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.
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!
- a circular route, so you can start and end them anywhere along the trail
- a start and end point conveniently close to public transport, where possible
You can discover some of the forest’s waymarked trails below.
Walks Under 5 Miles
Chestnut Trail - Wanstead Park (3.3 miles/5.3km)
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
Golden Hill Trail - Loughton (1.6 miles/2.6km)
Covers some undulating and uneven ground with its winding 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
Gifford Trail - Waltham Abbey (1.25 miles/2km)
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
Holly Trail - Chingford Plain (2.5 miles/4km)
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 Trail - Leyton Flats (3.5 miles/5.8km)
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
Lime Trail - Wanstead Flats (1.5 miles/2.5km)
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
Rowan Trail - Knighton Woods (1.5 miles/2.5km)
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
Willow Trail - Connaught Water (2.5 miles/4km)
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
Discover Epping Forest
Download our 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. Learn more here.
Join Our 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! Learn more here.