Visit New Forest National Park for a great opportunity to explore and become acquainted with the old woods, remarkable heathland, beautiful towns, and hidden shoreline. Anyone who enjoys walking will appreciate the diversity on offer in the New Forest with miles of tracks and footpaths to be discovered where you can appreciate walking routes, short strolls, or long-distance hiking trails. Home to free-roaming ponies, donkeys, cattle, and red deer!
The 10 most beautiful hikes in New Forest
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![Rhinefield Tall Trees Trail](https://img2.oastatic.com/img2/49339468/320x320r/variant.jpg)
![A herd of red deer](https://img1.oastatic.com/img2/49350082/320x320r/variant.jpg)
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![The Parish Church of Brockenhurst, reputedly the oldest in the New Forest](https://img2.oastatic.com/img2/66998038/320x320r/variant.jpg)
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![Goatspen Car Park - Start](https://img3.oastatic.com/img2/51150264/320x320r/variant.jpg)
![Linford Bottom Car park](https://img0.oastatic.com/img2/51148106/320x320r/variant.jpg)
![Ivy Wood Car Park - Start](https://img1.oastatic.com/img2/51148017/320x320r/variant.jpg)
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Open the Route PlannerCan You Walk Through The New Forest?
Yes, you can walk through the New Forest. The New Forest offers a network of footpaths and trails that allow visitors to explore and experience the natural beauty of the area on foot. There are various walking routes available, ranging from short leisurely strolls to longer hikes, catering to different interests and fitness levels. The forest is known for its ancient woodlands, open heathlands, and charming villages, providing a diverse and picturesque backdrop for walkers. It's important to follow the designated paths and respect the forest's unique ecosystem, including the free-roaming ponies, cattle, and other wildlife that call the New Forest home.
The Solent Way
The Solent Way in the New Forest is a captivating long-distance walking trail that showcases the beauty of the Solent coastline. This 60-mile (96-kilometer) route spans from Milford-on-Sea to Emsworth, passing through the heart of the New Forest National Park. The trail takes you along picturesque estuaries, tidal marshes, and sandy beaches, offering stunning views of the Solent and the Isle of Wight. As you traverse the Solent Way, you'll encounter diverse wildlife, including wading birds and seals, and have the opportunity to explore charming coastal towns and villages along the route.
Stroll down the Solent Way and discover another side to the New Forest National ParkDistance 10 miles (16 km) Time 3-4 hours
Burley Circular Walk
Discover the idyllic village of Burley and its surrounding countryside on this circular walk. Wander through woodlands, across open moorland, and past charming thatched cottages. Look out for the famous New Forest ponies that freely roam the area and explore the delightful shops and tearooms in Burley.
This 15-mile walk take a complete circuit of the picturesque village of Burley in the New Forest. 10 miles in the morning and 5 miles in the ...
Beaulieu Heath
Explore Beaulieu Heath. Beaulieu Heath is located just west of Beaulieu village and is home to the Hatchet Pond which is a great picnic spot favourite and with its large and flat surfaces and expansive views of the Isle of Wight's hills, it's perfect for a family-friendly hike. There are multiple pathways here to explore here and are great for short distance walking. The pathways will take you through a variety of landscapes in which is made up of extensive heathland, as well as historic and beautiful forest in Rans Wood, followed by Hawkhill's broad-leaved and coniferous inclosure woodland.
This is a 15-mile walk. It starts at the disused airfield on Beaulieu Heath and takes a 10-mile 3/4 circuit of Beaulieu to lunch at the Royal Oak.
Lyndhurst Circular Walk
Another popular walk is the Lyndhurst Circular Walk, which offers a great combination of all the different terrain that the New Forest has to offer. The environment is known for its natural beauty, including heathland, bogs, mature woods, open areas, and newer plantings. The New Forest also still maintains commoning, a historic habit that allows livestock to graze freely, so you're likely to encounter a variety of animals.
A 15-mile walk to the West of Lyndhurst. This includes a welcome pub lunch at the New Forest Inn.I have rated this as medium because of the two ...
Bolderwood Woodlands
It's not always easy to detect deer in the New Forest, but in Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, there's a specially erected observation platform overlooking a huge meadow area where a herd of fallow deer gathers on a regular basis. On a calm day, the tracks pass past areas of Bolderwood's Ancient and Ornamental Woodland, where you may view a variety of species. While the deer sanctuary is the major attraction at Bolderwood, there are also graded trails and a big picnic area among the tall trees, as well as a New Forest information cabin operated by a Forest Ranger (which is not always open).
A short stroll from Bolderwood car park which leads you to a deer viewing platform overlooking fields where wild herds of fallow deer are regularly ...
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