Best Ringwood Walks - Find Out More | New Forest Collection

It’ll come as little surprise that, like much of the New Forest, the area around Ringwood boasts some great walking trails.

Whether you’re a hardcore hiker or weekend rambler, here’s a selection of six of our favourite walks near Ringwood, which vary in length and degree of difficulty.

The good news is, whichever one you tackle, there’s always a local pub close by to refresh and reward yourself…

Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve Loop from Poulner

This is a lovely easy walk of just over four miles, which starts and finishes at the bus station and takes in the beauty of the local nature reserve on the edge of Ringwood.

The Smugglers Road – Ziegler Passage Loop from Hightown

As you’ll know if you’ve visited Buckler’s Hard, this area of the New Forest was once rife with smugglers – so it should come as no surprise that there’s somewhere called Smugglers Road.

This walk is just under five miles in length and is intermediate in difficulty, so should take about two hours. Look out for the Ziegler Passage stone markers, and also a rather grand bench to rest any weary feet.

Water Meadows Loop

Now this one may be about five miles too, but it’s pretty easy, and the surfaces are usually road, footpath or path. You’re rewarded with a leisurely walk around these stunning meadows and the flora and fauna which call them home.

Take a packed lunch and make a morning or afternoon of it…

The Alice Lisle Pub – Blashford Lakes Nature Reserve Loop from Ringwood

Now this is one of the harder walks in the New Forest, clocking in at 12 miles, but you’re rewarded with some great pubs. It all starts at The Lamb public house, and takes in some of the same sights as the Smugglers Road trail, with the Alice Lisle pub coming in at the nine mile mark.

If you’re wondering who she was, Alice Lisle was a landed lady from Hampshire, who was executed for harbouring fugitives after the defeat of the Monmouth Rebellion at the Battle of Sedgemoor.

Linwood and Ellingham

At about four and a half miles, this is pretty easy going and will take about two hours. Perfect for hiking, walking and trail running, it features rolling agricultural hills and winding rivers

There aren’t many hills either, so a great one for all the family. You’ll need to climb a few fences, and it can get very muddy halfway through, so wellies may be required.

Hightown, Burley Street and Bransgore Circular

At just over 13 miles, this loop is moderately challenging, but a lot of it is on road or paved paths. Great for bird watching opportunities and the odd bit of trainspotting too, as the route crosses the Southampton-Dorchester Railway line several times.