Tall Trees Trail, Blackwater Arboretum Circular Walk

Full route: www.welshmanwalking.co.uk/talltrees

This is one of the easiest and most accessible walks in the New Forest, and it's very special. The Tall Trees Trail at Blackwater Arboretum takes you through a section of forest packed with enormous Douglas firs, redwoods and ornamental trees planted here over a century ago. Some of them absolutely tower above the path, giving parts of the walk a real Pacific Northwest sort of feel, not something you expect in southern England.

The route itself is short and straightforward, making it ideal for families, relaxed afternoons, or combining with a longer wander in the surrounding forest. What makes it stand out though is the atmosphere. The light filtering through the huge trunks, the smell of pine and damp earth, and the contrast between carefully planted arboretum and the wilder open forest around it all give this area a different feel to most New Forest walks.

You’ll also find plenty of New Forest history here too. The surrounding woodland forms part of the ancient royal hunting forest created by William the Conqueror nearly 1,000 years ago, while the arboretum itself became an important forestry experiment site during the 19th and early 20th centuries, testing tree species from around the world.

Distance: ~3–5 km circular (depending on added forest loops)

Duration: ~1-2 hours (longer with stops / photos)

Ascent/Descent: Minimal

Highest Point: Mostly flat throughout

Difficulty: Easy

Terrain: Gravel forest paths, woodland tracks, accessible surface
Best for: Families, photography, autumn colours, accessible walking, giant trees, peaceful forest atmosphere