The New Forest is England's oldest hunting forest created in1079 by William the Conqueror and the country's newest National Park designated in 2005. The New Forest covers 200sq miles (566sq Kms) of ancient woodlands, lowland heath, open grasslands and boggy mires. This rich tapestry of habitat provides a home for a wide variety of plants and animals some of which can only be found in the New Forest. The area is criss -crossed by miles of forest tracks and animal trails made by ponies, cattle and deer that roam free within the forest. Exploring these unique 'wildlands' slowly on foot is a truely immersive experience.
The New Forest is steeped in history and folklore, from Bronze age burial mounds to medieval hunting lodges and WW2 infrastructure. Its deer has been hunted for 1000 years and a King has been allegedly murdered whilst out hunting. Its timber has helped launch the finest battleships and its hidden byways and woodland glades have provided cover for smugglers and highwayman.
The New Forest has been inspiration for writers such as Arthur Conan Doyle (Sherlock Holmes) and Lewis Carrol (Alice in Wonderland) and a home for local characters such as Brusher Mills (Snakecatcher) and Sybel Leek (Burley White Witch) to name just a few. All this and more can be discovered on a Walk the New Forest guided walk.
Our typical guided walk will take 4-5 hrs of gentle pace walking with plenty of time for photo opportunities, wildlife spotting and comfort breaks. The trails are mainly gravel forest tracks and soft grassed single track so comfortable light weight trail shoes / boots are recommended. The terrain is fairly flat with some moderate uphill gradients to viewpoints. We recommend bringing a small day rucksack for carrying water bottle, snacks and a waterproof jacket.
Further information on each specific walk can be found in Our Walks section.
The 'Red Deer' Trail - This walk explores the central area of the New Forest home of the majestic red deer and mighty Douglas firs. The walk will start in Brockenhurst and venture into the most expansive area of oak and beech forest, visiting a deer observation area and Rhinefield Arboretum before returning back to Brockenhurst
Distance - 8miles/12k Duration - 4hrs
Trail index -moderate
The 'Sika Deer ' Trail - This walk starts in Brockenhurst and explores the south eastern area of the New Forest of wide open heathland, pine forests and the atmospheric Beaulieu River passing through the quaint village of Beaulieu before finishing at the heritage ship building village of Buckler's Hard.
Distance - 8miles/12km Duration - 4hrs
Trail index - easy
The 'Fallow Deer' Trail - This walk explores the north western area of the New Forest for a circular walk around the village of Burley. The walk will follow ridge top tracks, sunken paths and isolated woods where smugglers would hide contra band and stay hidden from capture. The landscape is full of mystery and intrigue more open with glimpses of the coast and the Isle of Wight before entering ancient pollard beech forest where fallow deer run free.
Distance - 8miles/12km Duration - 4hrs
Trail index - moderate