Forest Way, Essex
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Forest Way, Essex is a long-distance footpath in west Essex, England. The 25-mile (40 km) path runs from Loughton via Epping Forest to Hatfield Forest. It is waymarked, and named on Ordnance Survey mapping.
The path runs from Loughton station (51°38’29”N 0°03’20”E) to Hatfield Forest (51°51′28″N 0°13′45″E).
The name Forest Way refers to the two forests which this path connects, the 2,400-hectare (5,900-acre) Epping Forest and the 403-hectare (996-acre) Hatfield Forest. The walk was developed by Essex County Council as part of its ‘Ways through Essex’ project, to help people enjoy the Essex countryside.[1]
The linear walk can be started at several locations and can follow a West to East or East to West direction. The route goes through both rural and some urban areas. These include fields, pasture, and woodland; along rural roads and through villages and some built-up areas.[1]
The path is waymarked in both directions by a green circular marker with a black leafless tree and the text: ‘The Forest Way’ 'A walk between Epping Forest and Hatfield Forest'.[2]
Several railway and underground stations are close to the west end of the walk, and some villages have a bus service.[1]