Epping Forest from Chingford
Ancient pollarded beeches, Connaught Water and a Tudor hunting lodge, straight from the end of the line.
- Distance
- 9.2 km
- Ascent
- 80 m
- Time
- 2–3 h
- Grade
- Moderate
- Route
- Circular
- High point
- 116 m
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Route mapped on from OpenStreetMap paths, with heights from EU-DEM terrain data; not yet checked on the ground by TRXO. Added to TRXO on . For planning only: always navigate with an up-to-date map such as OS Explorer or Harvey. How we make our routes.
About this walk
Epping Forest from Chingford is a moderate 9.2 km circular walk with 80 m of ascent, taking 2 to 3 hours. It starts at Chingford station (grid reference TQ 392 946). The start can be reached by public transport.
Epping Forest is a vast strip of ancient woodland on London's north-east edge, cared for by the City of London. Its old pollarded beech and hornbeam trees, cut for firewood for centuries and then left to grow, give it a strange, other-worldly feel.
This loop leaves Chingford station past Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, a timber-framed Tudor building on the forest edge, then circles Connaught Water before heading north through the woods towards High Beach and back. Paths are a mix of gravel rides and forest tracks that get muddy in winter.
Route
-
1
The Hunting Lodge
Walk up from the station to Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge on the edge of Chingford Plain.
-
2
Connaught Water
Drop to Connaught Water and follow the path round the lake.
-
3
Into the forest
Head north on the forest rides through the old beechwoods towards High Beach, then loop back south to Chingford.
Summit
Questions about this walk
- How long does Epping Forest from Chingford take?
- Most walkers take 2–3 hours for the 9.2 km route, which has 80 m of ascent. That allows for short stops; give yourself longer in winter, in poor weather or with a group.
- Where does the walk start, and where can I park?
- It starts at Chingford station (grid reference TQ 392 946). Car parks by the Hunting Lodge and Connaught Water.
- Can I get there by public transport?
- London Overground to Chingford, the end of the line. Check TfL Journey Planner for engineering works.
- How hard is it?
- It's graded moderate. Gravel rides and earth forest paths; muddy after rain. Gentle hills.
- Can I take my dog?
- Yes, dogs are welcome on this walk. Before you go: Cattle graze parts of the forest in summer: keep dogs under close control near them.
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