The best walks and hikes around Epping Forest

A huge region of woodland, heath, grasslands and lakes

Walks in Epping Forest take you into a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, thanks to the range of habitats found here. Unsurprisingly, it is a popular location for all manner of leisure activities, with hiking, cycling and horse riding the most prominent. There are three visitor centres: Epping Forest Gateway at Chingford, Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge and Bulter’s Retreat at High Beach, and the Temple at Wanstead Park.

Getting acquainted with Epping’s flora and fauna

There is a plethora of wildlife to look out for during hikes in Epping Forest. The woodland is home to the vast majority of Britain’s veteran beech pollards, which are inhabited by all manner of insects, birds, bats and funghi. In fact, the Epping is home to around 55,000 ancient trees, more than any other site in the UK. In spring, the woods and heath erupt with colour; wildflowers abound and there are as many as 28 species of butterfly, including the purple emperor and the white admiral.

The forest has had a long association with fallow deer. As a former royal hunting forest, deer hunting here was once the pastime of choice for the nobility. Deer parks in the region date from the 13th century and hunting took place up until the end of the 1800s. The Deer Sanctuary, to the southwest of Theydon Bois, was established in 1959 to protect the animals from the nearby busy roads.

For many, the best hiking trails in Epping Forest are those they can share with their faithful hound. The Code of Conduct for dog walkers states that your dog must be under effective control, though it is not required to be on a lead unless it does not respond to your call.

How to get to Epping Forest

Epping Forest is easily accessed by the London Underground, with District Line stations Buckhurst Hill, Loughton and Theydon Bois ideally situated to the east of the trails. At the southern end of the region, Chingford Overground station gives quick access to the beguiling Tudor history found at Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge and the popular lakeside trails at Connaught Water. Motorists are well served by a multitude of car parks around the forest.