On 27th April, 200 walkers from Muslim Hikers, a community group championing diversity and inclusion in the great outdoors, joined us again in the beautiful Epping Forest and hiked a 14-mile trail in the north of the Forest.
Starting from Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge, the group walked through the ancient woodlands, passed Strawberry Hill Pond and the Lost Pond, stopped at Debden House Campsite for lunch break, heard stories about the Deer Sanctuary, paused at Ambresbury Banks, had a refreshment break at High Beach before returning to Chingford. There were short talks about the history and ecology of the Forest along the way.
Walkers at the Lost Pond
A huge thank you to all the partners and speakers supporting this walk:
- the City of London Corporation Epping Forest Team especially Ben Murphy for his warm welcome to the group, Georgie and Michelle at the View, and Forest Keepers Mark and Beth;
- London Borough of Newham, especially Shabnam and the team at Debden House Campsite
- FSC Epping Forest
- and Muslim History Tours
Thanks to the National Lottery Community Fund and the City of London Enjoying Green Spaces and the Natural Environment funding stream for the funding support.
And of course a final thanks to Haroon and the team and walkers from Muslim Hikers. We loved welcoming everyone to the Forest.
Photographer: @kadeer.ali_