Lost? How to Find Your Way!

Getting lost is a rare thing in the age of satellites and smartphones, but your phone may run out of battery and Epping Forest is renowned for having poor, if any, mobile signal in parts. Or maybe you’re keen to improve your survival skills and venture out without relying on your phone. Some people seem to have an innate sense of direction, while others can wander round in circles and easily find themselves heading south when they wanted to be walking west. If you have the time and inclination it can be fun to allow yourself to get a little lost in the Forest, but some simple navigation tools will serve you well when it comes to finding your way. 

Where is the sun?

The sun is your guide. The sun always rises in the east and sets in the west. On a sunny morning, it’s moving from the east to the south. Around noon (1pm in summer time), the sun will point due south at its highest point in the sky. In the afternoon, it moves from the south to the west. If you haven’t packed a compass, you only need to look at the time. The sun moves 15 degrees per hour. Therefore, at 3pm in winter the sun has moved 45 degrees since midday and is in the south-west. If you have an analogue watch, the hour-hand will have moved 90 degrees from 12 to 3, because the sun circles the Earth only once in 24 hours, while your watch rotates twice!

On an overcast day, you might still be able to spot the brightest part of the sky. If not, a map will serve you well, along with a compass to make sure it’s oriented correctly, and you’ll need to note where you entered the Forest.

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Bring a map

Getting your bearings based on the sun might seem unnecessarily complicated so how about bringing a map. Reading from a map is a satisfying activity and much easier than you might think. Here are some other signs to look out for to help you identify where you are on the map:

• Anywhere in the Forest there are roads never far away. The traffic noise can usually be heard at least 200m away and sometimes more, depending on the wind.
• There are tracks or horse rides you can follow or that can provide a clue to tell you where you are.
• At the bottom of any slope or incline there is usually a stream. Working out which direction the stream is flowing will help you navigate. Read on to learn about clues in each area of the Forest.
• Plains and larger clearings will also be marked on your map.

Clues in different areas of the Forest

Between the Robin Hood roundabout, Wake Arms roundabout and Loughton

Even in the centre of this area you are less than 800m (½ mile) from the nearest road. All the streams here eventually run southwards, down to Staples Road/Forest Road in Loughton.

Following the one main horse ride will take you either to the south-west or north-east.

If you find a tranquil pond deep in woodland on top of a hill, that’s Blackweir Pond, otherwise appropriately named in James Brimble’s book London’s Epping Forest (1950) as the ‘Lost Pond’… and you usually are when you first discover it! But, looking at your map, you will quickly be able to work out that you are virtually in the centre of that area of woodland and, from there, you can decide which way you want to proceed with your adventure.

In Bury Wood or beyond Cuckoo Brook in Fairmead Thicket

There are several rides that will eventually take you either northwards towards Hill Wood and High Beach or southwards towards Connaught Water and Chingford Plain. In the centre of the area are the Cuckoo Pits and Peartree Plain. If you follow down any stream you will eventually find Connaught Water.

Hilly northern part of the Forest

When you are walking in the hilly northern half of the Forest, especially in autumn and winter, remember one thing: at the bottom of a valley will be a stream! If the valley appears to be just a dry leafy hollow – beware! Invariably the wind-blown leaves are covering a boggy stream.

In Theydon Woods, the streams and valleys all slope down to the eastern side of the Forest.

The main Epping Road (B1393) runs along the flat top of the Forest ridge.

The main horse ride (the Green Ride) runs north-eastwards towards Epping or south-westerly towards Loughton.  ride running parallel with the Theydon Road will take you down into Theydon village.

So, always remember to ask yourself: where is the sun? It helps to keep your sense of direction.

Look at your map and notice what is around you and you won’t be lost for long.

But do not be afraid to wander for a while, without thinking about where you are going. This is one of the great charms of Epping Forest. Exploring like this is exciting and will help you find new places to enjoy.

And it’s always a pleasant surprise when you think you’re lost and then you realise where you are!

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This article is based on material from Ken Hoy’s book Getting to Know Epping Forest, first published in 2002 with a new edition forthcoming edited by Judith Adams.

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