Description
This is a replacement for LOUEPP 2 where the route file has a problem and won't load onto mapping apps.
This route is through Epping Forest on paths that are usually quite firm but can be muddy in places. You are advised to take adequate fluid and food etc with you as there are no supplies on most of the route. This route is enjoyable all year round, but is unlit during hours of darkness.
This route is surprisingly hilly, for a part of the world often thought by outsiders to be flat.
The beech forest looks very different at times of the year. A GPS locator is useful as there are many paths together with a map. People walking from Epping to Loughton should watch carefully for the right turn path towards off the main Forest Road track towards Furze Ground between Jack's Hill and Golding's Hill
It is possible to leave the route and join the public bus service at Golding's Hill should you need to do so, approximately hourly - check timetable on line
This is a replacement for LOUEPP 2 where the route file has a problem and won't load onto mapping apps.
This route is through Epping Forest on paths that are usually quite firm but can be muddy in places. You are advised to take adequate fluid and food etc with you as there are no supplies on most of the route. This route is enjoyable all year round, but is unlit during hours of darkness.
This route is surprisingly hilly, for a part of the world often thought by outsiders to be flat.
The beech forest looks very different at times of the year. A GPS locator is useful as there are many paths together with a map. People walking from Epping to Loughton should watch carefully for the right turn path towards off the main Forest Road track towards Furze Ground between Jack's Hill and Golding's Hill
It is possible to leave the route and join the public bus service at Golding's Hill should you need to do so, approximately hourly - check timetable on line
Status
This route has been reviewed by 6 people.
There are no issues flagged.
Photos for Louepp three
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Information
Route status - Live
Reviews - 6
Average rating -
Is this route good enough? - Yes (6)
There are currently no problems reported with this route.
Downloads - 11
Surveys
What is this route like?
Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.
Grade 4X based on 1 surveys | Sign up or log in to survey this route. | ||
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Description | Note | ||
Grade 4: Route includes very rough surfaces including deep ruts, steep loose gravel, unmade paths and deep muddy sections. Wheelchairs may experience traction/wheel spin issues. Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users. |
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys. | ||
Full grading description |
Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.
Survey Photos
Facilities
Facilities in the middle third of this route.
Challenges
Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.
Obstacles
Obstacles on this route.
Accessibility
Is this route step and stile free?
Measurements
Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.
The narrowest part of the path is 120.0cm (1)
The steepest uphill gradient walking East 19.0% (1)
The steepest uphill gradient walking West 19.0% (1)
The steepest camber gradient across the path 4.0% (1)
How clear is the waymarking on the route: Unsigned (1)
Successfully completed
We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.
Recommended by an expert
We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.
Terrain
We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.
15.0% of the route is on roads (1)
There is no data on how much of this route is lit at night
75.0% of the route is paved (1)
10.0% of the route is muddy (1)
10.0% of the route is over rough ground (1)
10.0% of the route is through long grass (1)
Report a problem with this data
1 surveys
Information from verified surveys.
Geography information system (GIS) data
Total length
Maximum elevation
Minimum elevation
Start and end points
Loughton
Grid Ref
TQ4229795657
Lat / Lon
51.64172° / 0.05507°
Easting / Northing
542,297E / 195,657N
What3Words
senior.clear.sizes
Epping
Grid Ref
TL4619301556
Lat / Lon
51.69373° / 0.11380°
Easting / Northing
546,193E / 201,556N
What3Words
bonus.toned.supporter
Loughton | |
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Grid Ref | TQ4229795657 |
Lat / Lon | 51.64172° / 0.05507° |
Easting / Northing | 542,297E / 195,657N |
What3Words | senior.clear.sizes |
Epping | |
---|---|
Grid Ref | TL4619301556 |
Lat / Lon | 51.69373° / 0.11380° |
Easting / Northing | 546,193E / 201,556N |
What3Words | bonus.toned.supporter |
Sorry Land Cover data is not currently available for this route. Please check back later.
reviews
Strider
17 May 2024I walked from Liughton to Epping.
Quickly out of Loughton and up a very muddy path to the main path running the length of the forest. The path undulates, 19% in places. Shady due to the trees that assume all sorts of shapes. Bird song the whole way.
Too muddy for wheels and with steps.
Slow Ways Darren
12 Jan 2023Excellent route through Epping Forest. The path is easy to follow and wide and mainly not too muddy even in the depths of winter. There are great facilities and transport links at either end. There's an interesting part towards the end where you walk over a cricket pitch that is on top of the M25 tunnel. There is a less safe! road crossing across the B172 which was pretty busy but the site lines are good. Fred and Dougs cafe in Epping had amazing cakes, great coffee and a warm welcome.
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Dan Barron
09 Jan 2023I walked this from Loughton to Epping in the snow on 17/12/2022, it was a really lovely walk and still easy enough to follow through the forest especially once you reached the bridleway. The roads at either end were icy in places though. Easy access to the Central Line at each end as well as shops to get some supplies for the walk. I only took one picture at the time which isn't very helpful!.
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Jane Taylor
11 Dec 2022Excellent route, making the most of Epping Forest and a fantastic way to approach London if walking from Epping towards Loughton. I’ve given 5 stars because I enjoyed every part of it; even the short urban sections at either end were pleasant.
Walked on a frosty day and had no issues with mud; the forest track is wide and easy to follow, quite a few ups and downs as well.
The gps went wild when crossing the M25 tunnel, and there were several places in the forest where data signal disappeared.
Good refreshments at the Forest Gate pub on the Epping side of the M25. Plenty at Loughton; Epping station had a little kiosk on the platform serving tea and snacks, but the route misses the town centre; you may want to divert if you need proper food at the Epping end.
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Mtormey
04 Sep 2022 (edited 05 Sep 2022)This is, for sure, the most accurately plotted version of this route, and the one I'd recommend setting out to follow. The route itself is easy to follow - almost all of it is along the main broad walkway through the forest - and straightforward. It is indeed surprisingly hilly. I found it to be a bit dull, to be frank, as there was all this up and down through forest without much of a payoff in terms of views of varied scenery. As a route between Loughton and Epping, though, this is a no-brainer great option.
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John Scott
20 Aug 2022I walked from Epping to Loughton using the OS app on my phone. I wandered off the route on one or two occasions but easily found my way back - in places, there are intersecting paths.
A very enjoyable route on a summer's day, large parts of which are on a wide and shaded forest path. The start is easily accessible by public transport, namely the Central Line. There were walkers and cyclists enjoying the route.
No stiles, kissing gates or major obstacles. Some elevation but nothing hectic. The route is safe so eg road crossings are minimal, the map is very accurate and there are no major access issues.
There is a pub and restaurant on the outskirts of Epping along with a coffee stall which is open Saturday and Sunday.
Loughton has all the usual facilities and a station.
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