forest, circling round to the west and back up and around by the top of the visitors centre covering about 2.6 miles and taking exactly an hour. Here is the walk in photographs:

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks – Epping Forest – High Beach – Fashion shoot for The North Face

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks – Epping Forest – High Beach

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks – Epping Forest – High Beach – Walking down into the forest

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks – Epping Forest – High Beach – Walking amongst the shadows in the trees

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks – Epping Forest – High Beach – The bivouac capital of the world

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks – Epping Forest – High Beach – All smiles at the end

Easy Short Walks

Easy walks that are suitable for all of the family, mostly up to 5 miles which should take a leisurely 2 to 3 hours to complete. Epping Forest can be quite muddy so it is advisable to wear a good pair of walking boots or waterproof walking shoes. Facilities can be quite limited in Epping Forest with High Beach being the most central location for refreshments and toilet facilities. For more information about Epping Forest visit their official website here.

Knighton Wood and Lords Bushes Walk
An easy 1 mile walk suitable for all of the family and small children through this small island of Epping Forest, can easily be extended by an extra few miles if required.

The Ditches Epping Forest
An easy, but very muddy, walk from The Ditches car park to the Epping Forest Deer Sanctuary and back.

Gunpowder Park Walk
A simple 2 mile circular walk in Gunpowder Park offers leisurely walking routes in an area of conservation near Waltham Abbey.

South Woodford Walk
An easy 3 mile linear walk from South Woodford to Chingford following the Epping Forest Centenary Walk.

Willow Trail Walk
A simple 3 mile classic family circular walk following The Willow Trail, one of the official Epping Forest walking routes, around Connaught Water.

Epping Forest Family Walk
A 3 mile family stroll randomly around the ancient woodlands of Epping Forest from High Beach.

Holly Trail Walk
A simple 3 mile classic family circular walk following The Holly Trail, one of the official Epping Forest walking routes, starting in Chingford.

Chestnut Trail Walk
A simple 4 mile classic family circular walk following The Chestnut Trail, one of the official Epping Forest walking routes, starting in Wanstead.

Wanstead Park Walk
A gentle 4 mile circular walk in Wanstead Park, lakes and woodland on well maintained walking routes, tracks and paths.

Gifford Wood Walk
A good 5 mile official Epping Forest walking route from Lodge Road to Copped Hall, Upshire and Warlies Park to the new Gifford Wood and back.

Family Favourite Walk
An awesome 5 mile circular walk from Chingford taking in all of the best sights of this part of Epping Forest. Following the main walking routes this walk starts at Chingford Plain and takes you to High Beach, Loughton Camp, Kate’s Cellar, Strawberry Hill Ponds, Connaught Water and the Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge.