Epping Forest Big Walk 2026

Featured photos: Epping Forest Big Walk 2025. © Yu Leng

Organised with support from the City of London Corporation, the walk provides the opportunity to walk Epping Forest from Manor Park in East London to Epping in Essex (14.1 miles) in a day.

Everyone is welcome! This is a walk for people and communities to get together to celebrate this wonderful ancient Forest. There will be informative talks about the Forest during the walk.

You don't need to be an experienced hiker to join the walk, although you will need to be quite fit to complete the whole walk in a day, as some of the walk can be challenging with ups and downs.

Guided by our volunteer walk leaders, there will be three main stops along the route. Please see below the timetable for the day:

• 8.30 am – 9.00 am - Arrive at the junction of Forest Drive and Capel Road, near Manor Park Station
• 9 .00 am - Introductory talks
• 9 .15 am - Walk starts
• 10.05 am – Depart Green Man roundabout, Leytonstone
• 11.35pm - Arrive at Highams Park near Humphry's Cafe, refreshment break
• 12.05 am – Depart Highams Park Lake
• 12.55 pm – Arrive at Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge (Chingford Visitor Centre), E4 7QH where we take a break for lunch
• 1.50 pm – Depart Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge (Chingford Visitor Centre)
• 2.50 pm - Arrive at High Beach Visitor Centre, refreshment break
• 3.20 pm – Depart High Beach Visitor Centre
• 5.15 pm – Arrive at Bell Common, Epping

• Wear comfortable, sturdy, and weather-proof walking boots/shoes. Parts of the Forest can be muddy and slippery
• Layer your clothes, and dress appropriately according to the weather.
• Bring plenty of water to keep you hydrated
• Bring a packed lunch and enough snacks
• Rucksacks work better than shoulder bags
• If it's hot and sunny, bring anything that will keep you safe and comfortable: suncream, sun hat, etc

The route stretches the length of the Forest, from Manor Park in Newham, skirting Wanstead and Woodford towards Highams Park, passing Chingford Plain, High Beach and going all the way to Epping in Essex.

The walk will take us through some of the most iconic locations and ancient monuments, as well as provide the chance to experience a mosaic of habitats the Forest encompasses, from grass plains, heathlands, ponds to wood-pasture and ancient woodlands.

There will also be short informative talks along the route, from which you can learn more about the wildlife, conservation, history, and management of the Forest.

Previously known as ‘The Centenary Walk’, the route covers the stretch of Epping Forest, starting from Manor Park in Newham and going all the way to Bell Common in Essex.

It was first established in 1978 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the passing of the Epping Forest Act 1878. The route was devised by Fred Matthews from the West Essex Ramblers and Harry Bitten from the Friends of Epping Forest. It is now one of the biggest annual events celebrating Epping Forest and its irreplaceable biodiversity, culture, and heritage now and for generations to come.

Find out more about Epping Forest Big Walk, please visit: https://efht.org.uk/discover-epping-forest/epping-forest-big-walk/

Epping Forest and its Buffer Lands are owned and managed by the City of London Corporation. They act as the Conservators of Epping Forest under the Epping Forest Acts 1878.

To find out more, please visit: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/epping-forest

The Big Walk is part of "Epping Forest Together", which is made possible thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players for their support!