Woodland & Forest Walks: Wander Through the Trees

Step off the beaten track and into the shade of the trees. These woodland and forest walks are all about calm, quiet, and reconnecting with nature. Whether you’re crunching through autumn leaves, following winding paths beneath ancient oaks, or spotting bluebells in spring, there’s something magical about walking in the woods. Ideal for slower-paced strolls, family days out, or just a bit of peace and birdsong.

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  Blagdon Lake Circular Walk – Mendip Hills, lakeside paths, wooded tracks, open farmland, and plenty of Somerset charm.
  This is a proper countryside wander: lakeside paths, wooded tracks, open farmland, and plenty of Mendip charm. Blagdon Lake was created in 1898 as part of Bristol’s water supply system, and today it’s a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, brilliant for birdwatching. The route follows the shore for a good chunk before looping back through fields and quiet lanes, with cracking views across to the hills.
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  Mount Fuji Yoshida Trail – Climbing Japan’s Highest Peak at (3,776m) from Yamanashi, the North Side.
  The Yoshida Trail is the most popular route up Mount Fuji, starting from the 5th Station at around 2,300m and climbing to the summit at 3,776m. It’s busy, especially during the official climbing season (July–early September), but the infrastructure of huts, signposts, and safety patrols make it the most accessible way to reach the top. The reward: standing above the clouds to watch the sunrise from Japan’s highest point.
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  Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage (Temples 1–6, Tokushima): Starting at Ryozen-ji passing shrines, farm lanes and quiet suburban streets to reach Anraku-ji, Shikoku, Japan.
  This featured day walk covers Temples 1–6 of the Shikoku pilgrimage, starting at Ryozen-ji and passing village shrines, farm lanes and quiet suburban streets to reach Anraku-ji. It’s a perfect first taste of the henro way, as you have easy gradients, good signage, and lots of small experiences like bell rings, incense, and the first temple stamps in your nōkyōchō. You can keep going further (Temples 7–10), or return to Tokushima for the night.
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  Nakasendō Trail (Kiso Valley), Magome to Tsumago – One of Edo-period Japan’s great highways with mountain passes between Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo).
  The Nakasendō was one of Edo-period Japan’s great highways, threading mountain passes between Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo). Its Kiso Valley section — especially Magome → Tsumago — is the most beloved day walk: 8–9 km of cobbles, forest lanes, tea houses and rice terraces, with an optional continuation to Nagiso for a longer day. It’s living history underfoot, and one of Japan’s most photogenic rambles.
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  Kōyasan Choishi-michi Trail from Kudoyama (Jison-in) to Kōyasan – Sacred Pilgrimage via Mount Kōya, Japan
  The Choishi-michi is the classic pilgrim approach to Kōyasan. Beginning at Jison-in in Kudoyama, it follows stone waymarkers (the choishi) as it climbs into cedar forests and along old mountain lanes to the bright vermilion Daimon Gate on Kōyasan’s ridge. At roughly 21 km, it’s a full day on the feet — but the rhythm of shrines, statues, and tea-stop hamlets turns the climb into a meditative journey.
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  Kohechi Route, Kii Mountains from Kōyasan to Hongu, crossing 1,000m-class passes and dropping into remote river valleys – Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail, Japan
  The Kohechi cuts straight through the heart of the Kii Mountains from Kōyasan to Hongu, crossing multiple 1,000m-class passes and dropping into remote river valleys. It’s shorter than Nakahechi (roughly 65–70 km) but typically feels tougher: steep ascents, equally steep descents, and long, quiet stretches between tiny settlements. This is the pilgrimage route for hikers who like solitude, big climbs, and the reward of onsen towns at day’s end. Recommended for experienced walkers.
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  Hiking the Nakahechi Trail, Kumano Kodo, a UNESCO World Heritage Pilgrimage Route Guide – The Kii Peninsula (Wakayama), Japan.
  The Nakahechi is the most popular section of the Kumano Kodo, one of only two UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage networks in the world (the other being the Camino de Santiago in Spain). This sacred trail winds through the misty mountains of the Kii Peninsula, taking pilgrims from Tanabe inland through quiet cedar forests, tiny mountain hamlets, and ancient stone paths to the Grand Shrines of Kumano.
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  Waun Fach Circular – 16 km Ridge Walk from Mynydd Du Car Park, via Chwarel y Fan, Rhos Dirion and Pen y Manllwyn.
  This classic high ridge walk (approx. 16 km / 10 miles) explores the eastern escarpment of the Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park. Starting from Blaen-y-Cwm, it climbs steeply to the airy summit of Chwarel y Fan, the eastern most 2000-footer in Wales, and follows the remote Cambrian Way over Rhos Dirion, Pen y Manllwyn and the eroded dome of Waun Fach, the highest peak in the Black Mountains.
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  Buttermere Circular Walk – One of the Lake District’s Best Low-Level All Abilities Lake Walks.
  If you’re looking for an easy, photogenic walk in the Lake District, Buttermere is a solid gold classic. This circular lake route is suitable for all abilities and has everything you could want from a short low-level walk – mountain views, waterfalls, woodland, and reflections galore.
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  Richmond Park Circular Walk – The Tamsin Trail & King Henry’s Mound has Wild Deer, Views & Woodland in the Heart of Greater London.
  Richmond Park is one of the best urban walking spots in the UK. Despite being just 30 minutes from Central London, it feels like a true escape – with open grasslands, ancient oak trees, and hundreds of free-roaming deer. For other Greater London walks, check out my Tube Trekking section, for other off the main tourist area routes, which start and end at various Tube Stations.
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  Llanthony Priory circular up to Hatterall ridge via Black Mountain South Top, along Offa’s Dyke path on the Wales, England border.
  LLanthony Priory is a partly ruined former Augustinian Priory, in the secluded Vale of Ewyas, a steep-sided once-glaciated valley within the Black Mountains area of the Brecon Beacons National Park in Monmouthshire. Above the priory sits ‘Hatterall Hill & Ridge’ on the border of England & Wales, which this route takes you on, before making your way down close to Black Mountain South Top, and returning to the priory, for a great welcome at the cafe/bar.
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  Clytha Park Circular Walk – Coed y Bwnydd Iron Age Hillfort, Bettws Newydd Hamlet & Clytha Castle Folly.
  Ramble through an 18th-century estate, taking in the wildlife-rich River Usk and Coed y Bwnydd – the largest and one of the best preserved hillforts in Monmouthshire. There are beautiful views of the Sugar Loaf, wider Usk Valley and Clytha Castle, one of Wales’s most outstanding 18th-century follies.
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  Beacon Batch on Black Down Hill, Circular Hike through Rowberrow Warren Wood, Mendip Hills, Somerset
  Cheddar Gorge has so much to offer, we walked the ‘Cliff-Top Circular Walk’, had magnificent views of the Mendips & Somerset and beyond, climbed the ‘Lookout Tower, descended Jacobs Ladder’ then enjoyed ice cream, shopping and some beautiful water gardens in ‘Cheddar Gorge’ town, which is nestled between the gorge cliff sides.
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  Cheddar Gorge Cliff-Top Circular Walk, Jacob’s Ladder & Lookout Tower overlooking the Mendips.
  Cheddar Gorge has so much to offer, we walked the ‘Cliff-Top Circular Walk’, had magnificent views of the Mendips & Somerset and beyond, climbed the ‘Lookout Tower, descended Jacobs Ladder’ then enjoyed ice cream, shopping and some beautiful water gardens in ‘Cheddar Gorge’ town, which is nestled between the gorge cliff sides.
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  The Skirrid (Ysgyryd Fawr) Circular Walk in the Black Mountains, Abergavenny
  The Skirrid is the smallest of the 3 in Abergavenny, but I think it may have the best views in every direction, and if you can get up there for a sunset, you will be able to see the sun drop right behind the sugar loaf opposite, it is an amazing experience.
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  4 Waterfalls Walk from Gwaun Hepste Car Park – Brecon Beacons National Park
  The Four Waterfalls Walk in the Bannau Brycheiniog is one of the best walks you can do, and although quite a tough day, it is definitely a family day, and you even get to walk under a waterfall.
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  Sugar Loaf, Abergavenny – Up St Mary’s Vale Wood, Down Deri Allt Valley
  This is the very first mountain I hiked up, and for a long time it was the only one I did every Sunday morning, and gradually I built up the confidence and the kit to go explore other places, but this mountain is a classic, and it has fantastic views, and the good thing is, it has easier & harder routes up and you can add it into other routes just as easily.
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  Blorenge Circular Walk, from Llanfoist nr. Abergavenny – via the Punchbowl & Keepers Pond
  The Blorenge is one of three mountains that surround the town of Abergavenny, the other two which you can see from the top are the Sugar Loaf and the Skirrid. These are a part of the Black Mountains at the foot of the Brecon Beacons and at the bottom of the Blorenge is the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal, which you will walk under as you start this walk.
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  Crickhowell, Llangattock Escarpment circular up to Craig Y Cilau & visit Eglwys Faen or Church Cave
  Crickhowell and Llangattock have a large number of hiking and walking routes in and around the villages and mountains, and this once again starts in the Crickhowell Secondary school car park, which is always available to park in as I mostly head out on Sundays, so when visiting Crickhowell, be sure to try that School car park first.
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  Twmbarlwm Circular Walk – Iron Age Hill Fort walk above Cwmcarn, South Wales
  Many people will know this area for different reasons, the Cwmcarn forest drive is very popular and a really nice day out, and this mountain is also very popular with mountain bikers, and add in the Twmbarlwm Walk, and you have an all-round beautiful spot for everyone, this is a beautiful walk, topped off with a visit to the Iron Age Hillfort.
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  Symonds Yat Circular Walk – King Arthurs Cave, Biblins Bridge, Hearkening Rock, Symonds Yat Rock & the River Wye
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  Bristol – Clifton Suspension Bridge, Leigh Woods, the Rock Slide, River Avon & Clifton Observatory Circular
  All of my walking guides and adventures are free to read, and always will be. To help keep them coming, I’ve partnered with a few carefully chosen affiliate sites —… Read more: Bristol – Clifton Suspension Bridge, Leigh Woods, the Rock Slide, River Avon & Clifton Observatory Circular
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  The Kymin Circular, Monmouth – River Wye, Wye Valley Walk, Redbrook and the Offas Dyke Path
  Take a blanket and a bit of food and relax by the river under a tree, or on the way to The Kymin, it’s a unique walk that has a beautiful river, loads of land, Wye Valley Walk the Offa’s Dyke path, The Kymin and Monmouth itself!
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  Sugar Loaf Circular, Abergavenny – Classic, Easier, Shorter Route
  This is the very first mountain I hiked up, and for a long time it was the only one I did every Sunday morning, and gradually I built up the confidence and the kit to go explore other places, but this mountain is a classic, and it has fantastic views, and the good thing is, it has easier & harder routes up and you can add it into other routes just as easily.
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  Wye Valley Walk – Old Station Tintern, Cleddon Falls, River Wye back to Brockweir Bridge Circular
  The Wye Valley Walk can be picked up at various points, and just outside Tintern there is a little gem called the ‘Old Station Tintern’ it is the perfect place to start a hike. The Old Station Tintern has a good safe car park, and then huge open areas to explore, and recently they refurbished some railway carriages which you can walk through and learn a huge amount about the local history and information. I have posted all the pics below, so you can see for yourself.
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  Chepstow, Tutshill, Lancaut Walk, Wintour’s Leap, Woodcroft Circular – Monmouthshire
  Described as one of the most diverse wooded areas in Britain, you are walking through a secluded and mystical woodland alongside the River Wye, you will hopefully see Peregrine Falcon’s, discover St James’s Church which was built in 1100’s and make your way to ‘Wintour’s Leap’ high above the River Wye on limestone cliffs.
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  Chepstow 365 Steps, Tintern Abbey & Local Industrial History, St Arvans Circular
  The Wye Valley is such a beautiful area. This route starts at Lower Wyndcliff car park, heads to the Eagle’s nest via the 365 steps, then along the Wye Valley Walk to Tintern Abbey, you will see the industrial history of the Anghidi Valley & Tintern Abbey Furnace, the ancient iron foundry & returning through woodlands to St Arvans & back to Wyndcliff.
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  Crickhowell to Sugar Loaf Circular Walk, Abergavenny, Black Mountains
  It’s amazing how many of our walks have started in Crickhowell, and they are all different, and this is another special one as on the way you pass by some of the most beautiful Welsh cottages I have ever seen, and the lush green fields and woods as you head to the Sugar Loaf in Abergavenny, makes this really special.