Loughton to Wanstead, Epping Forest Linear – Country Hike

Walk length 14.5miles/23km (approx) linear.

Epping Forest is one of a number of green spaces that lie just outside London. It covers around 6,000 acres of ancient woodland consisting of various tree species including oak and beech, many pollarded (pruned) from medieval times.

The forest was a royal hunting ground and is now run and managed by The City of London Corporation that also manages Burnham Beeches and Hampstead Heath.

Some features on this walk include Queen Elizabeth's Tudor hunting lodge (outside view), a number of lakes and ponds such as Connaught Water (named after the Duke of Connaught) aLoughton earthworks (Iron Age Camp) thought to date back to 500 BC.

Lunch and Finish

Meeting point for walk: Meet outside Loughton Underground Station for the walk to start at 11.00am. This is a linear hike and finishes at Wanstead underground Station. There are some points when you could leave early close to Loughton, Chingford or Woodford.

Please bring a snack lunch and water for the walk. The walk should finish at about 4.30pm and include a 30 min snack lunch stop (probably one of the visitor centres) and optional classy pub at the end, however the time may be earlier or later than this depending on the weather and pace.

Car: Car Park is £3 on Saturday at Loughton Station, other options or free road parking may be available (please leave allow enough time to park and check for restrictions) Remember as this is a linear hike you will need to collect your car at the end of the walk.

Loughton is in Zone 6 and on the Central Line so you can use an oyster/debit or travel card.

Walk Cost: £7 cash on the day organizer fee (the host is a qualified London guide). For paypal it is 'colin45@hotmail.co.uk' Please send as friends and family to avoid charges. For bank transfer message organizer.

THIS HIKE IS FLAT AS WELL AS UNDULATING IN PLACES BUT ALSO FAIRLY LONG, PLEASE ENSURE YOU ARE HAPPY WITH THIS.

Please make a note of the organizers numbers - Colin 07709305681.

Walking Safety: Walking is a great way to keep fit and generally very safe; however it does contain an element of risk. Before going on any of these walks you need to be reasonably fit and be prepared to be responsible for your own safety. You should wear appropriate clothing such as proper walking boots, warm and wet weather clothing and carry sufficient food and water. Please see our Terms and Conditions (https://www.meetup.com/Chiltern-Explorers/pages/Terms_and_Conditions/)

COULD EVERYONE PLEASE AVOID COMMENTS BELOW THAT ARE NOT SPECIFIC TO THE EVENT AS THIS GENERATES SPAM, JUST CHANGE YOUR RSVP IF YOU CAN'T GO. YOU CAN MESSAGE ME. MANY THANKS.