Walking
Bracknell Forest has a surprisingly diverse landscape and ecology.
Sandy soils in the south of the borough support a landscape of heathland and conifer plantations.
In the north of the Borough the contrasting clay soils support a traditional lowland landscape of open fields, copses and hedgerows. Such variation has also resulted in the area having a rich and fascinating wildlife, and over 30% of the Borough’s total area is identified as having a high wildlife value, and protected by the local designation of Wildlife Heritage Site.
In the UK "walking" is the usual term for what in other countries is called hiking, with a flavour of heartiness and exercise. Walking in the countryside is also called rambling, and walking in mountainous areas is called hillwalking or fellwalking. One of the best ways to explore this natural heritage is on foot, and there are some wonderful opportunities to explore Bracknell Forest through walks.
- Led Walks
- Countryside Walks
- Wildmoor, Broadmoor and the Devil's Highway
- Binfield, ‘The Hill Farm Lane Circuit
- Warfield, ‘The Northern Lanes
- The Winkfield Circular Walk
- Accessible Rural Routes
- Bracknell Forest Ramblers Route
- Blackwater Valley Path
- Clubs
A series of guided walks take place around the borough all year round, including ranger walks and countryside rambles. For information about organised walks in your area please view the latest Parks & Countryside Events Programme.
Four walks around the Bracknell Forest countryside are described here – for each one, PDF files of both the map and directions for the route are available to download.
The area covering all four walks can be found on Ordnance Survey Explorer map 160.
Wildmoor, Broadmoor and the Devil’s Highway – 4.1 miles / 6.6km
This anti-clockwise route passes through a range of scenery to the east of Crowthorne, including woodland, heathland and a section of Roman Road. The route starts at the Wildmoor Heath car park off the Crowthorne Road, (grid reference SU838629).
Countryside walk Wildmoor (21kb)- Countryside walk map Wildmoor (1313kb)
Binfield, ‘The Hill Farm Lane Circuit’ – 2.5 miles / 4km
This walk passes through attractive farmland in the parish of Binfield, just north of Bracknell and starts at the Jack o’Newbury pub on on Terrace Road North (grid reference SU845718).
- Countryside walk Binfield (87kb)
- Countryside walk map Binfield (1206kb)
Warfield, ‘The Northern Lanes’ - 6.7 miles / 10.8km
This longer walk follows paths across the unspoilt farmland of northern Warfield, starting and finishing at Frost Folly, the country car park in Wellers Lane, Warfield (grid reference SU873726).
- Countryside walk Warfield (31kb)
- Countryside walk map Warfield (581kb)
The Winkfield Circular Walk – 2.8 miles / 4.5km
This anti-clockwise walk starts at the car park for St Mary’s Parish Church in Winkfield, off Church Road (grid reference SU904724) – and passes through picturesque Berkshire farmland.
- Countryside walk Winkfield (89kb)
- Countryside walk map Winkfield (1004kb)
These leaflets detail short countryside walks around Bracknell Forest aimed at less mobile or less agile countryside users and range from 1km to 4km in length.
- Jock's Lane and The Cut - 2.3 miles / 3.75km - gradient: moderate - wheelchair rating: moderate
- Larks Hill and West End - 1.2 miles / 2km - gradient: slight - wheelchair rating: moderate / challenging
- Frost's Folly and Warfield Church - 1.5 miles / 2.5 km - gradient: moderate - wheelchair rating moderate.
These leaflets are now available to order or download from the website via the Parks & Countryside Leaflets web page.
Bracknell Forest Ramblers Route
The Ramblers Route is a 26mile / 41.8km walking trail through Bracknell's countryside. The route follows footpaths, woodland tracks, bridleways and some stretches of road, passing through remarkably varied scenery: from coniferous forest and heathland in the south to unspoilt open farmland to the north. The walk is not physically demanding, but inexperienced walkers should only attempt the route in stages. Certain sections can also be wet and muddy after rain, particularly those through woodland areas.
The route, which circumnavigates Bracknell Town, is made up of two loops, forming a figure of eight circuit. While the full route is 26miles long, each loop can be completed as a separate circular walk- the Southern Loop is 13 miles/20.9km long, the Northern Loop 19miles/30.5km long.
A leaflet describing the route in detail, with maps and illustrations, is now available to order or download from the website via the Parks & Countryside Leaflets web page.
This long distance path follows the River Blackwater from its source south of Aldershot to Swallowfield where it meets the rivers Whitewater and Loddon. The 23 mile (37km) path passes through countryside, parks and nature reserves along its route which is also well served by public transport.
The Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership produce a detailed booklet and maps on the path. They can be contacted on 01252 331353.
Perhaps you would like to meet similar minded people and get more involved in walking with a Club :
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