wellness
Epping Locals Discover Hidden Nature Walks Tourists Never Find
Epping residents are turning to unmarked trails for morning runs and weekend hikes away from the main visitor routes.
How we reported this
Residents in Epping have increased use of unmarked paths in the woodlands off St John's Road since the start of June, according to footfall counters installed by the Epping Forest District Council.
Wellness routines in the area shifted after the council's spring promotion of outdoor activity logged 4,200 participants in group sessions through May, pushing many locals toward quieter routes to avoid peak-hour crowds on the main forest tracks.
Two trails that stay off visitor maps
The path network behind Epping Sports Centre on High Street links to a 2.8-kilometre loop that skirts the edge of Bell Common without crossing into the signed heritage routes. A second set of tracks starts at the northern end of Ivy Chimneys Road and runs through Epping Lower Forest for 3.4 kilometres before rejoining the road near the old cricket pavilion. Both sections are maintained by the Epping Society's volunteer path-clearing team that meets on the first Saturday of each month.
Epping Forest District Council recorded 2.1 million visits to the main forest entrances in the twelve months to March 2026, yet the same counters placed on the St John's Road and Ivy Chimneys Road spurs showed fewer than 48,000 combined passages during the same period. Entry to all trails remains free, though the council charges £12 for its guided wellness walks that begin at the Epping Forest Heritage Centre on the first Sunday of every month.
How to start a session this weekend
Park at the free lay-by opposite the Epping Sports Centre and follow the gravel track that veers left after 200 metres; the full loop takes 35 to 45 minutes at a brisk walking pace. For the Ivy Chimneys option, begin at the small car park on the road's northern verge and keep to the left fork at the first junction to stay on the less-used section. Residents report the best conditions between 7 and 9 a.m. before the temperature climbs above 18 degrees. Anyone new to the routes can check the Epping Society noticeboard at the sports centre for the latest surface updates before heading out.