4/5)About Tree Trail
Designed to be a bit more adventurous the Tree Trail takes you deep into Haldon Forest, passing through some of our tallest trees. Reaching heights of 42m (136ft) they tower above you like an ancient forest - but these trees are mere infants. Planted in 1922 they have the potential to get much, much bigger!
The first part of the walk will take you back through the mists of time, and into Buller’s Hill quarry, a geological Site of Special Scientific Interest. As you enter the quarry you pass a cliff face of greensand rock, deposited on a prehistoric sea shore 100 million years ago, when dinosaurs were stalking the Earth. The main part of the quarry shows a flint cliff face deposited 60 million years ago, after the dinosaurs had died out and mammals were taking their first tenuous steps towards dominance.
Moving on, the walk takes in a variety of different habitats to be found here at Haldon, from majestic trees to heathland areas and ponds. You can also glimpse great views of Dartmoor from various points along it.
All the work on the trail has been undertaken by volunteers, everything from ditch digging and step making through to cutting back vegetation. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer at Haldon Forest Park, follow the link on the right.
The trail is subtlely waymarked with designs scorched into tree stumps and logs, encouraging people to keep their eyes peeled, explore and discover for themselves!
How to get there:
Tree Trail can be started from Haldon Gateway in Haldon Forest Park. Exeter is the nearest town or village.
Travelling by car turn off the A38 at Exeter Racecourse and follow the signs for Haldon Forest Park. The Haldon Gateway Car Park is signposted further along the road on the left.
Please don't use our postcode in your Sat Nav! It will take you to the Forestry Commission Office and not the Haldon Forest Park visitor car park. Instead, carry on past the first gateway you see ('Office entrance only' is painted on the road there) and 200 metres on you will see the main entrance.
OS Grid Reference: SX884849
For details of public transport visit http://www.transportdirect.info
Wildlife
Mammals: There is a very good chance of seeing fallow deer on this walk, particularly if you are quiet. Fallow deer usually have characteristic white spots along their backs, but the rare genetics of the population at Haldon means they have black backs instead. We have information about Fallow deer
Habitats: We have information about Lowland heath
What's on in Haldon Forest Park
May
- Fun in the Forest Saturday 31 March 2012 to Friday 29 June 2012
- Nordic Walking Saturday 12 May 2012
Saturday 19 May 2012
Saturday 2 June 2012
Saturday 16 June 2012
Saturday 30 June 2012
Wednesday 16 May 2012
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Wednesday 27 June 2012
June
- Fun in the Forest Saturday 31 March 2012 to Friday 29 June 2012
- Nordic Walking Saturday 12 May 2012
Saturday 19 May 2012
Saturday 2 June 2012
Saturday 16 June 2012
Saturday 30 June 2012
Wednesday 16 May 2012
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Wednesday 27 June 2012
July
- Mamhead Nightjar Evening Tuesday 10 July 2012
Monday 23 July 2012
| Haldon Gateway Facilities. |
      |
| Grade of trail: |
  |
|
Trail waymarking:
Designs scorched into tree stumps and logs |
| Length of trail: 2.5 miles |
| Approximate time of trail: |
| Open or closed: open |
| Click here to find out what else you can do in this forest. |
Contact: |
| Haldon Forest Park Ranger's Office 01392 834251 |
Please tell us what you think...
Please email us at if you have an enquiry or would like a reply to your comments.
User Comments