Hatfield Forest Circular Walk

Hatfield Forest is one of the finest surviving examples of an ancient royal hunting forest in England, and this 4.8 km circuit near Bishop's Stortford weaves through veteran oak and hornbeam woodland, open grassland and alongside calm forest lakes. The landscape has been managed for nearly a thousand years, creating a sense of timelessness — massive pollarded trees, wide rides and open chases give the forest a character quite unlike modern woodland. The walking is easy and flat throughout, with well-maintained paths and a peaceful, unhurried atmosphere.

Dogs are welcome on this dog friendly walk, though leads are required in areas with grazing livestock — and livestock density is high, with cattle and deer present throughout much of the forest. Off-lead potential is low as a result, but the rich sensory environment of ancient woodland still makes this a rewarding outing. Veteran trees, deep leaf litter and the varied ground between woodland and grassland provide excellent scenting for dogs. The easy terrain suits dogs of all ages. The forest is managed by the National Trust, and parking is available on site.