Essex Walks
At Hainault Forest, these walks offer something for everyone, from easy lakeside circuits to full woodland adventures.
With smooth paths around the lake, cafés, a visitor centre and even a farm to visit, through to longer figure-of-eight routes exploring deeper forest trails and open fields, the walks range from relaxed family outings to muddier, more adventurous days out.
Download the Essex Walks App to follow these routes with real-time GPS navigation.
Walk information
This is a nice and easy family-friendly walk around the pretty Hainualt Country Park lake.
The route is on solid wheel-friendly paths throughout and there is a cafe and Woodland Trust visitors centre on the walk.
If you have time, there is also the Foxburrows Farm site on the route where the little ones can visit various farm animals.
Based on 1 user rating
A very popular walk
Real feedback from people who have completed this walk using the Essex Walks app.
First-hand experiences
Had been raining previous week some places bit squishy in places boots or proper walking shoes required muddy we walked ANTI clockwise taking in the steepest part first ( not too steep tho) very good walk
Walk information
This second route is an extension of the first route that takes you deeper into the Hainault Forest.
You'll enjoy the lake, cafe and farm from the first route, but you can also expect much more woodland adventures as you venture deeper into the forest.
The woodland sections can get muddy after wet weather, so please take appropriate footwear if necessary.
Walk information
If you have plenty of time and are up for an adventure, then this final route is a great walk that explores all corners of the Hainault Forest.
We think it's best to walk this one in a figure of eight, following the arrows on the route map. This first takes you around the pretty lake, before taking you on a long walk through the dramatic woodland paths of Hainault Forest.
You'll then leave the forest along a long and peaceful track until you meet an optional 'there-and-back' detour that climbs up a big hill full of wonderful wildflowers in the spring and offering you a bench at the top for a beautiful view and spot for a picnic.
After that you'll head back to the start through more woodland paths and fields.
This route is more adventurous, with some fields containing livestock and other fields that are muddy, or bumpy, underfoot. The woodland paths can also get very muddy after wet weather, which is great fun if you have your wellies.
Based on 2 user ratings
An outstanding walk
Real feedback from people who have completed this walk using the Essex Walks app.
First-hand experiences
On the whole the paths are very good for a country park, but here and there muddy. Lovely country park, has a small animal holding for little ones, and a craft shop.
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Choose a walk and follow the pointer showing your live position on the route map, so you always know you're on the right path.
The app works without a phone signal, so you can keep following the route wherever the walk takes you.
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