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Best Forest Hikes in England

208 routes in England qualify, ranked below by how much walkers rate them. They average 7.7 km and 169 m (554 ft) of ascent, with the longest running to 122 km.

That is 10 percent of the 2,073 routes we map in England. They are shorter than the local average, 7.7 km against 21.7 km, which is what makes this a practical shortlist for a half day. They also climb less than the area average, 169 m (554 ft) against 476 m (1,562 ft), so they suit a recovery day or a group with mixed fitness.

Forest trails are the dependable choice: shade when it is hot, shelter when it is not, and a completely different character once the leaves turn. The mix is broad: 140 are rated easy and 13 are hard or harder, so there is something here whether you have two hours or a full day. A good share of them are loops, so you can park once and finish where you started.

Trails

Easy

Green Chain Walk section 2

England · United Kingdom

Distance
5.5 km
/ 3.4 mi
Elevation gain
122 m
Typical duration
1 hr 20 min
  • Forest
  • Panoramic viewpoint
  • Waymarked route
Easy

link to Abbey Wood station

England · United Kingdom

Distance
0.8 km
/ 0.5 mi
Elevation gain
17 m
Typical duration
11 min
  • Forest
  • Castle and ruins
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

London LOOP (Section 22)

England · United Kingdom

Distance
7.2 km
/ 4.5 mi
Elevation gain
159 m
Typical duration
1 hr 45 min
  • River
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Expert

The Shipwrights Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
82.6 km
/ 51.3 mi
Elevation gain
1,818 m
Typical duration
21 hr
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
Moderate

Broxbourne Woods NNR Trail

England · United Kingdom

Distance
15.4 km
/ 9.6 mi
Elevation gain
340 m
Typical duration
3 hr 44 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

London LOOP (Section 2)

England · United Kingdom

Distance
11.4 km
/ 7.1 mi
Elevation gain
251 m
Typical duration
2 hr 45 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

London LOOP (Section 4)

England · United Kingdom

Distance
14.2 km
/ 8.8 mi
Elevation gain
312 m
Typical duration
3 hr 25 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

London LOOP (Section 5)

England · United Kingdom

Distance
10.2 km
/ 6.3 mi
Elevation gain
223 m
Typical duration
2 hr 27 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Expert

Beacon Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
37.4 km
/ 23.2 mi
Elevation gain
822 m
Typical duration
9 hr 41 min
  • Lake
  • Forest
Moderate

Darnley Trail

England · United Kingdom

Distance
10.5 km
/ 6.5 mi
Elevation gain
231 m
Typical duration
2 hr 32 min
  • Lake
  • Forest
  • Wildlife watching
Expert

National Forest Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
122 km
/ 75.9 mi
Elevation gain
2,688 m
Typical duration
32 hr
  • Forest
  • Long-distance path
Moderate

Berry's Green Circular Walk

England · United Kingdom

Distance
12.8 km
/ 7.9 mi
Elevation gain
281 m
Typical duration
3 hr 5 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest
Moderate

Centenary Trail, Kinver Edge

England · United Kingdom

Distance
7.1 km
/ 4.4 mi
Elevation gain
156 m
Typical duration
1 hr 43 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

East Ruston Circular Walk

England · United Kingdom

Distance
9.7 km
/ 6.0 mi
Elevation gain
214 m
Typical duration
2 hr 21 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Forest of Mercia Way

England · United Kingdom

Distance
6.7 km
/ 4.2 mi
Elevation gain
148 m
Typical duration
1 hr 37 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Long Woodland Trail

England · United Kingdom

Distance
7.8 km
/ 4.8 mi
Elevation gain
171 m
Typical duration
1 hr 53 min
  • Forest
  • Waymarked route

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park Trail, Ullswater ValleyEngland6.8 km151 m1 hr 39 minModerateApril to October
Green Chain Walk section 2England5.5 km122 m1 hr 20 minEasyApril to October
Buttermere to Rannerdale Walk, North Lakes OutdoorsEngland4.6 km102 m1 hr 7 minEasyApril to October
Crags Constitutional Walk, Hardcastle CragsEngland2.7 km60 m39 minEasyApril to October
Lydford Gorge Waterfall trail, Lydford GorgeEngland1.5 km33 m22 minEasyApril to October
link to Abbey Wood stationEngland0.8 km17 m11 minEasyApril to October
London LOOP (Section 22)England7.2 km159 m1 hr 45 minModerateApril to October
The Shipwrights WayEngland82.6 km1,818 m21 hrExpertApril to October
Bradenham Countryside Trail, BradenhamEngland7.8 km172 m1 hr 53 minModerateApril to October
Broxbourne Woods NNR TrailEngland15.4 km340 m3 hr 44 minModerateApril to October

If you only have time for one, start with Aira Force and Gowbarrow Park Trail, Ullswater Valley, Green Chain Walk section 2, Buttermere to Rannerdale Walk, North Lakes Outdoors. Those are the routes people come back to. Every route on this page links through to a full guide with the map, elevation profile, seasonal advice and what to bring.

Frequently asked questions

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