Hainault Forest Country Park Circular
Essex
Hainault Forest is a surviving fragment of the medieval Forest of Essex, jointly managed by the Woodland Trust and London Borough of Redbridge with a country park lake, working farm and miles of waymarked trails. This dog friendly circular uses the surfaced multi-user trail network for an undulating loop through ancient hornbeam pollards, open meadows and around the boating lake.
Dogs must be on lead in the country park section but can run off lead in the wider Woodland Trust forest if recall is reliable. Be alert: horse riders use many of the bridleways and the trails are popular with cyclists. The terrain is generally easy on surfaced paths but woodland sections get muddy in winter. Two free Woodland Trust car parks (Lambourne Road and Manor Road) are the cheapest option, with paid Redbridge car parks beside the Forest Centre, cafe and play area.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 7.2 km (4.5 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr
- Walk Type
- Forest, Woodland, Park
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Low
- Facilities
- Forest Centre cafe, public toilets, play area and farm beside the lake. Pubs in Chigwell Row.
- Parking
- Two free Woodland Trust car parks on Lambourne Road and Manor Road. Paid Redbridge car parks at Fox Burrow Road via Ringo app (around five pounds twenty all day).
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