Walks in New Forest National Park

When you want a change from the woods of New Forest, head down to Calshot Beach for a lovely coastal walk. Head east along the beach, and explore the fascinating history of the Calshot Castle, which guards the entrance to Southampton. Walk north among the rich marshes home to plenty of wildlife, then return along the coast. Don’t be afraid to stop for a swim if the weather is pleasant! There’s plenty of opportunities to customize your day on Calshot Beach and enjoy some time by the sea.

A beautiful place to get some fresh air, Hatchet Pond attracts walkers, joggers, bikers, families, and day-trippers who want to enjoy the lovely scenery along the New Forest’s largest body of freshwater. The easy and mostly flat circular route takes you on footpaths through grassland and back along the north shore of Hatchet Pond, with opportunities for you to spot wild ponies and gorgeous white swans. Note the paths can be boggy, so be sure to wear good shoes!

There are few New Forest routes as charming as the Bolderwood Circular Walk. With a variety of well-signed paths that lead through an impressive stretch of forest, it’s the perfect outing for outdoor lovers of all ages. Enjoy a stroll through the beech, oak, and sweet chestnut trees, crossing over rivers and exploring the woods. Don’t miss the Bolderwood Deer Sanctuary, where whole herds of fallow deer mingle and wait for feedings from the local keeper! This is a very accessible walk that everyone can enjoy

The Lyndhurst Circular Walk begins and ends at one of Lyndhurst’s most notable landmarks, Bolton’s Bench, a lovely knoll where legend has it a brave knight and a fearsome dragon perished during battle. From here the trail takes you through the grassy plains where ponies graze, along lovely footpaths in the woods, across rivers and past a golf course. Along the way you’ll get to enjoy some interesting sights and the great scenery the New Forest is renowned for.

Located in the heart of the New Forest, Brockenhurst is blessed with lots of natural beauty and scenic spots, including wide open grassy plains where ponies, pigs and donkeys nibble and graze. Follow the circular Brockenhurst Village Walk route to explore this charming town and head off on paths along the rivers, bridges, water splashes and woodlands that surround it. The Brockenhurst Village Walk is the perfect day trip that combines a foray into the quaint village of Brockenhurst and the famed landscapes of the New Forest.

The Blackwater Arboretum Circular Walk is a short and easy forest stroll suitable for New Forest visitors of all ages and abilities, including kids and pets. With just over 1.0 km to walk, it’s a nice little outing through a curated collection of trees from all over the world, including some of the oldest fir trees in the UK and a pair of impressive giant redwoods. You’ll also spot some notable wood carvings of giant acorns and pine cones that dot the trail. The Blackwater Arboretum Circular Walk is popular with horseback riders, though you also have a good chance to spot wild New Forest ponies.

The Wilverley Inclosure, located in Brockenhurst around the southern side of New Forest National Park, offers an accessible and enjoyable path that walkers and bikers of all ages can enjoy. The route starts and ends at the Wilverley Inclosure Car Park and winds its way through mature trees and dense woods with just a handful of steeper hills and inclines. Visitors are sure to like the impressive views of towering forests and young woodlands that line the path, plus a few scenic rest spots and benches. At the flat open spaces of the Wilverley Plain, it’s common to catch sight of wild ponies, cattle, and deer.

A visit to the Knightwood Oak is a short but sweet walk that makes for a great addition to a day in the woods. This monumental tree is known as the “Queen of the Forest,” and for a good reason: it's quite a sight as the largest in New Forest! A straightforward gravel path leads to, from, and around the tree, making this walk suitable for outdoor lovers of all ages and abilities.

The Lymington Circular Walk is a lovely circular route from the historic port town of Lymington along the coastline of the Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve, a hub for migratory birds and other wildlife. With a well-maintained path and a variety of landscapes, including marinas, rivers and marshes, it’s a great walk that’s best combined with a visit to one of Lymington’s charming pubs afterwards. The Lymington Circular Walk is mostly flat, making it suitable for walkers of all ages and abilities, including four-legged friends.

Walk through Acres Down in New Forest and explore the beautiful surroundings. Meet some of the wildlife that roam this area or some horses that have come to walk the path. Wander through one of the largest unenclosed pasture lands left in this part of England.

Bramshaw Wood is a gorgeous stretch of forest to explore and is easily accessible from nearby Nomansland. This circular walk follows a few of the many paths that weave through the Wood, providing face-to-face encounters with towering beech and oak giants. The Bramble Hill Hotel makes for a unique point of interest; the old forest lodge converted into accommodations for visitors. A lovely choice for a day amongst the trees!

If you’re in the Lyndhurst area, the Emery Down Circular Walk is a must! This route covers verdant woods, sprawling meadows, and multiple forest streams, with plenty of wildlife to spot. The paths leading from the village of Emery Down and back again can be winding and muddy, but that shouldn’t deter you from exploring this beautiful slice of the New Forest National Park. With just enough elevation change to keep you engaged, this is a great outing for adventurers of all ages.

A stroll through Denny Wood is a lovely walk through some of the most gorgeous woodland in all of New Forest. The circular walk follows clearly built paths for most of the route, through beech and oak trees that herds of wild deer call home. Woodpeckers, owls, and butterflies can be seen flitting between the branches, with colourful patches of flowers interspersed throughout. A great choice for an afternoon outdoors!

The Solent Way is a 96.6 km footpath along the Hampshire coast, passing through the New Forest and providing walkers with glorious views of the Solent and its surroundings. This walk covers the section from Lymington to Beaulieu, starting east along the coast before turning north as you stroll through verdant woods and historic villages. With plenty of interesting places to stop and explore, there’s something on this Solent Way walk for everyone!

A walk through Rhinefield and Vinney Ridge provides a slice of the New Forest’s best flora. This circular route starts from a convenient car park and winds through the Vinney Ridge Inclosure, with a stop at the Blackwater Arboretum as the crown jewel of the route. Douglas firs, redwoods, and even towering sequoias delight visitors to this area on each and every visit!

The charming old village of Burley is a great place to start and end a walk in the New Forest. Set out on the Burley and Shappen Hill Walk to explore the routes and footpaths that meander through fields and open healthland full of birds, deer, cattle and ponies. You’ll also come across the relics of an old abandoned railway crossing on the way to Shappen Hill as you head back towards town. After the circular walk, be sure to enjoy tea at one of Burley’s many quaint tea shops or pop into the pub.

Imagine a time of folklore, witches and dragons as you walk through the quaint old village of Burley, a small but scenic spot in the New Forest. The Burley Village Walk starts at the Burley War Memorial and takes you on a circular trail around the outskirts of the village, onto footpaths through the forests and up Castle Hill Road past ancient fort ruins. Along your walk you’ll cross rivers and bridges, enjoy the scenery of the New Forest, and get great views of the Avon Valley below.

This pleasant walk from Landford through Hamptworth and back is a lovely option for a short stroll. The first section follows a wooded track and grassy paths up through fields and forests towards the Hamptworth Golf & Country Club. Stroll through the southern edge of the Langley Wood National Nature Reserve, then follow a well-signed path south along fields and over rivers back to the track you came in on. A nice mix of scenery to enjoy on this circular walk.

The Deerleap Enclosure is a wonderful walk for all ages - pets included! With clearly defined paths and easy access from Ashurst, getting around is a cinch. The gravel tracks are great for bikes, and it’s a favourite for dog walkers. Plus you might just spot a few wild ponies or deer trotting through the woods!

The Fritham Circular Walk is a pleasant choice for a straightforward loop through the New Forest. From the car park just outside the village, a stroll unfolds along wide tracks with plenty to see on all sides. From open areas into the woods, over rivers and back along a track on the opposite side of the forest, it’s lovely scenery from start to finish. The Royal Oak is the perfect way to cap the walk, renowned as one of the best country pubs in all England!