Eggesford Forest Walk
Devon
Eggesford Forest sits on the slopes of the Taw valley between Crediton and Barnstaple, and it holds a special place in British forestry: the very first Forestry Commission planting took place here, at Flashdown, in 1919, and the Queen's Stone marks the planting of the Commission's millionth acre. With no livestock expected under the trees, a dog with good recall can spend most of this 5km walk off lead. The forest is made up of three woods, Heywood, Hilltown and Flashdown, and this walk starts from the car park off the A377. It follows forest roads, rides and tracks through mixed woodland with some fine Douglas firs, including a veteran planted around 1840, past pretty streams and the grassy mounds of a motte and bailey castle, the remains of a Norman fort. The going is on forest roads and tracks, with an estimated 100 metres of climbing on the valley sides. The trails are not waymarked, but the Tarka Trail crosses the forest for part of the way.
This is a dog friendly forest and a popular place for local dog walkers. The woods are quiet, with no livestock expected under the trees, so a dog with good recall can have plenty of off-lead time on the forest roads, with streams for a drink and deep shade in summer. Keep an eye out for forestry operations, which can close tracks, and for deer. There are no facilities in the forest. The Old Court House Inn in nearby Chulmleigh, a historic building dating in part from the 1630s, is dog friendly.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 5.0 km (3.1 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Forest, Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- None in the forest. The Old Court House Inn in Chulmleigh is dog friendly (gps-routes); Eggesford Garden and Country Centre nearby.
- Parking
- Forestry England car park at the Queen's Stone, just off the A377; further parking at Hilltown.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Eggesford Forest Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in DevonFrequently Asked Questions
Is Eggesford Forest Walk dog friendly?
Yes, it scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness. It is a quiet, shady Forestry England wood with streams, forest roads and no livestock expected, and there is a dog friendly pub in Chulmleigh. It misses a higher score because there are no facilities on site and the trails are not waymarked.
Can dogs be off lead at Eggesford Forest Walk?
Yes, this is a good off-lead forest for a dog with reliable recall. There is no livestock expected in the woods, and the forest roads and rides give plenty of room. Deer live in the forest, so keep chasers close, and put your dog on a lead near the A377 at the car park and anywhere forestry work is under way.
What should I know before visiting Eggesford Forest Walk with my dog?
The trails are not waymarked, so take a map or follow the forest roads. Check for forestry operations, which can close tracks. There are no toilets or cafe in the forest, so bring water. Parking is at the Forestry England car park off the A377, and the Old Court House Inn in Chulmleigh welcomes dogs.
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