Parkhurst Forest Circular Walk
Isle of Wight
Parkhurst Forest covers around 395 hectares north-west of Newport and is the second largest forest on the Isle of Wight, its wide, mostly flat tracks giving a dog plenty of room to run off lead. It is owned and managed by Forestry England, and part of it is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a mix of ancient woodland, relict heathland and conifer plantation where James I once hunted deer. Today it is one of the island's strongholds for red squirrels, with a viewing hide on the squirrel trail, and nightjar and woodcock breed here. This 6km circuit starts from the free Forestry England car park and picnic area off Forest Road on the south-eastern corner of the forest and follows the broad gravel tracks and smaller paths in a loop through the trees. The walking is mostly flat on firm main tracks.
This dog friendly walk is one of the best places on the island to give a dog a proper off-lead run. There is no livestock in the forest, the tracks are wide, and the trees give shade on warm days. Keep an eye out for mountain bikers, and for horse riders, who can use the gravel tracks throughout the forest. The paths are not waymarked, so take a map or phone. Ground-nesting nightjars use the open heath in summer, so keep dogs on the paths there. There is no water or cafe on route, but Newport is a few minutes away.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 6.0 km (3.7 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 1 hr 40 min
- Walk Type
- Forest, Woodland, Heathland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- None
- Facilities
- Picnic area at the car park; no toilets, cafe or water on route; shops and cafes in Newport.
- Parking
- Forestry England car park off Forest Road (A3054), free.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Parkhurst Forest Circular Walk, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Dairy Cottage - Carisbrooke
Sleeps 6 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £583 / 7 nights
The Hayloft Cottage - Godshill
Sleeps 3 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £594 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in Isle of WightFrequently Asked Questions
Is Parkhurst Forest Circular Walk dog friendly?
Yes, it scores 8 out of 10 for dog friendliness. Forestry England welcomes dogs, the forest has no livestock, and the wide tracks and shady woodland make it a great place for a dog to stretch its legs. The one real caveat is the lack of water or facilities on route, so bring a drink for your dog and plan refreshments in Newport.
Can dogs be off lead at Parkhurst Forest Circular Walk?
Yes, for most of the walk. There is no livestock in Parkhurst Forest, so a dog with good recall can be off lead on the main tracks. Call your dog in when you meet horses or mountain bikes, which share the gravel tracks, and keep them on the paths across the open heath in summer, where nightjars nest on the ground. Red squirrels are common, so a keen chaser needs watching.
What should I know before visiting Parkhurst Forest Circular Walk with my dog?
The trails are not waymarked, so take a map or phone to follow the loop. The main gravel tracks are firm and flat, which suits older dogs, but side paths get muddy in winter. There is no water, toilets or cafe in the forest. The Forestry England car park off Forest Road is free, and the forest is open all day, every day.
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