Walking
Bedgebury now has new all-ability scenic walking routes promoting healthy living, including challenging health walks and calorie mapped trails.
Nordic Walking
Qualified instructor Amanda Price is now offering Nordic Walking sessions at Bedgebury.
Nordic walking was first developed in the 1930s to keep cross country skiers fit in the Summer months. It has been developed into a highly effective and enjoyable activity which is suitable for all fitness levels, and burns up to 40% more calories than normal walking. Come and try it for yourself at a free 1 hour taster session - enjoy the outdoors, get fit, have fun and socialise.
To book your session or find out more call Amanda on 07812 93298
Running
Bedgebury Forest is already popular with runners of all fitness levels. Our newly surfaced tracks and way markers have now opened up previously uncharted areas of the forest for runners. We also host an annual 10km charity run.
Orienteering
Our professionally-endorsed orienteering routes, designed by Saxon Orienteering (affiliated to the British Orienteering Federation) cater for all levels of expertise and experience.
The four courses range across Yellow (beginners), White (easy), Orange (intermediate) and Light Green (advanced) and vary from 1.6km to 2.7km.
Maps are available from the Bedgebury Visitor Information Office for 50p.
Wheelchairs
For wheelchair users, our new surfaces and gentler gradients allow better access to new parts of the Pinetum and forest. Some manual wheelchair users may need assistance. Please contact our visitor services team for more information - 01580 879820
Bedgebury Spring Trail
Come and enjoy our free spring trail which will take you on a tour to find the highlights of the National Pinetum. The mapped trail highlights seasonal features of particular interest and takes about an hour.
Pick up a free map from the Bedgebury Information Office.
Family Backpack Walk
School children love our mapstick walks. Now families can also enjoy a fun hands-on learning walk in the Pinetum. Simply pay £3.00 per sack, leave your keys as a deposit and be back before the office closes. Ask for the red bag which contains a picture guide book, binoculars, a magnifying glass and a bark rubbing kit.
Come back another time to try the extra science acticvites in the green bag or the extra maths activities in the blue bag.
This project is now featured on the BGEN (Botanic Gardens Education Network) website as an example of inspiring plant-based learning.
Health Walks
Come along and join our friendly group and enjoy the sights, sounds and scents whilst getting fit. No experience required and you will be encouraged to walk at your own pace. Wheelchair and pushchair friendly. No booking required, please meet at the visitor centre. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear.
Beginners Health Walk - Last Friday of each month - 10am
This walk is designed for those people who are not used to walking and would like to start gradually. It is also for those people who would find the moderate walk difficult. Walks last approximately 30 mins to 1 hour and we will cover between 1 and 4 km (0.5 and 2.5miles).
Moderate Health Walks - Every Friday - 10am
This walk is designed for those people who want to walk a little further and at a quicker pace than the Beginners walk. All walkers are still encouraged to walk at their own pace but we do venture out further into the forest. Walks last approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 30 mins and we cover between 4 and 6 km (2.5 and 3.7 miles).
For more information please call the Bedgebury Visitor centre on 01580 879820 or email bedgebury@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.
Please Note - For health and safety reasons any large groups wishing to join the Health Walks will need to receive approval 6 weeks prior to the date they would like to attend. We cannot guarantee to be able to provide enough walk leaders to accomodate large groups as leaders give us their time on a voluntary basis.
