Best Walks in the New Forest

It’s pretty tricky to find much in the way of wilderness in Southern England, but the sprawling New Forest is about as close as you can get. Of course, it is also a living, working landscape, so we can’t guarantee splendid isolation, but what we can promise is an enthralling mix of heathland, grassland, dense plantation and broadleaf forest, intersected by sparkling rivers, streams and brooks. The area also boasts several quiet villages and even a 40-mile stretch of little-known coastline. It’s all a haven for woodland wanderers and wildlife watchers alike, since this diverse landscape is home to myriad species of rare plants, insects, birds and mammals, including five different species of deer and of course the famous New Forest pony. The unique character of the New Forest is what makes it special, and it has long been protected. Its special status dates from the 11th century, when it was first proclaimed a royal forest by William the Conqueror – essentially a hunting ground, or ‘harbour for Wild-beasts for his Game’, as 17th-century mapmaker and publisher Richard Blome eloquently put it. Perhaps surprisingly, the New Forest was only designated as a National Park in 2005, but today it is a popular draw for hikers, bikers and ramblers. That, at least, is no surprise, since the 580 square kilometres (223.9 square miles) of land that lie within the national park boundary are criss-crossed with a series of invigorating trails. Here are our top 10 favourite walks in the New Forest.