About
Epping Forest Heritage Trust
Epping Forest Big Walk 2026
Sunday 13th September 2026
Guided by volunteer walk leaders, there will be three main stops along the route. You don’t need to be an experienced hiker to join the walk, although you will need to be quite fit to complete the whole walk in a day! Everyone is welcome. You can choose to walk the full length or sections of the route that suit your needs.
The timetable for the full route:
- 8.30 am – 9.00 am - Arrive at the junction of Forest Drive and Capel Road, near Manor Park Station
- 9 .00 am - Introductory talks
- 9 .15 am - Walk starts
- 10.05 am – Depart Green Man roundabout, Leytonstone
- 11.35pm - Arrive at Highams Park near Humphry's Cafe, refreshment break
- 12.05 am – Depart Highams Park Lake
- 12.55 pm – Arrive at Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge (Chingford Visitor Centre), E4 7QH where we take a break for lunch
- 1.50 pm – Depart Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge (Chingford Visitor Centre)
- 2.50 pm - Arrive at High Beach Visitor Centre, refreshment break
- 3.20 pm – Depart High Beach Visitor Centre
- 5.15 pm – Arrive at Bell Common, Epping
What to wear/bring?
- Wear comfortable, sturdy, and weather-proof walking boots/shoes. Parts of the Forest can be muddy and slippery
- Layer your clothes, and dress appropriately according to the weather.
- Bring plenty of water to keep you hydrated
- Bring a packed lunch and enough snacks
- Rucksacks work better than shoulder bags
- If it's hot and sunny, bring anything that will keep you safe and comfortable: suncream, sun hat, etc
Anything interesting along the route?
The route covers the whole length of the Forest starting from Manor Park in Newham, skirting Wanstead and Woodford towards Highams Park, passing Chingford Plain, High Beach and going all the way to Epping in Essex.
The walk goes through some of the most iconic locations and ancient monuments, as well as provide the chance to experience a mosaic of habitats the Forest encompasses, from grass plains, heathlands, ponds to wood-pasture and ancient woodlands.
There will also be short informative talks along the route, from which you can learn more about the wildlife, conservation, history, and management of the Forest.
How to register?
The walk is free to attend. You can register through the eventbrite page here.
Booking is essential
About the Big Walk
Previously known as ‘The Centenary Walk’, the route covers the stretch of Epping Forest, starting from Manor Park in Newham and going all the way to Bell Common in Essex.
It was first established in 1978 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the passing of the Epping Forest Act 1878. The route was devised by Fred Matthews from the West Essex Ramblers and Harry Bitten from the Friends of Epping Forest. It is now one of the biggest annual events celebrating Epping Forest and its irreplaceable biodiversity, culture, and heritage now and for generations to come.
Find out more about Epping Forest Big Walk, please visit: https://efht.org.uk/discover-epping-forest/epping-forest-big-walk/
"We are a charity and a membership organisation with a big mission to inspire people about Epping Forest, and to conserve and protect its irreplaceable biodiversity, culture and heritage now and for generations to come. We operate across the whole of Epping Forest, covering 6,000 acres stretching from Manor Park in East London to Epping in Essex.
Epping Forest is for everyone to love. Our work is to stand up for this wonderful ancient Forest and inspire everyone to do the same. We have regular guided walk programmes to help you get to know Epping Forest, and we operate the Epping Forest Visitor Centre at High Beach on behalf of City of London Corporation (the Conservators). We also help to increase the biodiversity of the Forest through hands-on conservation work, campaigns to raise awareness of the Forest and advocate at planning enquiries to ensure it does not suffer direct damage from more development, traffic or pollution".
