The section between Ongar Road and Epping Lane was problematic. The horses in the field nearer to Epping Lane were too much in the way for me to feel safe to cross the field. From there it is a gentle downhill towards the outskirts of Epping, where the last section is all up hill again towards the finish (photo #13)....

Derick Rethans

After some residential streets in Chigwell (photo #1) and fields (photo #2, #3), the route takes you along a narrow footpath along Vicarage Lane to cross Chigwell Row Wood to join the London LOOP with good paths (photo #5). The footpath along the road is okay here (photo #4)....

Derick Rethans

There is not much in Stapleford, a beautiful Church and a good Gastropub (The Rabbits). More fields, short parts along quiet roads, and farm tracks all lead to The Mores Woodland where bluebells were just beginning to pop up, this will look superb when the flowers come out. This is a beautiful and varied walk, which will be more so in the warmer months....

Strider

The route cuts through private land with closed gate. then having got back on track by going North and around but further on there was an illegally locked gate on a right-of-way. I found an alternative route down a bridleway close-by and have posted it as Stabren two....

Strider

There is some road walking, rather more than I would have liked, in particular the section along the B173 Lambourne Road, and Vicarage Lane - the name suggests sleepy Miss Marple territory, but it's a fast feeder for the nearby B road. The long section along Hook Lane at Stapleford Abbots (c 1.5 km) I didn't find so troublesome - no pavement but a wide verge, fewer cars, and by and large considerate drivers....

Jane Taylor

Then over fields and around field edges and past the end of an aerodrome. An invisible path across a field (bearing 310) takes you to Patch Park, a small industrial estate, then past Mayhem paintball with a yellow tank. There is a tunnel under the M11 after which the path becomes indistinct, head uphill and slightly right to a gap where a track takes you down to another tunnel under the M25....

Strider

Soon out of the recreation ground over very wet (River Rodding flood plain) riverside paths, good boots required. More field edges and footbridges bring you to a road, cross by the bus stops and take a short cut-through to the church at Stapleford Abbotts. A damp walk with mud and puddles and ditches, lots of narrow footbridges and some invisible paths....

Strider

Then the least enjoyable section which was the pavement walking on Manor Road and Vicarage Lane - it was a relief to jump off that for the final stretch to Chigwell station and easy to get home on the Central Line!...

Dan Barron

While it is just good enough to pass, I think a better route can definitely be found....

Dan Barron

(1) Narrow muddy paths and some road walking bring you to a (2) serene woodland (or four) with wide leaf strewn paths and easy walking....

Strider

Nice parks and golf courses. Not easy to navigate, poor signage on golf courses, and hidden turnings. Despite the positives this was a difficult walk, which would be slightly better in summer...

Strider