Wildlife Walks

The New Forest is a living and working place where ponies, donkeys and cattle freely graze the land and help to keep the patchwork of different habitats intact. Deeper in the forest, wild deer stroll beneath canopies of mighty oak and beech, natural scenes unchanged by the modern world.

Around the third week in September you can usually find the pigs who have been let out for Pannage roaming the forest too. Their job is to feed on the fallen acorns, something which is toxic to both cattle and ponies.

With a variety of nature reserves and vast heathland and woodlands, the forest is a haven for any bird watcher. There are around 100 species of breeding birds in the New Forest including woodpeckers, kingfishers and linnets. There is also our coastline with the various nature reserves, havens for wetland species of bird such as oystercatchers and warblers. 

You are never really far from wildlife on any walk in the New Forest. In fact, the majority of walks within the New Forest will involve wildlife, it’s not really a case of if you will spot something but when!

However, here are our top three suggestions for the best wildlife walks you can do here:

Bolderwood

Park at the Bolderwood Car Park and take one of the Bolderwood trails that are on offer here. One of the main reasons people like to come to Bolderwood is to see the deer viewing platform, just a short walk from the car park. Here if you are lucky you may get to spot the wild fallow deer roaming in the fields.

From Easter to September the deer are fed here by the New Forest rangers at approximately 2pm so if you don’t see them outside of this time then you are almost guaranteed to see them then!

Extend your walk by embarking on either the Jubilee Grove Trail or the Radnor Trail as they wind their way through the forest.

Forestry England have some handy interpretation on the area and the types of species you might get to see if you look or listen carefully around the car park and toilet block. There is also a visitor centre here where you can learn more about the local area and the flora and fauna that can be found here.

The Reptile Centre

Come along and learn more about Britain’s native reptile species at the Reptile Centre, near Lyndhurst. Managed by Forestry England, there are two different walks you can do from the car park at the Reptile Centre; the reptile walk or the Portuguese Fireplace walk.

The reptile trail leads you past the various enclosures where if you are lucky you can spot some of Britain’s native reptile and amphibian species, including Britain’s rarest reptile, the sand lizard and our only venomous snake, the adder.

Keyhaven

Keen birders should make the walks at Keyhaven top of their agenda when visiting the New Forest. The small village is a harbour which is home to coastal grazing marshes, lagoons, former salt marshes and the nearby shingle beach of Hurst Spit.  

The rough grazing marsh often floods and has become an important area for wintering birds as well as breeding waders in the summer months.

The coastal marsh area is rich in fish and encourages sandwich and little tern as well as black-headed gulls and oystercatchers. For botanists, the local specialist salt-tolerant plants to look out for among the shingle banks include the yellow-horned poppy, sea campion and sea aster.

Take a walk along the Sea Wall path and see what you can spot along the way.

Guided wildlife walks

Lookout for guided wildlife walks offered as part of the annual New Forest Walking and Cycling Festival which takes place for a fortnight during October.

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust run guided wildlife walks of some of their nature reserves throughout the year including regular family wildlife walks at Blashford Lakes, near Ringwood during school holidays.

At Lepe Country Park look out for guided nature walks with a variety of themes including butterflies and bats. Moors Valley Country Park, near Ringwood offers various fitness walks including Nordic walking. 

Take Care

The New Forest National Park is a wonderful place to visit and you can help it stay that way by being a Forest friendly visitor.

Check your dog and yourself for ticks when you get back home – they can lead to Lyme Disease.

Wildlife walking routes to follow...

Ashlett Creek to Calshot Spit - Trail

Ashlett Creek to Calshot Spit

Distance: 2.8 miles (4.5 km)         Start: Fawley town square bus stop Grid SZ 458 032 Postcode SO45 1EA. what3words ///mountains.poppy.perfected This walk is great for families with young children, starting from Fawley town centre and following a…

Ashurst Stroll Image

Ashurst Stroll

Distance: 2.8 miles (4.5 km) Start: Ashurst New Forest railway station or bus stop; Grid SU334 101, Postcode  SO40 7AA. what3words ///choirs.haircuts.pictured   From Ashurst railway station this short and easy walk explores a variety of landscapes that…

Blackwater Heartwood trail

Blackwater: Heartwood Trail

Distance: 0.7 miles (1.1 km) Start: Blackwater car park, Grid ref. SU 268 047 what3words ///crawler.secure.respected An easy waymarked circular walk through the Arboretum to experience the woodland and take in the variety of tree species. There are regular seats with…

Blackwater: Tall Trees Arboretum Link

Blackwater: Tall Trees Arboretum

PLEASE NOTE, there is currently no walking access through the back of the Blackwater Arboretum until mid August. Distance: 1.1 miles (1.8 km) Start: Blackwater car park, Grid ref. SU 268 047 what3words ///crawler.secure.respected This is an easy walk through…

Blackwater tall trees

Blackwater: Tall Trees Trail

Distance: 1.4 miles (2.3 km) Start: Blackwater car park, Grid ref. SU 268 047. what3words ///crawler.secure.respected Stimulate your senses on this short but wonderful trail around the Tall Trees Walks. This walk takes you past majestic conifers planted in the…

Bolderwood Deer Watch Trail

Bolderwood: Deer Watch Trail

Distance: 0.3 miles (0.5 km) Start: Bolderwood car park, grid ref SU 243 086, no postcode. what3words ///shell.frog.reserving This very short stroll from Bolderwood car park leads you to a deer viewing platform overlooking fields where wild herds of fallow deer are…

Bolderwood Jubilee Grove Trail

Bolderwood: Jubilee Grove Trail

Distance: 1 mile (1.6 km) Start: Bolderwood car park, grid ref SU 243 086, no postcode. what3words ///shell.frog.reserving Starting from Bolderwood car park this meandering route leads you past the deer fields and some majestic trees, the oldest of which date…

Bolderwood Radnor Trail

Bolderwood: Radnor Trail

Distance: 1.9 mile (3.1 km) Start: Bolderwood car park, grid ref SU 243 086, no postcode. what3words ///shell.frog.reserving Once past the Radnor Stone, this trail passes through sweet chestnut, oak and beech dating from the 1860s. It then skirts the fenced boundary of…

Hatchet Pond

Hatchet Pond

1.9 Miles This is a New Forest Access For All route. Hatchet Pond is the largest area of fresh water in the New Forest, which is located just outside the quaint village of Beaulieu. It is very beautiful and can be enjoyed on this easy trail. There are benches along the way…

Keyhaven

Keyhaven Walk

1.9 Miles Keyhaven is approached from Milford on Sea. It is a small village with a very pretty harbour. There are easy walks along the sea wall with views of Keyhaven harbour, the Isle of Wight and Hurst Spit. The area is a good spot for bird watching. Keyhaven Car Park…

Lymington Marshes

Lymington Marshes Trail

Distance: 3.7 miles (6 km)         Start/End: Lymington Town Railway Station, SO41 9AU what3words ///lives.notion.calendars Walk along the Quayside for river views followed by the coastal marshes of the Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve. This is one…

Longslade View Walk

Longslade View Walk

Distance: 1.9 mile (3 km) Start: Longslade View Car Park, Wilverley Road, Brockenhurst, SO42 7UP what3words///proved.amount.outlast This is a wonderful short walk, passing through heathland, under bridges, along ancient woodlands, and you're likely to see…

Hatchet Pond - Chapel Stores Walk

Chapel Stores Walk

Distance: 3.6 miles (6 km) Start: Chapel Lane, East Boldre, Brockenhurst SO42 7WP what3words ///voltages.during.games A level, 3.6 mile loop starting at Chapel Stores – a non-profit community shop selling drinks, snacks and ice cream. Alternatively join this…

Pathway amongst heather at Horseshoe Bottom

Horseshoe Bottom Loop

Distance: 1.8 mile (3 km) Start: Horseshoe Bottom Car Park, Burley Road, Brockenhurst, SO42 7UP what3words///archduke.nursery.homelands This excellent walk features grassland, heathland and woodland and is great for a quick forest adventure! Being a shorter walk…

Beaulieu Road Walk

Beaulieu Road Loop

Distance: 2 miles (3.2 km) Start: Beaulieu Road Station Inclosure Car Park, Beaulieu Road, SO42 7YQ what3words ///branched.joggers.refilled Park up, or enjoy this walk straight from the train getting off at Beaulieu Road Station, and head out on the pathway…

Reptile Centre Discovery Trail

Reptile Centre Discovery Trail

1.1 Miles Starting point from the New Forest Reptile Centre Car Park what3words ///oldest.brambles.bared The New Forest Reptile Centre is open all summer until the end of September Opening times of the Reptile Centre are seasonal. Please see the Forestry England website for…

Rockford Common

Rockford Common Walk

Distance: 2.5 miles (4 km) Start: Rockford Common Car Park, Grid reference – SU164083, BH24 3NF what3words ///spillage.spacing.legal Rockford Common is an area of open heathland and woodland, grazed by livestock belonging to local commoners. The area is…

Keyhaven Marshes

Keyhaven Marshes

Distance: 3.5 miles (5.6 km)      Start: Keyhaven green bus stop, SO41 0TG, Grid Ref: SZ 304 916. what3words ///glitter.courier.emotional Along the route there are views across the Solent to the Isle of Wight and the Needles and opportunities to watch the…

Newtown Lane - Pigs

Hockey's Farm Loop

Distance: 2.5 miles (4 km) Start: Hockey's Farm, South Gorley, Fordingbridge, SP6 2PW what3words ///thickens.elevates.glare Base your New Forest adventure around the wonderful Hockey's Farm! This walk starts and ends at Hockey's Farm, giving you the…

Pathway at Andrews Mare near Stoney Cross in the New Forest

Andrews Mare Walk

Distance: 3.2 miles (5.1 km) Start: Andrews Mare Car Park, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, SO43 7GE what3words///wand.verges.expectant Enjoy a walk across beautiful New Forest heathland and views of the pond and beyond. See what wildlife you can spot along the way!…

Pathway at Standing Hat in the New Forest

Standing Hat Loop

Distance: 3.1 miles (5 km) Start: Standing Hat Inclosure Car Park, Denny Wood, Brockenhurst SO42 7QJ what3words///lows.miles.tabs This is a wonderful walk amongst nature and wildlife. Expect to see beautiful animals and enjoy walking under the canopy of…

Pathway at Millyford Bridge in the New Forest on a summers day

Millyford Bridge Walk

Distance: 3.3 mile (5.3 km) Start: Millyford Bridge Car Park, grid ref SU 26780 07859, no postcode. what3words ///weekday.reclining.puffed Follow the pathway through wonderful ancient woodlands, stroll over bridges and under the canopy of trees. This is an easily to…

3 stag deer in the New Forest with heather in the background

Appleslade Walk

Distance: 3 miles (4.8 km) Start: Appleslade Inclosure Car Park, Ringwood, BH24 3QT what3words///abundance.deeply.introduce Enjoy this wonderful walk under tall trees through the inclosure and along beautiful heathland and grassland. You may see some of our free-roaming…

Ashley Walk near Fordingbridge in the New Forest at sunset

Ashley Walk

Distance: 3.6 miles (5.8 km) Start: Ashley Walk car park, Roger Penny Way, Godshill, SP6 2LN what3words ///outbursts.bolts.bucket Explore the wonderful north of the New Forest on this brilliant walk at Ashley Walk. On this walk, you'll discover beautiful views…

Man walking along path past free roaming cows at Bolton's Bench in Lyndhurst in the New Forest

Bolton's Bench Loop

Distance: 3.1 miles (5km) Start: Bolton's Bench, Beaulieu Road, Lyndhurst SO43 7DA what3words ///shipwreck.gratitude.afford Bolton's Bench is known as 'the New Forest's gateway' and has lots of excellent path ways, with varied natural terrain. On…

Gravel pathway and ponies at Anderwood Walk in the New Forest

Anderwood Walk

Distance: 3.1 miles (5km) Start: Anderwood car park, Lyndhurst Road, Burley, grid ref SU 24894 05782, no postcode what3words///dressings.acrobat.limitless This lovely New Forest walk will take you along gravel tracks, passing by heathlands and into woodlands. Plus…

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