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Ringwood Forest


(Average user rating4 unrated 3.8/5)

About Ringwood Forest

Situated on the edge of Ringwood, this extensive area of pine woodland and heathland glades is the perfect area of explore on bike or by foot. Also home to Moors Valley Country Park with the famous adventurous Play Trail.

How to get there:

Ringwood Forest is part of Dorset Woodlands. Verwood/Ashley Heath is the nearest town or village.

Ringwood Forest covers a large area with the easiest and main access point being the car park at Moors Valley Country Park. This is located off the Horton Road just North of Ashley Heath (Moors Valley Country Park is signposted off the A31 at the A338 roundabout).

Bus routes do not go to the Moors Valley County Park entrance but you can catch the X34 from Bournemouth or Ringwood to Ashley Heath which is on the edge of Ringwood Forest only a short walk from the Moors Valley Country Park facilities.

OS Grid Reference: SU108058
For details of public transport visit http://www.transportdirect.info

Start your visit from:

Dorset Horse Riding
Moors Valley Country Park

Other places to go in Dorset Woodlands

FAMILY ON THE TREE TOP TRAIL IN MOORS VALLEY COUNTRY PARK

Facilities:

ToiletsParking ChargeInformationParkingEasy AccessVisitor CentreRefreshmentsForest Shop

Activities:

Horse RidingOther ActivitiesWalkingCyclingEducationalFishingWildlife ActivitiesOrienteeringBarbecuePlay AreaView Point
cycling

You are welcome to cycling but please keep to gravel tracks. There are way-marked cycling routes through Ringwood Forest starting from Moors Valley Country Park.
horse riding

Horse riding is permited in Ringwood Forest. For more information about how to obtain a riding permit please contact the recreation section on 023 8028 6838

Contact:

General Enquiries

023 8028 3141
e-mail: enquiries.southern@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

User Comments

5 Stars 5 Stars

A really nice single track loop (blue rated). Perfect for beginers and a great adventure for familys. Or ride it flat out for a lung-burning leg-trebling half hour lap. Part of the way round the track you come close to the Northshore and DH tracks and pump/jump track of watchmoor forest. These tracks are a load of fun and there is something for everyone and all bike types catered for. The best riding location in the area with out a doubt. Just a bit of a bugger to find. The simplest way to find the tracks and the loop (also to avoiding paying for parking at moors vally) is: Get of the A31 just after Ringwood sign posted to Verwood. B3081verwood road. Continue along this for a few mins untill you come across a forestry commision carpark on the left. Park here and ride left through the forest to discover the DH/Northshore/Pumptrack and straight on out of the car park and keep eyes peeled for the marker posts for the single track loop. Its marked as watchmoor wood NW of ringwood on google maps. Enjoy

Rob, 5/May/2012
4 Stars 4 Stars

Just cycled the newly completed blue single-track trail - congratulations to you and 1SW for producing a cycling trail that's way more interesting than cycling along a wide, anonymous gravel forest track.

Paul, 3/Mar/2011
4 Stars 4 Stars

Pretty cool forest for cycling and especially walking(5 star)the only downside is the trails are not that well marked out.

Lynford Walker, 18/Sep/2010
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Please email us at enquiries.southern@forestry.gsi.gov.uk if you have an enquiry or would like a reply to your comments.

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What's of interest

Bring your bicyles and wear the kids out on our waymarked cycle trails.

Test your balance and sense of adventure of the specially designed Play Trail.

Join one of our special events to discover the wildlife and hidden secrets of Ringwood Forest. Take a ride on an authentic miniature stream train at Moors Valley Country Park.

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