Saturday, 20 July 2013

Coastal rail trails

South West Coast Rail Trails

Summer is the perfect time of year for a walk on the South West Coast Path – it's also the perfect time for traffic jams as people head for the coast! Help is at hand with a new series of walking itineraries that let the train take the strain out of travelling to the South West, arguably one of the most scenic train journeys in the UK. You'll arrive at your destination refreshed and ready for the spectacular walk ahead.

Click here South West Coast Rail Trails

And what could be better for those summer coastal walks than a pair of Teva Drain Frame Summer Sandals

While you're out making the most of this heat wave by coastal walking, hitting up the beach, jet-skiing off the bay, or fishing for the ultimate catch, the last thing you want is for your waterlogged shoes to weigh you down.

Add the annoying 'flip squish' sound characteristic of flip-flops and it almost seems worth ditching them altogether and instead burning your bare feet on the scorching sand to avoid these footwear foibles.

Or it did, until now…

Teva are excited to introduce their new range of specially draining summer sandals and walking shoes, guaranteed to eliminate all your water sport shoe woes in one fell swoop. The Drain Frame from Teva drains water like a sieve, saving you from the misery of waterlogged shoes.

Visit Teva in the Walks And Walking shop here.

Wednesday, 17 July 2013

5 best UK walks

5 Best UK Walks

The first of these 5 Best UK Walks is in Tintagel, near Camelford in Cornwall. Tintagel is famous for Tintagel Castle and the spectacular Rocky Valley where this walk takes you along a good stretch of the South West Coast Path, an area protected by The National Trust.

Next up for these 5 Best UK Walks is Hayfield in the Peak District of Derbyshire with a walk that follows the path of BBC drama The Village. This walking route includes Kinder Scout and Lantern Pike including walking across the wild moorland plateau and valley. Another of the 5 Best UK Walks of distinction is the Aysgarth Falls in the Yorkshire Dales walking along the River Ure into Wensleydale and up to Bolton Castle.

The penultimate of these 5 Best UK Walks on the list is Gasmere and Rydal in the Lake District, a unique low-level walk along the river banks of Grasmere and Rydal Water with gorgeous views of the mountains from Loughrigg. The final walk is Moel Famau in Denbighshire, North East Wales. This walk takes you up to Moel Famau, the highest peak in the Clwydian Range and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. At the top is the Jubilee Tower which offers splendid views including Snowdon and the city of Liverpool.

You can read the full article here, which also includes an offer for a free copy of Country Walking magazine. For more walking routes click here.

Wednesday, 10 July 2013

Walking GPS


The Walking GPS Garmin Oregon 600 GB Discoverer is a brand new product to the market and part of the new rugged and waterproof GPS Oregon series. They've packed in more features, more power and the most brilliant, sunlight readable touchscreen they have ever put on a Garmin handheld. 

Ordnance Survey are offering an exclusive offer – Bundled with the handset is GB Discoverer™ 1:50K Ordnance Survey mapping for the whole of Great Britain on one microSD card.

You can check out the best deals on the  Walking GPS Garmin Oregon 600 GB Discoverer over at Ordnance Survey, the map specialist, here.

Saturday, 6 July 2013

Way marked trails in epping forest

Epping Forest  - Way Marked Trails in Epping Forest has plenty of beautiful scenic attractions, walks, trails, outdoor activities, things to see, places to eat and places to stay. The City of London, who manage the Epping Forest estate, have been working with the Heritage Lottery Fund provided by the National Lottery to create a series of Way Marked Trails in Epping Forest

Following the distinctive 'green arrows' the aim is to make walking in Epping Forest more inviting and accessible for walkers of all abilities, families with children or seniors, and anyone else looking to explore this magical ancient royal hunting woodland forest.

I have completed all of the Way Marked Trails in Epping Forest with the exception of the Beech Trail, which I will do at some stage and then re-edit this article to include the full descriptive walking route, photographs and map.

1. Click here for the Willow Trail Walk which is a simple 3 mile classic family circular walk around Connaught Water.

2. Click here for the Holly Trail Walk which is another simple 3 mile classic family circular walk around Chingford Plain.

3. Click here for the Lime Tree Trail Walk which is a lovely family 1 mile walk in Leytonstone starting at Harrow Road Sports Pavillion.

4. Click here for the Oak Trail Walk which is a gentle 7 mile circular walk to the deer sanctuary and Ambresbury Banks starting in Theydon Bois.

5. Click here for the Hornbeam Trail Walk which is a short 3 mile Epping Forest family walk starting in Snaresbrook at Eagle Ponds.

6. Click here for the Chestnut Trail Walk which is a simple 4 mile classic family circular walk starting in Wanstead Park.

You can download the official Way Marked Trails in Epping Forest here, where you can also find out more information about the City of London and the great work they are doing for maintaining and preserving Epping Forest.

Saturday, 22 June 2013

Hornbeam Trail

Epping Forest The Hornbeam Trail Walking Route

This short Epping Forest family walking route starts in the Snaresbrook road car park by the Eagle Ponds. At the back of the car park is the main track in to Epping Forest where you will find The Hornbeam Trail map on your right hand side with the distinctive Green Arrow sign posts and waymarkers clearly dotted along this thoroughly enjoyable walking route.

Epping Forest has been investing in developing lots of new walks in Epping Forest and this is another one that is extremely easy to follow, not too muddy and, at just over 3 miles, suitable for all of the family who want to enjoy a leisurely hour or so in this part of Epping Forest at Hollow Ponds.

Epping Forest The Hornbeam Trail Walking Route

Tuesday, 11 June 2013

30 Walks In Epping Forest

30 Walks In Epping Forest

This is a simple to follow guide to over 30 of the best walks and walking routes in Epping Forest, including Easy Epping Forest WalksMedium Epping Forest Walks and Long Epping Forest Walks.

Easy Epping Forest Walks

Easy walks that are suitable for all of the family, mostly up to 5 miles which should take a leisurely 2 to 3 hours to complete. Epping Forest can be quite muddy so it is advisable to wear a good pair of walking boots or waterproof walking shoes. Facilities can be quite limited in Epping Forest with High Beach being the most central location for refreshments and toilet facilities. For more information about Epping Forest visit here.

Knighton Wood and Lords Bushes Walk
An easy 1 mile walk suitable for all of the family and small children through this small island of Epping Forest, can easily be extended by an extra few miles if required.

Horseshoe Hill Walking Route
The perfect walk for an adventurous toddler covering just over 1 mile in Epping Forest with plenty of streams and special cut-throughs to keep them entertained.

The Ditches Epping Forest
An easy, but very muddy, 2 mile walk from The Ditches car park to the Epping Forest Deer Sanctuary and back.

Gunpowder Park Walk
A simple 2 mile circular walk in Gunpowder Park offers leisurely walking routes in an area of conservation near Waltham Abbey.

South Woodford Walk
An easy 3 mile linear walk from South Woodford to Chingford following the Epping Forest Centenary Walk.

Willow Trail Walk
A simple 3 mile classic family circular walk following The Willow Trail, one of the official Epping Forest walking routes, around Connaught Water.

Epping Forest Family Walk
A 3 mile family stroll randomly around the ancient woodlands of Epping Forest from High Beach.

Holly Trail Walk
A simple 3 mile classic family circular walk following The Holly Trail, one of the official Epping Forest walking routes, starting in Chingford.

Chestnut Trail Walk
A simple 4 mile classic family circular walk following The Chestnut Trail, one of the official Epping Forest walking routes, starting in Wanstead.

Wanstead Park Walk
A gentle 4 mile circular walk in Wanstead Park, lakes and woodland on well maintained walking routes, tracks and paths.

Gifford Wood Walk
A good 5 mile official Epping Forest walking route from Lodge Road to Copped Hall, Upshire and Warlies Park to the new Gifford Wood and back.

Family Favourite Walk
An awesome 5 mile circular walk from Chingford taking in all of the best sights of this part of Epping Forest. Following the main walking routes this walk starts at Chingford Plain and takes you to High Beach, Loughton Camp, Kate's Cellar, Strawberry Hill Ponds, Connaught Water and the Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge.

Medium Epping Forest Walks

These walks are typically between 5 to 10 miles long and can be quite challenging. These types of walks can take between 3 to 5 hours to complete at a good walking pace. Epping Forest has a myriad of pathways so always make sure you have a paper or digital map with you and take refreshments and plenty of liquids with you to keep hydrated. There are plenty of Epping Forest Fallow Deer, Muntjacs and other wildlife to be found on these walking routes so it is always worth keeping as quite as you can to avoid scaring them off before you get to see them!

Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge Walk
An easy 6 mile circular walk from Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge to High Beach and back via the Epping Forest Green Ride walking routes.

Chingford Walk
An easy 6 mile circular walk from Chingford to the famous Epping Forest Bikers Cafe.

Pole Hill Walk
An easy 6 mile circular walk from Chingford to Pole Hill Obelisk and back via the Epping Forest Centenary Walk.

Gilwell Park Walk
A good 6 mile circular walk around Gilwell Park, home of the Scout Association, with a Secret Bluebell Wood Video as an extra bonus!

High Beach Church Walk
A simple 7 mile circular walk from Chingford to High Beach Church and back via the Centenary Walk, one of Epping Forest's most well known walking routes.

Oak Trail Walk
A gentle 7 mile circular walk along The Oak Trail, one of the official Epping Forest walking routes, including buffer lands, deer sanctuary and Ambresbury Banks.

High Beach Walk
A good 7 mile circular High Beach walk from Connaught Water in Chingford including a visit to the Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge.

Upshire Walk
A good 7 mile circular walk from High Beach, in the heart of Epping Forest, following The Forest Way walking routes through to Upshire and Copped Hall Gardens.

Waltham Abbey Walk
A leisurely 7 mile circular walk from Waltham Abbey through the Epping Forest Lee Valley Park walking routes and the Royal Gunpowder Mills.

Chipping Ongar Walk
A good 7 mile circular walk in Chipping Ongar starting at the unique Log Church in Greensted following the Essex Way walking routes and back via the Three Forest Way to Ongar Castle Motte and Baileys.

Jacks Hill Walk
A good 7 mile circular walk from Jacks Hill in Theydon Bois including a visit to the Epping Forest Deer Sanctuary.

Kates Cellar Walk
A decent 7 mile circular walk starting and finishing in Chingford, exploring Epping Forest's Kate's Cellar at Loughton Camp.

Ambresbury Banks Walk
A solid 8 mile circular walk from High Beach to Ambresbury Banks Fort and then following the main Epping Forest walking routes to Loughton Camp near Loughton.

Essex Way to Epping Walk
A solid 8 mile linear walk along The Essex Way walking routes from Chipping Ongar to the ancient woodlands of Epping Forest.

Deer Sanctuary Walk
A solid 9 mile circular walk starting in Debden following popular walking routes to Abridge, Theydon Bois and then back via the Epping Forest Deer Sanctuary at Birch Hall.

Epping Green Walk
An easy 9 mile linear walk starting in Epping Green following The Forest Way walking routes to the Centenary Way and ending at Chingford Plains.

Hainault Forest Country Park Walk
An easy 9 mile linear walk from Hainault Forest Country Park folloowing the Three Forests Way and London Loop walking routes to Chingford.

Waltham Abbey to Epping Walk
An epic 9 mile linear walk from Waltham Cross to Epping Town via Waltham Abbey and Epping Forest following the historic Green Lanes walking routes.

Long Epping Forest Walks

These walks are typically over 10 miles where you can really immerse yourself in Epping Forest and try some of the lesser known walking routes and hidden treasures, taking in as many as you can on a day long walk. Always be fully prepared for good long walks and long distance walking routes taking plenty of fluids, refreshments and plenty of plasters just in case!

Copped Hall Walk
A great 10 mile circular walk from Loughton to Copped Hall House, using some of the most popular walking routes in Epping Forest.

Loughton Walk
A solid 10 mile circular walk from Loughton to Jack's Hill and Copped Hall House following well known Epping Forest walking routes.

Gifford Wood Walk - Extended
A good 10 mile official Epping Forest walking route from extended from Theydon Bois to the start at Lodge Road to Copped Hall, Upshire and Warlies Park to the new Gifford Wood and back down to Theydon Bois via the Epping Forest Deer Sanctuary.

Abridge Walk
An easy 11 mile circular walk from Hainault Forest Country Park to Abridge and back folowing popular Essex walking routes.

Queen Boudicca Walk
An epic 12 mile circular walk, and one of my Epping Forest favourite walking routes, from Epping Town to Ambresbury Banks and the Queen Boudicca Obelisk with plenty of sightings of the Epping Forest Fallow Deer at Copped Hall.

Theydon Bois Walk
A solid 13 mile circular walk from Theydon Bois following The Essex Way walking routes to the Roman Road and Gernon Bushes Nature Reserve.

Epping Forest District Walk
An easy 14 miles circular walk from Epping Station to Birching Coppice, North Weald Bassett, Hastingwood and back via Thornwood. This is another of my favourite Epping Forest walking routes.

The Forest Way Walk
The Forest Way is a 25 mile long distance linear walk along the walking routes, footpaths and green lanes of Epping Forest and Hatfield Forest.

I hope you enjoyed reading this list of 30 Walks In Epping Forest including Easy Epping Forest WalksMedium Epping Forest Walks and Long Epping Forest Walks.

Saturday, 8 June 2013

Top 5 Walking Trousers


For those of us that spend a lot of time in the outdoors we understand the importance of having the right walking clothes at the right time.

Keep to light, loose fitting trousers, or shorts if it's warm enough. This will allow you much more space to move, whether it be clambering through a forest or woodland walk trying to tackles those tricky stiles or big farmyard gates that are too heavy to open, requiring you to climb over. After an embracing and invigorating walk it is also important to keep your muscles warm so having the right walking clothes and a good fleece to hand is highly recommendable with many of the new microfleeces are all about warmth without the weight.

Here are a selection of fully tested walking trousers:


Read the full guide here Top 5 Walking Trousers