An easy waymarked walk through the Arboretum to experience the woodland and take in the variety of tree species. There are regular seats with backs to rest on along this route.
Start: Blackwater car park, Grid ref. SU 268 047
(S/E) To start the Heartwood Trail, go under the oak archway, cross over the Rhinefield Ornamental Drive and continue up the gravel track for a short distance to a second oak archway where the trail begins. This Forestry Commission trail can be followed using the sensory information boards on the route. Just follow the boards round the trail to enjoy an easy to follow the route for all.(S/E)
Start/finish: Blackwater car park, Grid ref. SU 268 047
Ordnance Survey map: Explorer OL 22 New Forest
Getting there: No public transport links, parking at Blackwater car park.
Local facilities: Blackwater car park has space for 50 cars with two spaces reserved for disabled visitors. It has toilets and disabled access toilets, picnic tables, bike racks and an information point.
Accessibility: This short circular trail has a fairly smooth gravelled surface with one very gentle slope from the car park to the start of the trail. The remainder of the trail is level with frequent resting places and is accessed via a gate which has a low, soft catch. The narrowest width along the route is 1.1m at the entrance gate to the Arboretum; this is also the only gate along the route.
Note: Please be aware of the New Forest Code when walking in the National Park.]
Find more information and walks at New Forest National Park here.
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
Blackwater has some of the oldest and most striking firs in all of the New Forest. These impressive trees were planted in the 1850s to create what is now known as Rhinefield Ornamental Drive.
This Forestry England trail can be followed using the sensory information boards on the route. Just follow the boards round the trail to enjoy an easy to follow route for all. There are regular seats with backs to rest on along this route.
Tall Trees Trail alternative
Walker 
2.80 km
+10 m
-10 m
0h 50
Easy
Departure from Brockenhurst (Hampshire)
A flat circular walk with views of two enormous redwoods and using a part of the Tall Trees Trail.
Blackwater : Tall Trees Trail
National Park 2.28 km
+8 m
-8 m
0h 40
Easy
Departure from Brockenhurst (Hampshire)
A woodland walk for all seasons. Stimulate your senses on this short trail around the Forestry Commission's Blackwater Arboretum, with its small but nationally important collection of trees from all over the world. Sensory information boards along the trail. This walk takes you past majestic conifers planted in the 1850s, some of the oldest Douglas fir trees in Britain and includes views of two enormous redwoods.
Blackwater : Tall Trees Arboretum LinkNational Park 1.77 km
+7 m
-7 m
0h 30
Easy
Departure from Brockenhurst (Hampshire)
This is an easy walk through woodland, passing through the Arboretum which houses a beautiful collection of trees from many countries. The walk passes Scrag Hill Nursery and ends with a stroll down a short section of the Tall Trees Trail.
Knightwood Oak StrollNational Park 0.57 km
+3 m
-3 m
0h 10
Easy
Departure from Minstead (Hampshire)
Starting from Knightwood Oak car park, this walk visits the largest oak in the forest.
Brockenhurst villageNational Park 8.13 km
+11 m
-11 m
2h 20
Easy
Departure from Brockenhurst (Hampshire)
Brockenhurst is a picturesque village in the heart of the New Forest surrounded by some of the loveliest Forest landscapes. Starting from the village with its famous watersplash, this varied walk takes you across grazed lawns and through riverside woodlands before skirting around the edge of the village to take in some great heathland views. Return through the village to Brockenhurst station.
Bolderwood : Jubilee Grove TrailNational Park 1.69 km
+39 m
-39 m
0h 35
Easy
Departure from Minstead (Hampshire)
Wander into Bolderwood and back via the deer viewing platform. Starting from Bolderwood car park this meandering route leads you past the deer fields and some majestic trees, the oldest of which date back to 1860. Unfortunately a large number of trees were lost in the Great Storms of 1987 and 1991, but many new trees have been planted and more will be planted over the coming years.
Bolderwood: Deer Watch TrailNational Park 0.95 km
+28 m
-28 m
0h 20
Easy
Departure from Minstead (Hampshire)
Spot deer on this very short circular walk. This short stroll from Bolderwood car park leads you to a deer viewing platform overlooking fields where wild herds of fallow deer are regularly seen. From Easter to mid-September the herd is fed daily by one of the Forestry England keepers.
Burley villageNational Park 6.82 km
+43 m
-38 m
2h 05
Easy
Departure from New Forest (Hampshire)
This walk starts at the village centre before setting out on a circular walk around the edge of the village. There is a gentle uphill climb along Castle Hill Lane where there are good views across the Avon Valley; the perfect setting for stories about dragons and smugglers. The route passes an ancient hill fort on Castle Hill before descending back to the village and along the edge of the Open Forest. The walks return to the village centre past pretty Forest properties and the Queen's Head pub.
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