Discover the Best Epping Forest Walks: The Ultimate Guide
Last Updated on 03/06/2026 by Mayi
Looking to explore the great outdoors around London? Head for the Epping Forest Walks and take a stroll along the Hornbeam Trail or Oak Trail.
Epping Forest offers a perfect escape with its beautiful waymarked trails, including the popular Hornbeam Trail and Oak Trail. Here’s how to make the most of your visit and enjoy the best Epping Forest walks.
Rediscover the Joy of Walking in Epping Forest
Epping Forest is the ideal place to reconnect with nature, whether you’re walking with family, friends, or solo. Just moments from Central London, this ancient woodland spans over 7,300 hectares, providing ample space for a refreshing forest walk.
Epping Forest: A Historical Green Haven
Epping Forest is a former royal forest located between Greater London and Essex. It once formed part of the much larger Waltham Forest and now covers over 8,000 acres (3,237 hectares). Home to more than 55,000 ancient trees, around 100 lakes and ponds, and 284 km (176 miles) of walking trails, Epping Forest is the largest open space in London, offering numerous hiking opportunities.
Epping Forest Walks: Waymarked Trails
Epping Forest’s nine waymarked trails are well-signposted, making them easy to follow. These circular trails allow you to start and finish at any point, often near public transportation.
There are nine Epping Forest’s waymarked trails:
| Epping Forest Trails name | Distance | Duration |
| Beech Trail | 2.5 miles / 4km | 1.5 to 2 hours |
| Chestnut Trail | 3.25 miles / 5.2km | 2 hours |
| Gifford Trail | 1.25 miles / 2km | 1 hour |
| Holly Trail | 2.5 miles / 4km | 1 hour |
| Hornbeam Trail | 3.5 miles / 5.75km | 2 hours |
| Lime Trail | 1.5 miles / 2.5km | 1 hour |
| Oak Trail | 6.6 miles / 10.6km | 3 to 4 hours |
| Rowan Trail | 1.5 miles / 2.4km | 1 hour |
| Willow Trail | 2.5 miles / 4km | 1 hour |
Highlight: The Hornbeam Trail
After taking the Central Line, I met my friend in Wanstead. We stopped to have a well-deserved breakfast at Gail’s and then headed towards Snaresbrook station. From there, we continued on Snaresbrook Road and walked to the entrance of the forest by Eagle Pond. The pond is one of the oldest in Epping Forest and is a popular fishing area with a large concentration of swans.
Silvia lives near Epping Forest and has visited it many times. So, she suggested that we do the Hornbeam Trail this time. The Epping Forest Hornbeam Trail is a fairly easy walk that takes only a few hours. It is 5.75 km long and typically takes about 2 hours to complete. The Hornbeam Trail is easy to follow, with signposts clearly marked with arrows. It was a perfect late-morning walk for us!
A Day in Epping Forest
The walk through the forest and open grassland is quite easy since it is mainly flat and has fewer ups and downs than other trails. We saw plenty of families and dog walkers during our walks, so it’s a great place to bring along the little ones (including the dog!).
During our walks, we mainly stayed in the shade, which was great because it was hot and sunny! Epping Forest has many trees, and the most common type you’ll see during this walk is the hornbeam.
We came across several ponds, including Hollow Pond, which is popular in the summer for renting rowing boats and exploring the wildlife. There is also a playground if you’re visiting with children.
In addition to the numerous walking trails Epping Forest offers, it is also a great space for picnics and relaxation with a book. You just need to find a space in the shade, sit down, and watch the world go by. The forest is a perfect location to practice “shinrin-yoku” (forest bathing). As soon as I entered Epping Forest, I felt a sense of calmness. There is something about the rustling leaves, breathing in the fresh air, and letting the tranquillity of the forest energize you. Just like Highgate Woods, Epping Forest is perfect for “shinrin-yoku.”
Tips for a Successful Visit to Epping Forest
Here are the important details to keep in mind for your visit to Epping Forest:
- Dress comfortably and wear sturdy, comfortable shoes suitable for walking on uneven terrain. Layer up and wear shoes that will keep your feet dry, as the forest can be muddy. Consider bringing a raincoat for wet weather.
- Pack water, snacks, and a fully charged phone in a small backpack. You can download an offline map in case there is no phone signal. The Epping Forest walking trail maps are available here.
- If you prefer not to hike alone, consider joining walking groups to explore the forest. Here are some of the groups: Epping Forest Heritage Trust, West Essex Ramblers, and Forest Ramblers all offer walking events.
- Respect Nature: Follow the Countryside Code by taking your litter home, sticking to marked trails, and respecting wildlife.
- Epping Forest facilities: There are four tourist information centres in Epping Forest that provide all the necessary information to make the most of your walk or hike.
- Food and drinks: There are some cafes within the forest. However, for a better choice, I recommend selecting those around tube stations.
How to Get to Epping Forest from London
Public Transport
Epping Forest is accessible via the London Underground on the Central Line. You can reach it by stopping at Loughton, Theydon Bois, Snaresbrook, Buckhurst Hill, Wanstead, and Redbridge. Each tube station is just a short walk away from the forest. Additionally, you can take the Overground from Liverpool Street Station to Chingford. Some areas are also accessible by bus, but travel time may vary depending on the starting point. For more information, you can check out this useful Epping Forest map here.
Car
Several car parks are available if you plan to drive to the forest. However, it’s important to note that they tend to be busy on weekends. For information on parking fees and locations, please refer to this link – Car Parking Epping Forest.
Final Thoughts
A day spent exploring Epping Forest and its trails, like the Hornbeam Trail, is an unforgettable experience. Whether you visit in autumn for the magical fallen leaves or any other season, Epping Forest offers a perfect nature retreat just outside London. Plan your visit today and discover the beauty of Epping Forest walks.
Have you been to Epping Forest? Have you been on any of these Epping Forest walks? Add a comment below!
Travel Tips and Resources
Here are some of my favourite travel tips and resources.
- Flights: I’m all about snapping the best deals when it comes to booking flights. Therefore, I use Google Flights and Skyscanner to get the best deals each time. I use AirHelp to receive compensation for delayed and cancelled flights.
- Trains: I love using Trainline or Omio to book trains within Europe.
- Accommodations: Booking.com and Expedia are my favourite sites for great hotels and private home deals. They both offer a wide range of hotels, including luxury accommodations and private homes.
- Car Rentals: When it comes to travelling to remote destinations, renting a car is ideal, for these, I love renting cars through Discover Cars. They offer some great options for affordable rentals, and their customer service is one the best.
- Tours and Experiences: Visiting a new place also means getting to experience and do many things. I usually book tours via GetYourGuide, Tiqets, or TripAdvisor. If you like doing things solo, WeGoTrip offers audio tours and excursions.
- Travel Insurance: Proper travel insurance is recommended. I always travel with one. Use VisitorsCoverage to compare and get the best travel insurance policy for you.
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So happy to find some hikes easily accessible from London for our next trip!
Yes, there qre quite a few actually. All nice and easy to get to.
Epping Forest is lovely isn’t it! One of things I loved back about London is all these long distance trails through lovely forests, parks and along canals. I think we visited Epping Forest along one of the Green Link trails… I didn’t realize there are so many mini trail options available there!
p.s. love the swans!