The Epping Forest Adventure Walk

10 miles of ancient woodland, open forest, hidden characters and Tudor history - with refreshments along the way!
About this Event

Join me for a full-day Adventure Walk exploring the wonderful variety of Epping Forest, from the woodland around Chingford to the open landscapes of High beach and back again on a circular route.

We'll start at the Epping Forest Visitor Centre at Chingford. There's the opportunity before we set off to use the toilets and grab a coffee or other refreshments if you wish.

Our route takes us through the forest, where we'll encounter some rather unexpected residents: the beautifully carved wooden characters from Brambly Hedge, including Mrs Toadflax and Poppy Eyebright. These characters are part of a new trail celebrating the connection between Epping Forest and the much-loved books of Jill Barklem.

From there we head to Connaught Water, before turnign north and following forest paths through a changing landscape of ancient wood-pasture, mature woodland and open grassland.

We'll continue north to the Arms Roundabout, before turning south again and making our way towrds High Beach.

At around seven miles (1:30pm ish), we'll reach the Epping Forest Visitor Centre at High Beach, where there are toilets and our lunch stop. Depending on the day, you might fancy a hot drink, somthing from the local food outlets - perhaps even oysters(!), or alternatively bring a picnic.

After lunch we have just three miles to go as we continue through the Forest to our final destination: Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge. Built in 1543 for Henry VIII, this remarkable Tudor timber-framed building has stood overlooking the Forest for almost 500 years. We'll finish our walk here, with the option of a final drink or snack at Butler's Retreat before heading home.

This is a proper Adventure Walk: 10 miles, varied terrain, beautiful scenery and lots to discover along the way. We'll walk at a sociable pace with opportunities to enjoy the Forest rather than racing from A to B.

Walk Details

Date: Thursday 3rd September 2026
Start: 10:00am
Location: Epping Forest Visitor Centre, Chingford
Distance: Approximately 10 miles
Finish: Before 4:00pm
Terrain: Woodland paths, grassland and forest tracks; some uneven and muddy sections may be encountered depending on the weather.

This walk will be lead by me, Katie Smith, a qualified and insured walk leader with outdoor first aid training and local knowledge.

Getting There

By public transport: Chingford station is the nearest station and is around a 10-minute walk from the Epping Forest Visitor Centre, Chingford. Chingford is served by the London Overground, with several bus routes also serving the station.

By car: Barn Hoppitt Car Park is pay-and-display using the RingoApp. The cost is £6 for a maximum of six hours (so don't arrive too early). There are disabled places which are free of charge.

Car Sharing: There is the opportunity to car-share from the SE9 / SE18 area. If you'd like to share a lift, please select the relevant option when booking and I will add you to the WhatsApp group to coordinate lifts.

What Should I bring?

• Comfortable walking shoes or boots with good grip
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Water
• Snacks
• Lunch, if you prefer to bring your own picnic, or money
• A small amount of money/card for optional refreshments
• Download the Ringo App before traveling if you are driving

Is this walk suitable for me?

This is a 10 mile Adventure Walk, so you should be comfortable walking this distance at a steady pace. There will be some uneven ground and the route may be muddy after wet weather.

You don't need to be an experienced long-distance walker. The terrain isn't too challenging and I have done a full risk assessment and route review, but this isn't a gentle stroll. We'll keep a sociable pace and take regular opportunities to pause , but you should be confident that you can walk for several hours.

We must keep a steady pace as we are restricted by the six hour car park rule.

Why pay for a guided Adventure Walk?

You're paying for more than following a line on a map. The route has been planned, walked and checked in advance, you'll have a knowledgable guide who is qualified, insured and first aid trained.

Walking in a small group also means you can explore somewhere new without having to navigate alone. It can be particularly reassuring if you're less confident walking longer distances or exploring new places on your own.

Most importantly, you can leave the route-finding and logistics to me and concentrate on enjoying the adventure.