New Forest - Brockenhurst - Ober Heath - Brockenhurst

Sylvia Saunders

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New Forest - Brockenhurst - Lymington River - Ober Heath - Brockenhurst

A great circular, flat walk in the New Forest with lots of variety takes you alongside riverbanks, woodland and glorious heathland. Here you will have a chance to see some rare red deer. These are the largest of the five types of deer to be found in the New Forest and may be spotted on the open heathland, where they can have a good view of their surroundings. Many of them spend a large part of the year on Ober Heath. Although native to Great Britain they were probably extinct by the 17th Century. The red deer that you will see in the forest today are thought to be descendants of a group of nine which escaped from a small deer-park in 1962. Even if you don't see any deer, you are bound to see many free-roaming New Forest ponies. Despite there being no hills to climb, there are lovely views across the heathland.

There is just one easy stile at the beginning of the walk and no difficult obstacles for dogs along the way. The ponies don't present a problem; if you ignore them they will ignore you and they never show any interest in my Labrador. He had several dunks in the rivers and thoroughly enjoyed himself!

Look at the website link in additional information – Brockenhurst has all the facilities that you could want.
All of the New Forest has its boggy areas, so please make sure that you wear appropriate footwear.

England - South England - Hampshire - New Forest

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Flowers, Good for Kids, Mostly Flat, Public Transport, River, Wildlife, Woodland

9/12/2018 - Linda Barron

One of my regular walks around the new forest. Always enjoyable. As others have said, the information board about the deer is no longer there. Otherwise a good route to follow.

11/7/2017 - alex mcgivern

If I was taking someone to the New Forest for the first time, this is the walk I would do. A little bit of every thing, woods, river, heath land and we finished with a cream tea in Brockenhurst...perfect day :) Great walk, thank you.

8/29/2017 - Nigel Williamson

Delightful flat walk through woodland and over heathland. The red deer information board is no longer at Waymark 13 but the house can be seen in the distance.

8/29/2017 - Nigel Williamson

Great walk but directions/wording needs updating. Waymark 11 It took us a while to find the bridge which is not clearly visible. Waymark 13 The deer information board has gone and there is only a single post left

7/2/2013 - Bertie The Dog

Really enjoyed this lovely walk. I often find New Forest walks a bit hard to follow, as all the paths look the same, but had no problems with this one. We did this mid June, and had none of the problems some others had with muddy places, infact the whole route was a joy.

10/17/2012 - Simon Taylor

Same as the previous comment - between points 7 and 8 its very wet with the Lymington River having burst its banks in the woodland area. Very enjoyable walk but I would suggest its not for children or those unsteady on their feet during wet periods. Lovely walk through the heathland and some cracking views of the area and deer/ horses/ donkeys.

10/14/2012 - Paul and Tracy Dawson

We did this walk probably at it's wettest. Had to hop over the fence, and take a short detour into the field at point 8, before getting to the bridge. Added a few miles to the walk with all the zig zagging we did! :-) Even so, a really enjoyable flat walk.

6/18/2008 - graham cooke

A very nice walk through a variety of landscape from riverside forest to open heath. A generally flat walk with the occasional boggy area but no real difficulty. Well planned and very well marked if you use the photographs and directions. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this pleasant walk in the New Forest in Mid June