Explorations

Walks, places and discoveries from the trail

Recent Explorations

View along the Lepe coastline showing the shingle beach, wooden groynes and open waters of the Solent

New Forest – Lepe

A varied New Forest walk that moves from shingle beach and Solent views to farmland and woodland, creating one of the most memorable routes.

Woodland path at Burley Beacon, framed by mature trees and dense foliage, opening out towards heathland in the distance

New Forest – Burley

A varied loop around the edge of Burley, combining village lanes, woodland tracks and open New Forest moorland, with wide views from Burley Beacon.

Harvested field bordered by a wire fence, with rolling tree-lined hills beneath a bright blue sky near Goring-on-Thames.

Chilterns – River Thames at Goring

A short local circuit from Goring, heading out through fields before returning along the Thames Path, where the riverside section gives the walk most of its character.

New Forest – Minstead

New Forest – Minstead

A varied New Forest walk from Minstead, combining quiet village lanes, forest tracks, open views and a few unexpectedly narrow paths.

New Forest – Fritham

New Forest – Fritham

A relaxed first walk through Fritham’s pine forests, open heathland and hidden history, with a few useful lessons about navigation, phone signal and making the most of a short New Forest route.

Guidebook Challenges

Working through walking guidebooks one route at a time, tracking progress and sharing each completed exploration.

Guidebook Challenges

Working through walking guidebooks one route at a time, tracking progress and sharing each completed exploration.

All Explorations

View along the Lepe coastline showing the shingle beach, wooden groynes and open waters of the Solent

New Forest – Lepe

A varied New Forest walk that moves from shingle beach and Solent views to farmland and woodland, creating one of the most memorable routes.

Open heathland across Black Knowl near Brockenhurst, showing the wide New Forest landscape with heather, scattered shrubs and a distant tree line beneath a blue sky

New Forest – Brockenhurst

A varied New Forest loop from Brockenhurst, exploring village streets, the open heath of Black Knowl, woodland paths and the wide landscapes of White Moor.

Woodland path at Burley Beacon, framed by mature trees and dense foliage, opening out towards heathland in the distance

New Forest – Burley

A varied loop around the edge of Burley, combining village lanes, woodland tracks and open New Forest moorland, with wide views from Burley Beacon.

Chilterns – Pegstone Hills

Chilterns – Pegstone Hills

A short walk across Deacon Hill and Pegstone Hills, where open chalk ridges, dry valleys and views to the north give this corner of the Chilterns a distinctive character.

Panoramic view from Coombe Hill across rolling Chiltern farmland, with golden fields, scattered woodland and villages beneath a wide blue sky.

Chilterns – Coombe Hill

A short walk across Coombe Hill and Bacombe Hill, combining wide Chiltern views with a memorable return through mature beech woodland.

Panoramic view from Dunstable Downs across dry grassland towards the patchwork fields and countryside to the north-west.

Chilterns – Dunstable Downs

From the unusual Whipsnade Tree Cathedral to the wide panoramic views of Dunstable Downs, this gentle Chilterns circuit packs plenty of variety into a relatively short walk.

Startops End Reservoir with open water, waterfowl and the reservoir bank curving around the far side beneath a blue, lightly clouded sky.

Chilterns – Tring Reservoirs

A varied waterside circuit around Tring, combining reservoirs, canals, locks and traces of industrial heritage through a distinctive corner of the Chilterns.

Grassy woodland track through Penn Wood, bordered by dense ferns and trees in bright summer sunlight.

Chilterns – Penn Wood

A short circular walk through Penn Wood, with easy woodland trails, dense tree cover and Beamond End Pond providing the main highlight.

Dry grass field and walking track near Hambledon, with rolling farmland and wooded hills under a bright sky with scattered clouds.

Chilterns – Hambledon

A relaxed Chilterns walk through open fields and along the Thames, with Hambledon Weir, the lock and riverside wildlife providing the main highlights.

River Thames at Henley with boats moored along the waterfront, historic riverside buildings, a church tower and Henley Bridge beneath a bright blue sky.

Chilterns – Henley-on-Thames

A short but varied walk from Henley into the surrounding Chiltern countryside, taking in woodland, open fields, Remenham and a long return beside the River Thames.