Description
A 5.5 mile circular trail around Ashdown Forest, the setting for the Winnie-the-Pooh stories written by AA Milne. The route gives you chance to immerse yourself in the world of Pooh and his friends. Play Poohsticks at Pooh Bridge, explore the 100 Aker Wood and visit Eeyore’s Gloomy Place. For those less interested in the Pooh connection (shame on you!) there is lots more on offer. Ashdown Forest’s origins lie as a medieval hunting forest, created soon after the Norman conquest, and today its 9.5 square miles are the largest area of open access land in the south east. You will pass through beautiful beech woodland and vast areas of ancient open heath where you will be rewarded with glorious views of the surrounding High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The walk includes several steady but long climbs and descents throughout. The paths, whilst mainly firm, can run with water and be quite muddy in part after periods of rain and in winter. You will need to negotiate a couple of gates plus two stiles (both of which have gaps underneath that should be suitable for most dogs to pass under). You will pass-by some sheep grazing areas and horse paddocks which are fenced with electric fencing so take care with children and dogs at these points. The forest is home to a large deer population and the heath supports ground nesting birds so dogs need to be kept under close control. There are no toilets or other facilities on route. Approximate time 2.5 hours.
The walk starts and finishes at the Gills Lap free car park within Ashdown Forest, East Sussex. The car park is located at the junction between Chuck Hatch Road (B2026) and Kidds Hill, just a few miles south of the village of Hartfield. Nearest post code TN22 3JD (although this will take you a little too far south).
You can read and print the full walk from the iFootpath website – In the pawsteps of Winnie-the-Pooh
Or you can get the iFootpath App (no need to print and no more wrong turns)
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