IT’S TIME to lace up your walking boots, grab your four-legged (or two-legged) friend and venture out for an autumn walk in the New Forest
National Park The New Forest is a kaleidoscope of autumnal colours and is home to a variety of livestock, including ponies and pannage pigs.
October and November are perfect months for a relaxing stroll or challenging walk in the New Forest as the scenery dramatically transforms to create a gorgeous autumn scene.
Here are a handful of places you can visit to enjoy the New Forest in all its autumnal glory.
Hightown
Starting at a slower pace, go for a short walk around the Forest’s smallest heathland site, ideal if you are short of time but still want to experience the ‘mosaic of habitats’ on offer.
Walk across grazed lawns, through dark ancient woods and wander off route to discover some hidden wetlands, all in under 30 minutes.
Livestock may be present, so take care, keep your distance and avoid getting between animals and their young.
Near the end of the walk, the common opens out with stunning views south of the open Forest.
Rockford Common
This is a beautiful part of the New Forest with woods, ponds and streams that reflect the vibrant colours of autumn.
Start the walk by descending to a wooded valley at Dockens Water before crossing the stream to Rockford Common.
Take in amazing views from Ibsley Common, an area steeped in military history, and visit the Huff Duff (an old directional station) and associated bunker.
This walk usually takes between 1.5 hours and two hours, covering a distance of 4.3 miles.
Denny Wood
This easy to follow five mile walk or cycle ride uses tracks that pass through ancient woodland and centuries-old woodland enclosures.
Denny Wood has been described as an “absolute must” for leaf lovers due to the area’s bright colour palette.
Within Denny Wood, the route passes through ancient and ornamental woodland which are commonly frequented by fallow deer, roe deer and commoners' stock.
In addition to the prospect of seeing deer, wildlife highlights potentially include a wide range of woodland birds, such as great spotted woodpeckers and more elusive lesser spotted woodpeckers, nuthatches, treecreepers, stock doves and tawny owls.
Fritham
Walk through gorgeous woodland around Fritham and see grazing ponies, as well as other wildlife along the way.
Previous walkers have suggested the best starting point is at the Abbotswell end, heading to Fritham for lunch and then returning to Abbotswell afterwards.
The walk contains some moderate gradients, but the path is well gravelled throughout.
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