Walking, cycling & riding
Visiting the forest
There are car parks across the forest, including 134 maintained by the Forestry Commission. Please use these car parks rather than parking on the verges or in front of gateways, as this can damage the land, and restrict us from getting to sick or injured ponies. During the winter a small proportion of car parks are closed to reduce wear and tear during the wetter months - find out more in car park closures. Download a map (PDF 299K) to show you all the roads leading into and around the forest, plus all the Forestry Commission car parks, and read on for some suggestions of places to start your walk from.
Walking The New Forest offers a number of way-marked trails and over 100 miles of cycle tracks which are suitable for those using wheelchairs or buggies. For more information click here. Click here to find out about routes in and around the New Forest that link up with the New Forest Tour Bus. Dog Walks Well behaved dogs are welcome throughout the New Forest, so get out and enjoy the fresh air together. If you are new to walking with your four legged friend in this area, why not try one of the waymarked walks below? On these you need no map, simply follow the wooden posts with a particular colour on them. Remember, your dog must not be allowed to disturb or chase livestock or wildlife. On the Open Forest, you must keep yourself and your dog to the main tracks from 1st March- 31st July, when rare birds nest on the ground. And please 'bag and bin' dog poo near car parks and on footpaths- it can be deposited in any litter bin. See the Cani- Card (PDF 120k) created for New Forest dog owners This business card-size document fits easily in a pocket or handbag, and has space for a passport-style photograph and detailed description of an owner’s pet. Forestry Commission rangers say; “You need to find a dog quickly if it gets lost. The big problem we have if we’re asked to keep an eye out for an animal is not knowing exactly what it looks like. Dog walking here is so popular that there’s almost bound to be several other pets of the same breed in the area. “But if an owner shows us a picture of the dog at the outset we have a much better chance of success. This applies no matter who they may ask to help find their pet.” The cani-card contains important telephone numbers too, including the Hampshire police, Lost Paws (the stray dog collection service), dog wardens, and the Forestry Commission, so people will know who to contact in any emergency.” Cani-cards are available free from rangers and the Forestry Commission offices, Lyndhurst, libraries and vets, and the local New Forest District Council dog wardens. Bolderwood
Situated on an old coaching route, Bolderwood has all the ingredients for a fantastic family day out. A viewing platform overlooks fields where wild herds of fallow deer can be seen. During the summer months the deer are fed between 1.30pm and 2.30pm each day giving everyone the chance to observe more closely these normally secretive creatures. Waymarked trails allow you to wander easily through the woods before enjoying a picnic under the trees - follow the deer watch trail, the radnor trail or the jubilee trail. An information unit is located here during the school holidays and weekends from Easter until the end of October.
Facilities: Toilets; access to cycle network; waymarked trail; disabled facilities; information; picnic area; observation point.
Download the Guide to Deer at Bolderwood Podcast (MP3 1.7MB) for your MP3 player here so while you are at the Viewing Platform you can also have a commentary about the deer species. Anderwood
Nestled in the trees, this shady car park is the perfect spot to enjoy a relaxing picnic whilst taking in the sights and sounds of the surrounding woodland.
Facilities: Toilets; access to cycle network; picnic area; barbecue site for hire. Knightwood
From this car park a waymarked trail - the Knightwood Oak Stroll - leads you across the road to one of the most famous trees in the New Forest. Believed to have been planted before 1600, this tree is still going strong and is a spectacular example of the ancient practice of pollarding.
Facilities: Access to cycle route; picnic area.
(Download the Knightwood Oak podcast for your MP3 player) Blackwater
Located beneath the majestic Douglas firs and redwoods of the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive, this car park is the starting point from which to take a stroll around the nationally important collection of trees at Blackwater Arboretum or wander beneath the mighty conifers on the Tall Trees Trail.
Facilities: Toilets; access to cycle network; waymarked trail; disabled facilities; picnic area. Whitefield Moor
If you are looking for somewhere to picnic or play games this extensive sunny site is ideal. There are also easy walks along the nearby Ober Water - the yellow route and the red route. Please do not feed, touch or scare the ponies and cattle that graze this grassy lawn.
Facilities: Toilets; access to cycle network; waymarked trail; disabled facilities; picnic area. Wilverley Plain & Inclosure
During World War II Wilverley Plain was ploughed and sown with much needed crops. Today this extensive grassy lawn provides valuable grazing for ponies as well as offering an ideal area for having a picnic or playing games. There is also easy access into the adjoining woodland and its waymarked trails from both ends of the car park.
Facilities: Toilets; access to cycle network; waymarked trail; disabled facilities; picnic area; barbecue for hire. Hatchet Pond
The largest body of water in the New Forest. Created in the 18th Century to provide power for an iron mill, the pond today provides valuable habitats for wildlife as well as being a scenic back drop for a picnic or wildlife watching. Its summer sunsets can be spectacular.
Facilities: Toilets; access to cycle network; disabled facilities; picnic area; fishing. Rufus Stone
Just over the road from this car park, set amongst ancient pasture woodland lies the monument which marks the place where King William II was killed. Many stories abound about his death but it is said that whilst out hunting, an arrow shot at a stag by Sir Walter Tyrrell glanced off a tree and killed the King. Bolton's Bench
Situated on the edge of Lyndhurst this car park provides a sunny, grassy location within strolling distance of the High Street and New Forest Museum. Moors Valley Country Park
Home to the famous playtrail with its oversized wooden woodland play structures, this 750 acre site has loads to offer for everyone from families looking for fun to those looking for a more sedate day out. There is cycle hire, orienteering, narrow gauge steam railway, golf course, a visitor centre with restaurant and country shop as well as miles of gravel and dirt tracks for easy exploration. Download the dog walking (PDF 191K) and out and about (PDF 264K) guides to the New Forest here.  Cycling
There are over 100 miles of way-marked cycle tracks across the forest including many off-road routes. They all follow well-defined tracks, old railway lines and minor roads and the network is easily accessible from the main railway stations in the forest - Ashurst, Brockenhurst and Sway. All routes begin with a marker post - you can follow the white arrow on the posts for the most direct route between the connecting villages, or purchase the cycle map for £1 to see all the connecting routes and find your own way!
There are many cycle hire shops across the New Forest. Visit the New Forest visitor and tourist information website to find the closest hire centre to you. Download the cycle code & map (PDF 1.9MB) here to find out more about the way-marked routes. Or click here to read about specific routes that link up with the New Forest Tour Bus. Click here (PDF 1078K) to download the route described on page 6 of Forest Focus 2007/2008 The following cycle routes will be temporarily disrupted: 1) Busketts Inclosure- the cycle route between junction 44 and the northern edge of the inclosure will be closed. A diversion sign will be in place. 2) Denny Wood - All sections of the cycle route are now open but cyclists should be aware of heavy vehicles using the tracks. 3) Knightwood Inclosure- ongoing felling work is taking place, the cycle route will remain open but heavy vehicles will be using the tracks. 4) Islands Thorns Inclosure- restoration work to the rivers and streams. Tracks will remain open but cyclists should be aware of heavy vehicles using the tracks.
 Horse Riding
Horse riders have always enjoyed open access to the forest, which is well furnished with suitable tracks. Seeing the forest from the back of a horse is an excellent way to see the forest's mature woods, shady streams, dappled glades and beautiful open heathland. Visit the New Forest visitor and tourist information site to find out where there are stables, and pick up a horse riding guide (PDF 218K) to understand more about horse riding in the forest.
|