HIKE 24km Autumnal Colours Virginia Water and Windsor Castle and Deer Park

🌳 Large Group Social Hike
One of our bigger, more sociable hikes.
Prefer a smaller group? See our standard-size hikes.

📏 Key Info:
• Distance: 15 miles (24km)
• Grading: Intermediate
• Ascent: 280m
• Hiking time: 6 to 6.5 hours
• Cost: £31 (includes guided hike + return train)
• Refunds: Payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you follow our [Resale Process] and your place is rebooked, we’ll issue a refund.
• Toilet Breaks: On the train, at the lunch stop, and at the end pub

📍 Meeting Point
• Location: Paddington station. Meet at the entrance of the main ticket office - MAP
• Time: Meet 8:10am, leave 8:30am for the 8:48am train
• Return: 5:59pm arrival back in London (you’re committed until then)

🌟 Highlights
• Admire Windsor Castle from outside — the world’s largest inhabited castle
• Explore the exquisite Windsor Great Park, with lakes, ponds and a vast deer park
• Visit Cumberland Lodge, a 17th-century royal residence
• Discover Virginia Water Lake, designed as a royal pleasure ground
• Walk through the Valley Gardens, surrounded by rich autumn colours
• See the fascinating Roman ruins brought from the ancient city of Leptis Magna
• Experience the iconic mile-long view of The Long Walk towards Windsor Castle

🥾 Hike Description
Our royal adventure begins in Windsor, where we pass the mighty Windsor Castle, dating back nearly 1,000 years and still home to the Royal Family today. From here, we set out along the world-famous Long Walk, a spectacular tree-lined avenue stretching through the Royal Estate’s Windsor Great Park, heading towards the 17th-century Cumberland Lodge.

The route then leads us through peaceful woodland trails and past tranquil lakes including Obelisk Pond and Wick Pond, before reaching the picturesque Virginia Water Lake. Originally created as a royal pleasure ground in the 18th century, it’s one of the park’s most scenic spots. We follow the full circuit of the lake, passing shimmering reflections of autumn colours, gentle cascades, and the evocative Roman ruins transported from Leptis Magna in the 1800s.

Continuing through the vast deer park, we may spot some of the 500 free-roaming deer grazing beneath ancient oak trees. The park’s 5,000 acres are steeped in royal history and were once the private hunting grounds of the monarchy.

Our return route takes us once again along The Long Walk, offering one of England’s most iconic views — the straight, mile-long avenue leading directly to Windsor Castle, framed by its grand towers in the distance. We finish back in Windsor, concluding a hike filled with royal landscapes, historic landmarks, and timeless beauty.

🧭 Guide:
• Leader: GRAHAM
• Contact (hike day only): 07796 098487

🍽️ Food:
• Bring a packed lunch
• Pub visit after the hike (drinks optional)

🎒What to Bring
• Hiking boots/shoes
• Water (2 litres minimum)
• Packed lunch
• Waterproofs (jacket and trousers)
• Hat and gloves if cold
• Train tickets are arranged – just meet us at the meeting point

⚠️ Safety
Your guide is a trained hike leader and Outdoor Activity First Aider

❓ Want to Know More?
• New to Our Trips? (perfect for first-timers, answers “what to expect”)
• About Us (who Outdooraholics are, credibility, history)
• FAQs (covers common queries)

📲 Stay Connected
Instagram 📸
Day hikes list 👣
Calendar - All trips 📖
Facebook page & Photos group

📄 Terms and Conditions
By signing up or attending you agree to our Terms and Conditions

© Outdooraholics Hiking UK Ltd 2025 E & OE