Are you looking for your perfect Epping Forest walk? With over 284km of paths and trails across its 8000 acres, along with plenty to see and do, there are countless routes to choose from!

Whether you’re looking for recommended walking routes to explore in your own time, or looking for community activities (like our guided walks or annual ‘Big Walk’!), The Epping Forest Heritage Trust can help you explore the forest!

On this page:
Recommended Walking Routes
Guided Walks
The Epping Forest ‘Big Walk’!

Recommended Walking Routes – Waymarked Trails

 One of the best ways to explore Epping Forest is through one of the ten Forest Waymarked Trails. These designated walking trails have:

  • signposts, so you can find your way even if you’ve not walked it before!
  • are circular, so you can start and end them anywhere along the trail
  • start and end conveniently close to public transport, where possible

Click any of the links below to download the City of London Corporation’s handy one-page maps and info, so you can choose your perfect walk through beautiful Epping Forest.

 One of the best ways to explore Epping Forest is through one of the ten Forest Waymarked Trails. These designated walking trails have:

  • signposts, so you can find your way even if you’ve not walked it before!
  • are circular, so you can start and end them anywhere along the trail
  • start and end conveniently close to public transport, where possible

Click any of the links below to download the City of London Corporation’s handy one-page maps and info, so you can choose your perfect walk through beautiful Epping Forest.

ancient pollard tree on beech trail in Epping Forest

Beech Trail, High Beach

Uneven over various terrains, including steep inclines and surfaced Forest tracks in the north of Epping Forest between Waltham Abbey and Loughton. A circular walk through ancient woodlands including a Scheduled Ancient Monument, Loughton Camp. 

Start point: High Beach Visitor Centre
Time: Approximately 1.5 – 2 hours
Distance:2.5 miles / 4km

Epping Forest Heritage Trust Guided Walk April 2023

Chestnut Trail, Wanstead Park

This circular route follows the main tracks in this historic park with some sections across open grassland close to Wanstead and Ilford in East London. It is mostly flat with a few gentle inclines.

Start point: Warren Road entrance
Time: Approximately 2 hours
Distance: 3.25 miles / 5.2km

epping forest golden hill waymarked trial

Golden Hill Trail

Covers some undulating and uneven ground with its wending route threading amongst the trees. Some magnificent ancient trees are passed along the way as well as the enchanting Lost Pond. About 40 minutes walk from Loughton station. 

Start point: Golding’s Hill Pond
Time: Approximately 30 minutes
Distance:1.6 miles

epping forest waymarked trial gifford trial gifford wood

Gifford Trail, Gifford Wood

A circular walk across uneven ground which explores the newly-planted forest of Gifford Wood and the Buffer Lands of Oxleys and Potkiln Woods in Upshire, Waltham Abbey. 

Start point: Sergeant’s Green Lane
Time: Approximately 1 hour
Distance: 1.25 miles / 2 km

epping forest waymarked trial - holly trial chingford plain

Holly Trail, Chingford Plain

This circular route follows surfaced Forest paths with short sections across the open grassland of Chingford Plain. The route includes a gentle incline.

Start point: Chingford Plain
Time: Approximately 1 hour
Distance: 2.5 miles / 4 km

hornbeam trial layton flats epping forest waymarked trial hollow pond

Hornbeam Trail, Leyton Flats

Mainly flat along Forest tracks across open grassland and wooded areas around Leyton Flats, Hollow Pond and Gilbert’s Slade. There is a steep incline between Canada Plain and Waterworks Wood.

Start point: Snaresbrook Road
Time: Approximately 1.5 hours
Distance: 3.5 miles / 5.75 km

epping forest waymarked trial lime trial wanstead flats

Lime Trail, Wanstead Flats

Mostly level across grassland and through woodland. A circular walk around playing fields in Wanstead Flats and Bush Wood in East London. 

Start point: Harrow Road Sports Pavilion
Time: Approximately 30-40 minutes
Distance: 1.5 miles / 2.5km

epping forest waymarked trial oak trial ambresbury banks

Oak Trail, Theydon Bois

This trail is undulating, uneven and challenging. It uses tracks, pavements and well-trodden paths to guide you around ancient earthworks of Ambresbury Banks and past the Deer Sanctuary. 

Start point: Theydon Bois Underground Station (Central Line)
Time: Approximately 3-4 hours
Distance: 6.6 miles / 10.6km

epping forest waymarked trial rowan trial

Rowan Trail, Knighton Woods

Mainly flat route with a gentle slope through woodland areas over some uneven ground. Knighton Woods is an isolated fragment of the Forest between Woodford Green and Buckhurst Hill. 

Start point: Knighton Lane Car Park
Time: Approximately 45-60 minutes
Distance: 1.5 miles / 2.4km

epping forest willow trial connaught water

Willow Trail, Connaught Water

Mostly easy walking over a range of surfaced tracks and grassland. There is one short, steep slope up to the lake from Chingford Plain.

Start point: Connaught Water
Time: Approximately 1 hour
Distance: 2.5 miles / 4k

Walkers in Epping Forest - Big Walk 2023

Guided Walks

See Epping Forest in a new light with our guided forest walks! Led by forest experts, our guided walks offer the chance to learn more about the flora and fauna of the forest as well as Epping Forest’s historical roots. A great way to get outside and meet new people!

Epping Forest Big Walk Group Photo Wanstead Flats 2023

Epping Forest Big Walk

Stay-up-to-date with the latest news and information about our famous ‘Big Walk’, formerly known as Epping Forest Centenary Walk, Stretching from Manor Park in Newham, East London to Epping in Essex (14.1 miles), the Big Walk can be enjoyed in it’s entirety with our walking group or in easily accessible sections.

Epping Forest Walks App Download from Apple app store & google play

Epping Forest Walks app

Download our free GPS-enabled walking app that offers 20 fantastic trails throughout the Forest and its bufferland, including 10 official waymarked trails by City of London Corporation and the Epping Forest Big Walk.

Sunny foot path in Epping Forest with green meadows on both sides and a big green oak tree in distance

'Love Epping Forest Walks' Facebook Group

Love walking in Epping Forest? Why not join our Facebook group with like-minded people to share walk routes, recommendations and, photos.

Epping Forest Big Walk Map with Loughton Sign

Request a Free Map

Within the Epping Forest Big Walk Map, you will find the route to walk the whole length of Epping Forest, as well as potential shorter sections we have identified to enable you to walk parts of the route using public transport.