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Route: Epping Forest Challenge Walk (UK)

Location
United Kingdom
Distance
30 km
Vertical Gain
415 m
Description

The Epping Forest Challenge Walk is the creation of prolific walker John Merrill. The walk provides a series of vantage points over Essex, Hertfordshire and London. The route which has historical associations with with Queen Boadicea and the Iceni is a walk through different landscapes including beech and oak forest, riverside and marshes. The walk starts and finishes at Waltham Abbey and throughout its course visits Harold's Bridge, Cornmill Stream, River Lee Country Park, Warlies Park, Copped Hall, Epping Thicks, Ambresbury Banks Hill Fort, Jack's Hill, Copley Plain, Great Monk Wood, Epping Forest Centre, Long Hills, Bury Wood, Queen Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge, Chingford Plain, The Hawk Wood, Yardley Hill, King George's Reservoir, Enfield Island Village, Enfield Lock, Ramney Marsh and Holdbrook.

A delightful John Merrill walk around Epping Forest with vantage points over Essex, Hertfordshire and London. This 18 mile route takes you across dragonfly meadows, over small hills past places associated with Queen Boadicea, through beech and oak forest where deer and fox roam and beside a historic canal. The highlight of the route is the historic Waltham Abbey where King Harold is reputedly buried.

GPS Track
Epping_Forest_Challenge.gpx490.91 KB

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Profile picture for user Balazs Kuris

Balazs Kuris
Mon, 02/02/2026 - 02:19am

Hi all,
I ran this route on Saturday (31/01/2026 Garmin: 31.90 km, 3:28:11) not with the intention of challenging the current FKT, but to recce the course and enjoy the run.

Conditions were extremely tough. Large sections of the trail were completely submerged, and much of the forest was deep, boggy mud. In a few places, I nearly lost a shoe, and on some of the steeper hills I had to pull myself up using tree branches due to the slick ground. It was one of those days where just staying upright felt like an achievement.

I also encountered a metal gate partway through the course (around the 22 km mark) with signage stating “Private land – Guarded by dogs.” It took me around five minutes to find a way around it. Given that the most recent FKT was set in 2020, I suspect this access restriction may have been added since then, and the route might need reviewing or a small re-route to avoid private land.

Despite the brutal conditions, this is a really enjoyable course, and I imagine it would be fantastic in drier weather. I’m glad I ran it, and wanted to share this information for anyone planning an attempt. I will definitely be running this route again when the weather gets better.

Thanks!

Balázs