Forest Arboretum Walk

Expect to traverse flat, easy terrain—a mixture between gravel, tarmac, and dirt paths—lined by yew, holly, oak, and beech trees, on the Forest Arboretum Walk in the New Forest. However, sections of the flat terrain can collect water from the river during the wetter months, potentially cutting off parts of the route, which is not ideal if you have a pushchair or lack the proper footwear to navigate this section! So, while you can do this one year-round, some of you may want to save this one for drier weather.

Setting out from the Blackwater car park, you’ll head in the direction of the Blackwater Arboretum to start, immediately immersing in groves of trees. Around 984ft after passing the Blackwater Arboretum, you’ll take a left to go straight for about 0.6mi before reaching another junction. Here, you’ll go left to keep strolling along the well-defined path. After revelling in the scenic forest scenery, you’ll arrive at a junction with Rhinefield Road. Go right here before taking a left in about 984ft to stay on Rhinefield Road. At the next intersection, keep left to head towards Fletchers Hill Inclosure and continue looping around, staying on the distinct path until a junction with four obvious tracks. Here, take a left to go west back towards the car park, where your walk began.