New Forest Walks Cycling Outdoor Activities Hampshire

New Forest Walks

One of the best ways to see the New Forest National Park is by foot. There are lots of waymarked paths and hundreds of car parks throughout the national park.

Check out the Forestry Commission's "Walking, cycling and riding" pages for a downloadable map with the car park locations marked. The Forestry Commission also have downloadable mp3 podcasts which guide you around different areas of the park. The New Forest National Park website also has a range of walking tours available on mp3 including a circular walk around Brockenhurst and one from Beaulieu village to Bucklers Hard.

For longer walking routes several long distance walks run through the New Forest National Park. See those listed below or check the link right.

New Forest Cycling

There are over 100 miles of cycle tracks in the New Forest including approved on-road routes, cycle paths adjacent to roads and off-road cycle routes. The only places not accessible to bikes are the open forest, footpaths and tracks not dedicated to cycle use. You can buy the Forestry Commission's cycle map or download it from the cycling section of their New Forest pages, link right. Also try the New Forest National Park link right for downloadable mp3 cycle routes.

A great way of linking up routes is to pick up the New Forest Bus. It runs hourly tours between May and September and links some of the New Forest towns including Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst, Lymington and Beaulieu. You can take your bike aboard - great for linking up with circular cycling routes. Check the weblink right for more information on the route and ticket prices.

If you want to hire bikes while you're visiting there are bike hire shops at Lyndhurst, Brockenhurst, Burley, Minstead and Lymington. Check the link right for a list of cycle hire shops in and near the New Forest.

Brockenhurst New Forest Walks

Brockenhurst is the setting off point for several walks and cycle rides in the New Forest.

The National Park weblink right has downloadable leaflets for a circular walk around Brockenhurst and one for a circular walk along the Lymington River from Brockenhurst.

The Forestry Commission's New Forest Cycle Network links with the railway station - making it easier to have a car-free tour round. The New Forest Cycle Network covers 100 miles of trails throughout the New Forest National Park. It mixes off-road cycling with on road routes.

The Solent Way Long Distance Coastal Walk

You can pick up The Solent Way which starts at Milford-on-Sea. The path takes you along the entire Hampshire coast from Milford-on-Sea to Emsworth Harbour in the far east of Hampshire. It runs for 60 miles along the Solent coast taking in some of the country's most important naval history sites as well as pretty, historic harbours like that at Lymington.

The route is waymarked with a seabird on a green background. Check out The Solent Way website, link right which breaks the route down into shorter sections and giving you an idea of what you can see along the way.

Check out the Hampshire County Council link right for a downloadable leaflet of the trail.

Avon Valley Path

The Avon Valley Path actually starts at Salisbury in Wiltshire and travels 34 miles south through Hampshire and then on to Christchurch in Dorset. The path passes through the New Forest along its western border.

The route is sub-divided into five sections which taken individually make a good day out walking. The Avon is a chalk river with abundant wildlife along its banks including water and hay meadows, ditches and streams which are excellent for birdwatching.

You can download The Avon River Path from the link right.

New Forest Tour - Open Top Bus

Lyndhurst is where you can pick up the New Forest Open Top Bus Tour. It departs from the main car park throughout the day - also handy for the Visitor Information Centre. From here the tour takes you around the New Forest National Park stopping off at other New Forest towns and villages like Brockenhurst, Lymington, Beaulieu and attractions such as Exbury Gardens.

You can use the bus to see the New Forest, take your bike with you to access some of the 100 miles of cycle trails or use the daily Hop on Hop off ticket to link up some circular walks.

Check the link right for up-to-date information on fares and arrangements for booking a space for your bike.

Canoeing Kayaking Watersports Beaulieu New Forest

If you fancy trying your hand at canoeing or kayaking then the River Beaulieu River is the main place for watersports. Liquid Logistics have a booking centre in Beaulieu which offers canoeing and kayaking courses and boat hire.

You can book onto training sessions or trips in kayaks or Canadian canoes either as a group or as individuals. Trips are not only based on rivers in the New Forest but also further afield around the Hampshire coast for a spot of sea kayaking.

All courses offered are in accordance with the British Canoe Union's (BCU) requirements and awards.

Liquid Logistics, Queens Mead Dairy, Beaulieu, Hampshire SO42 7YE. Tel. 01590 612377. Email. info@liquidlogistics.co.uk