New Forest Activities

Bring your dogs to the place of their dreams… the New Forest!

We truly are a doggy paradise here in the New Forest, with over 140 miles of safe off-road tracks, 40 miles of coast to explore and lots of different sights and smells for them to enjoy, there is no better place for a dog walk. Let them burn off some of that energy on a walk in the New Forest – there’s something to suit you and your pooch’s fitness level, whether it’s an exhilarating trek or a short, chilled stroll, we have some fantastic walks that you can follow with your best friend.

For a longer walk, why don’t you try out our Bucklands Ring Trail, where you’ll walk through Roydon Woods Nature Reserve (where dogs are allowed to walk through on a lead) over the beautiful Setley Plain and then onto Buckland Rings, which is the site of a former Iron Age hill fort!

Or for a shorter walk, which is great for our more senior or slower companions, or for young families, follow our Whitefield Moor route, which is just 1.6 miles long (there is a shorter loop you can follow too if you wish). On this route you can enjoy the gorgeous Ober Water, where a stream runs through the forest, take in the beautiful scenery and you are likely to spot some wildlife on this walk too.

For a proper good day out in the New Forest for you and your dog, take on the Lyndhurst Parish Walk. An 8.5 mile circular route taking you around the outside of the ‘capital’ of the New Forest and past some of our gorgeous (and very dog friendly) pubs, including The Waterloo Arms and The New Forest Inn, which are perfect for a stop on your walk to grab a drink and a bite to eat – these pubs are dog-friendly and will make sure your dog is looked after too, with water bowls and treats, so no-one goes hungry or thirsty. On this walk you’ll see the huge diversity of what this wonderful village and its surrounding has to offer, you’ll get to walk over the famous Bolton’s Bench, head through beautiful inclosures, over open heathland and through the bustling high street and onto quiet country lanes.

If coastal walks are your preference, we have miles of coastline which will not disappoint. Most of our beaches only allow dogs during the winter months, but a few allow them to have fun in the sea and on the sand all year round (except the main UK summer holiday) - you can find out more information about the rules for each beach on our dedicated page. But as well as the beaches themselves, our coastal paths and sea walls are also perfect for a walk with your dog, in most places you will need to keep your dog on a lead, but the coast is a great place for you and your pooch to enjoy the fresh air and a little bit of exercise.

While your dog is enjoying its walks in the forest, it is important to remember to keep your dogs under close control, or on a lead if necessary, to minimise the disturbance to wildlife, livestock and other people. Please also remember to pick up after your dog, especially around car parks, on paths and where people play or picnic, and take bagged waste home if there is no bin nearby.

Residents and visitors of the New Forest can take a look at and join the New Forest Dog Owners Group. This Group promote responsible dog ownership in the New Forest and have a brilliant Dog Walking Code for all dog owners/walkers in the New Forest to follow, to ensure the safety of the dogs and our unique wildlife and nature in the New Forest.

Bolderwood : Deer Watch Trail

This walk is just 0.3 miles, but it's a great day out with the kids as on the walk you will end up at Bolderwood's viewing platform, which over looks open forest where herds of fallow deer are regularly seen.

From Easter - mid-September the herd is fed daily by one of the Forestry England Keepers, so if you're lucky enough you'll get there just in time to see this!

Bolderwood is also a great place to enjoy a picnic and some field games with your family.

Godshill and Castle Hill

Explore the northern parts of the New Forest with your family. Follow easy trails through quiet fields and woodland, where you'll pass the site of an Iron Age Hill Forest and head up Castle Hill, where you can see gorgeous views across the forest, especially the Avon Valley, which is buzzing with wildlife.

You can either make this route an easy 2.6 mile route, or a little longer route at 3.6 miles with a detour. All details are on the map!

Ashlett Creek to Calshot Spit

An easy 2.8 mile walk, starting from Fawley town centre and then following a lovely country lane to the small and historic inlet of Ashlett Creek. Along the way you'll get to see fabulous views over Southampton Water.

Once you're through Ashlett Creek you'll go past the Jolly Sailor pub, stop off here for a refreshing drink and a snack. You'll also walk by a 19th century tidal mill!

Lyndhurst Parish Walk

This 8.5 mile circular walk begins in the centre of Lyndhurst. Along the way the route passes several pubs including the Waterloo Arms, The New Forest Inn in Emery Down, Crown Stirrup pub at Clayhill and The Oak Inn in Bank, plenty of options for you to choose from!

Brook to Minstead

This walk starts right outside 2 of our New Forest pubs, The Green Dragon and The Bell Inn, however later in the walk you will pass by the wonderful Trusty Servant pub, a perfect place to stop for a bite to eat and a refreshing drink half way on your walk.

Burley Village Walk

The Burley Inn and The Queens Head are both along the Burley Food Trail. But if you don’t fancy pub food other options are available in the village including tea rooms.

Sea Air Trail

Beginning in Lymington you will find several pubs where you can start your walk off after a spot of food including The Mayflower, which overlooks the Yacht club.

In Keyhaven, you will find the Gun Inn, ideally located as a lunch spot or continue on to Milford-on-Sea where you will find plenty more places to eat and drink.

North Taste Trail

This 15-mile walk starts at Abbotswell car park and passes through areas of open forest. Along the way you can stop at the Royal Oak at Fritham, via one of the pubs in Fordingbridge or at the Fighting Cocks pub in Godshill.

Avon Valley Walk

Although in total this walk is 34 miles, it is broken down into more manageable sections. The second section between Downton and Fordingbridge is 7 miles long and passes by the Horse and Groom pub before arriving in Fordingbridge where there is a selection of pubs.

The nine mile section between Fordingbridge and Ringwood goes via the Old Beams at Ibsley and the Alice Lisle at Rockford before heading to the market town of Ringwood, which has many eating and drinking spots.

It is recommended you use the local Ordnance Survey maps to follow the exact route of this walk.

Sturt Pond

This easy 1.9 mile route takes you from Milford on Sea, down to Hurst Spit and onto Sturt Pond, 3 wonderful sights to see in one walk! As you walk along the path, you’ll look over the shingle beach and out across the Solent to see breath-taking views of the Isle of Wight and the Needles, and you may also spot some coastal birds on the coastline or at Sturt Pond.

Exbury Village and Lepe

As well as visiting the quaint village of Exbury, on this walking route you’ll be visiting Lepe, which is a coastal area with pine fringed cliffs and tall trees on the coastline. On the route you’ll take the coastal path down the west side of Lepe, where Beaulieu River meets the Solent, if you wish to head to the Lepe Lookout and explore the lovely Country Park at Lepe (which is east of where this route takes you), please feel free to wander and pick up the route back to Exbury Village later where you left off.

Hordle Cliffs

For this route, you can choose from 2 different directions/walks. Both walks start from the Hordle Cliff West Car Park at Milford on Sea and take you along the beautiful coastline of the New Forest. Stop off along the way on one of the benches and take in the gorgeous views and delightful sounds of the coast. The easier walk takes you to Paddy’s Gap car park and back to where you started, whereas the more difficult walk carries on from here following the promenade down to Hurst Road East car park and then back the other way again.

Ashlett Creek to Calshot Spit

Follow this 2.8 mile walk from Fawley down a pretty country lane, which has views over Southampton Water, to the small inlet of Ashlett Creek. Then you’ll need to keep on going where the map takes you, over the swing bridge and follow the signs to Calshot Marshes Nature Reserve, where you can see loads of amazing wildlife! Once you’re past the tidal pond you’ll be able to take in the lovely beach and colourful beach huts ahead, and you’ll also see panoramic views of the Needles, Isle of Wight and you may even be able to see The Spinnaker Town in Portsmouth on a clear day!

Lymington Marshes Trail

Start off with a lovely quayside walk and past Lymington Marina, where you’ll see an array of yachts and boats! Follow the map where you’ll soon end up at Lymington-Keyhaven Nature Reserve, which is a fantastic place to see coastal wildlife, including lots of different species of birds. This walk is 3.7 miles long and takes you back through the town of Lymington and back from where you set off.