New Forest Dog Walk
4 people attending
11 places left
This walk is ideal for all members with dogs! Bring them along.
Or if you don't have a dog to bring, come along anyway, but bring treats!
With the amount of dogs we usually get on our walks - now a walk for them! It's fairly flat route through inclosures and across open heath and woodland. A little bit of road where they will of course need to be on a lead. There will be livestock in areas - so please be aware.
From the shattered hulks of ancient trees come new life. Bracken fiddleheads unfurl from mats of brown fronds. The air rings to the sounds of bullfinch, goldcrest and Dartford warbler. The miracle of summer comes round again.
All of the New Forest's landscapes will be seen: from bog and stream to heath and wood, from grazed grasslands and enclosed parklands to oak thicket and pine plantation, while at the centre of it all, and at half-time and lunchtime, we'll see the 'capital' of the Forest: Lyndhurst.
The first half of our route involves heading west to Lyndhurst. We'll walk through Longdown Inclosure, over the railway line, across Matley Heath and along a path parallel with the Beaulieu Road over White Moor. This stretch of the walk contains some of the best scenery in the Forest. We will have lunch at the Beaulieu Road Inn, I won't book a table as we'll probably eat outside, they welcome well behaved dogs. We will then make our way back across the heath to Longdown.
Waitlist: This event could become fully booked, but if you'd like to attend, please add yourself to the waitlist. Places often become available closer to the date, and you are likely to get one.
IMPORTANT! Participation Statement:
You MUST complete a Participation Statement, in addition to booking your event space before attending an OutdoorLads event. You only need to complete this Participation Statement once, not for each event you attend.
Dogs are welcome to join us on this event but we do ask the following: Please ensure you adhere to the Countryside Code at all times - see (Keeping Dogs Under Effective Control) If your dog is uncontrolled and strays in open land frightening other animals or livestock, the leader is supported by the OutdoorLads board of trustees to ask you to leave the event as this is not acceptable behaviour.
What to bring
For your comfort and safety please be prepared for the anticipated weather and the terrain of the walk - keep in mind the following:
Boots: hiking boots that are both waterproof and breathable, and provide good ankle support, are important as soon as you encounter any mud. Stout waterproof walking boots are essential as some of the forest may be boggy.
Socks: proper walking socks keep your feet dry, and help prevent blisters.
Walking trousers: (ideally water resistant) will be more comfortable than jeans which are heavy and cold when wet. From April to October shorts are usually a better bet.
Waterproof over-trousers: essential in any significant rainfall. Breathable ones are best.
Layered clothing: allows you to quickly adapt to changes in the weather as well as body temperature. E.g. a base layer or a cotton T-Shirt; a mid layer like a micro fleece, or a rugby type thick shirt, and in cooler weather an outer layer consisting of a windproof jacket or a thick fleece.
Waterproof jacket: essential when hiking in all but the calmest of weather. You get what you pay for with these. Breathable fabrics are advisable.
Hat: essential in summer to prevent sunburn and heatstroke.
Small rucksack: one that is comfortable to wear is essential so that you can use your arms freely. Place valuables in water proof bags inside.
Sunglasses: April-Sept: comfortable sunglasses enhance your pleasure and keep insects out of the eye.
Water: even in winter one can loose a litre or more of fluid by perspiration. If you fail to make this up you'll get dehydrated which can lead to headaches and other problems. A hydration bladder is easier to use than bottled water, but higher maintenance.
Food: lunch can be brought along or bought in Lyndhurst In addition carry energy bars or similar to counter 'sugar lows'.
Medicines: if you have allergies, are diabetic, or have minor ailments don't forget these!
Food & drink
Please bring water for yourselves and the dogs