Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest Pole Hill Obelisk Walking Route

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest Pole Hill Obelisk Walking Route

This Essex walk in Epping Forest starts in Chingford by the Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge and heads straight over to the Obelisk at Pole Hill where it then climbs up steadily north to Lippitts Hill before meandering back down to Chingford via the Centenary Walk. There was still plenty of snow lining our walking route so Tedi and I set off making sure we were equally wrapped up as warm as possible for a chilly walk in Epping Forest  with a few extra layers of walking clothes, walking trousers, walking boots and a few essentials in the back of the child carrier.

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest Pole Hill Obelisk Walking Route – Fountain

From the newly refurbished Warren Pond car park opposite the Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge I crossed Rangers Road and walked right around the also newly refurbished Butlers Retreat turning immediately left on to the track passed the old water fountain descending downhill to a main track on the edge of the long horn cattle grazing area. I then turned left and walked along the pathway to the road junction and the edge of Chingford Green passing the Chingford Golf Club House on my right hand side crossing the road to a track as it climbed slightly uphill in to the woodlands. I then continued walking straight ahead and up to the top to discover the earthworks turning left to Pole Hill and the Obelisk where we quickly checked out the view and took a few photographs before turning back to the earthworks and keeping to the left hand side where I then reached a small path that kept to the higher ground following it as it meandered round through woodland to the wood’s edge and the golf course.

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest Pole Hill Obelisk Walking Route

I then kept left to a white-topped signpost following the track to the right before turning left and walking downhill continuing to follow the white-topped signposts and down to the open space by the edge of Hawk Wood on my right hand side. I now joined a section of the London Loop turning right and then left to walk uphill following the London Loop signposts to the top where I then walked right following the track by the trees to a junction of pathways by the reservoir where I then turned left along the track which emerged by the Gilwell Park buildings on my left hand side.

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest Pole Hill Obelisk Walking Route – The Hawk Wood

At the junction of the Gilwell Park drive and main entrance I turned right at the signpost for High Beach just before the end of the drive and Bury Road where I turned left on to the London Loop pathway walking all the way up to The Barn and pond to cross the road and turn right at the bridleway signpost where I then turned right at the next bridleway signpost to Lippitts Hill. I then climbed uphill again by the edge of the golf course walking straight ahead on the wide path between the fairways to the high point following the fenced and hedged path to the left where I then passed the Monument to the 18th AAA Battery on my right hand side where I then joined Lippitts Hill road.

Walks And Walking – Essex Walks Epping Forest Pole Hill Obelisk Walking Route – Snow!

After a short while I then turned right taking the second signpost on the left to Church Road just before The Elms Camp site with The Owl Inn just ahead turning right alongside the edge of the mobile homes to kissing gates where I then continued walking along the edge of the field to stiles and Church Road beside the Suntrap Field Centre on my right hand side. I then crossed over to my right and in to another section of Epping Forest following the track to a gravel track and the very familiar Centenary Walk and on to the Green Ride turning right on to the track with the open space of Whitehouse Plain on my right hand side. I then followed this wide track right and then left keeping straight ahead at the junction of paths and followed it left and right passed the ponds where it then went slightly downhill to the forest edge and cattle grazing area where I then walked slightly to the right and gently climbed up the grassy track to Butlers Retreat and the old fountain turning left on to the road and crossing to the right and back to the car park after completing a snowy 6 miles taking just under 2 hours.