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Our Top 10 Walks in the Ashdown Forest
With the forest on your doorstep, a world of adventure awaits. The Ashdown Forest is a walker's paradise, offering everything from iconic literary landscapes to vast, heather-clad heathlands with breathtaking views.
To help you explore, we've gathered our top ten favourite local walks.
Remember to wear sturdy footwear, as paths can be uneven and muddy, and always check the weather before you set out.
1. The Classic Pooh Walk: Pooh Bridge & The Hundred Acre Wood
No visit is complete without this truly magical walk. Starting from the Pooh Car Park, this trail takes you through the real 'Hundred Acre Wood' (Five Hundred Acre Wood) down to the iconic Pooh Sticks Bridge, where you can have your own game. It's an essential experience for the young and young at heart.​
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Difficulty: Easy
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Out & Back
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Distance: 4.7km
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Approx. Time: 1h 20m
2. The Airman's Grave Circular
This popular walk offers some of the most spectacular, far-reaching views in the forest.
It leads you across open heathland to a poignant memorial for the crew of a Wellington bomber that crashed in 1941. The sense of peace and wide-open space here is unforgettable.
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Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
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Distance: 3.5 km
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Approx. Time: 1h 30
3. Chelwood Vachery and the Braberry Ponds
A stunning and varied walk that feels like a hidden secret. This route takes you through beautiful woodland, past the Braberry Ponds, and into the enchanting, slightly overgrown landscape of the old Chelwood Vachery gardens, complete with rhododendrons and a series of picturesque stone bridges and waterfalls.
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Difficulty: Moderate
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Distance: 5.1km
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Approx. Time: 1h 20m
4. Black Hill and Hartfield Circular
The perfect blend of exercise and reward.
This trail is great for birding, fishing, and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. The best times to visit this trail are January through November. Dogs are welcome and may be off-lead in some areas.
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Difficulty: Moderate
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Distance: 16.6 km
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Approx. Time: 4h 15m
5. Ashdown Heath and Mill Brook Circular
For those seeking a proper day's hike, this challenging route is a grand tour of the forest's diverse landscapes.
It covers wide-open heath, ancient woods, hidden ponds, and follows the charming Mill Brook. It’s a long and rewarding adventure for the serious walker.
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Difficulty: Hard
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Distance: 12.1 km
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Approx. Time: 3h 15m
6. Five Hundred Acre Circular
Enjoy this 8.0-km circular trail near Hartfield, East Sussex. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 17 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking, running, and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring.
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Difficulty: Moderate
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Distance: 8 km
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Approx. Time: 2h 15m
7. Forest Row to Weir Wood Reservoir
Check out this 8.9-km circular trail near East Grinstead, West Sussex. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 2 h 19 min to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, running, and walking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.
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Difficulty: Moderate
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Distance: 8.9 km
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Approx. Time: 2h 30m
8. The Old Lodge Nature Reserve
Keep an eye out for wildlife as you make your way round the open moorland and woodlands of The Rough and Old Lodge Nature Reserve where there are lovely views and scenic paths. Take care on the rougher sections, especially in wetter conditions when the paths can become muddy.
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Difficulty: Moderate
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Distance: 14.6 km
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Approx. Time: 4 hours
9. Camp Hill and King's Standing
Explore the area right around the cabins' location. This walk takes you past King's Standing, a clump of pines from where King Edward III is said to have watched a boar hunt. It offers wonderful views and a real sense of the forest's history.
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Difficulty: Easy
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Distance: 6.3 km
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Approx Time: 1h 30m
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Circular
10. Sheffield Park Garden and Woodland
A short drive away, this National Trust property offers something different. You can pay to enter the spectacular landscaped gardens, or explore the wider estate and surrounding woodland for free on public footpaths. The walk around the parkland and woods is beautiful, especially in autumn.
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Difficulty: Easy
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Distance: 4.3 km
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Approx. Time: 1 hour