Walks And Walking – New Epping Forest Way Marked Trails Map 2014

Walks And Walking – New Epping Forest Way Marked Trails Map 2014

Spring is finally here but Summer is also fast approaching so it is a great time to visit Epping Forest to witness the change in seasons and scenery. The bare brown grass and leave-less trees are transforming into lush meadows, wild Spring flowers and an abundance of wildlife.

The City of London Corporation have completed their ninth, and final, new Epping Forest Way Marked Trails for 2014. The Green Arrow Way Marked Trails in Epping Forest are super easy walks to follow and very easy to do, covering all of the best places to walk I have completed in Epping Forest.

Here is a brief summary of each of the walks with a link through to the map and description. At each walk there is a notice board that shows you the walking route and directions. I normally take a picture of this on my Smartphone before I start just in case I drift off with my thoughts during the walk and forget to keep an eye out for the green arrow way markers.

The first of the way marked trails in Epping Forest is the Willow Trail Walk which is a very simple 3 mile circular walk around around Connaught Water which is fairly near to Chingford. Connaught Water has been completely renovated so the paths are flat and wide, making it suitable for all family members and young children.

The Holly Trail Walk is a similar circular walk around Chingford Plain, about 3 miles and suitable for everyone. Whilst at Chingford Plain it is very worthwhile staying a little bit longer to see the Long Horn Cattle and ‘The View’ visitors centre, and, of course, the Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge.

For a really short walk in London, the most southerly part of Epping Forest, the Lime Tree Trail Walk is a lovely family mile long walk in Leytonstone starting at the Harrow Road Sports Pavilion which you can easily get to from the London Underground or bus services.

A few short stops up from Leytonstone on the Central Line London Underground is Snaresbrook where you can find the Hornbeam Trail Walk. There’s a cracking Toby Carvery there and Eagle Pond is a lovely 3 mile circular walking route. It is also great for a picnic and there are some legendary roadside cafes on the Whipps Cross Hospital side of the Hornbeam Trail if you prefer some stodge, or maybe working off a hangover!

Not too far from Snaresbrook is Wanstead, which has many various connections to Epping Forest history as it once formed part of the deer park of the former manor house of ancient Wanstead Manor. The 4 mile Chestnut Trail Walk is another super easy circular walk perfect for all of the family and it is a lovely place for a picnic by one of the lakes.

Epping Forest Fallow Deer

If you are interested in seeing the Fallow Deer and finding out a little bit more about Epping Forest’s rich history then the Oak Trail Walk is another of my favourite walks. A simple 7 mile circular walk to the deer sanctuary and Ambresbury Banks that starts at Theydon Bois, which is easily accessible by the London Underground or bus services.

Another good walk for spotting Fallow Deer is the Gifford Wood Trail Walk that starts at the Lodge Road car park at Copped Hall. This 5 mile circular walk skirts around all the best places to spot them but you have to be as quiet as possible and keep your eyes peeled!

High Beach, or High Beech depending on which road sign you see, is perhaps for many the focal point of Epping Forest, and has also been recently renovated to improve the parking facilities. The Beech Trail Walk is a 2.5 mile walking circular walking route to Loughton Camp, a famous hiding place of Dick Turpin and previously an iron age hill fort. It’s a great place to explore with children but perhaps a little too strenuous for elderly family members. You do need a car to get to High Beach or you can cut into the walk via Loughton, which is easily accessible from the London Underground or bus services.

And finally, a short walk that sits all by itself is the Rowan Trail Walk, a super easy circular walk in Knighton Wood and Lord’s Bushes which is fairly close to the Roding Valley London Underground station, or best accessed by car. In the summer you can look out for the Common Rowan near the base of the oak trees which fruits in July and August.

I’ve really enjoyed these walks but if you could not find one to suit you here then why not take a look at over 50 of my other Epping Forest walks.