The best walks and hikes around High Ongar

Yes, the area is excellent for circular walks. Many routes start and end in charming villages, allowing you to explore the countryside without backtracking. For a moderate walk that takes in some local history, consider the Muddy Ditch – Chipping Ongar Castle loop from Chipping Ongar, which is about 5.2 miles (8.4 km).

The landscape around High Ongar features gentle, rolling hills rather than steep climbs. Most hikes follow public footpaths across open farmland and through ancient woodlands. The terrain is generally considered easy to moderate, making it accessible for most fitness levels.

Most public footpaths in the Essex countryside are dog-friendly. However, you will likely cross fields with livestock, so it's essential to keep your dog on a lead in these areas. After your walk, you can find several dog-friendly pubs in the surrounding villages.

Definitely. The gentle terrain and numerous shorter routes are ideal for families. For a great day out, you could visit a nearby park like Epping Forest, which has numerous easy trails and visitor centres. Hornchurch Country Park is another popular choice, offering a playground and a café for snacks.

Many walks start from villages like Chipping Ongar or Blackmore, where you can find street parking or small public car parks. For specific routes, checking the start point on the map is the best way to identify nearby parking options. Some popular nature reserves, like Bobbingworth Nature Reserve, also have dedicated parking areas.

The area is rich in history. A must-see is Greensted Church, the oldest wooden church in the world. Many walks also pass the earthworks of the 12th-century Chipping Ongar Castle. A longer walk might take you to the village of Willingale, famous for having two separate churches in the same churchyard.

There is a wide variety of options to explore, with over 230 routes mapped around High Ongar. These range from short, easy strolls of a few miles to more challenging sections of long-distance paths like the Essex Way.

The walking routes around High Ongar are highly regarded by the komoot community, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Hikers often praise the beautiful open views across the farmland, the peaceful ancient woodlands, and the well-maintained public footpaths.

Yes, the Essex Way, an 81-mile long-distance trail, passes through the region. You can walk a section of it near High Ongar to experience some of the county's finest scenery, including tree-lined river valleys and historic villages. The St. Peter's Way also starts in nearby Chipping Ongar.

After rainfall, paths, particularly those across farmland and through woodlands, can become very muddy. It's always a good idea to wear waterproof hiking boots, especially outside of the summer months. Some routes, like the Clark's Spring loop from Chipping Ongar, cross several fields and are best enjoyed with proper footwear.

The rolling hills of the Essex countryside provide lovely open views on most walks. For dedicated nature spots, the Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve is the largest of its kind in Essex and is a haven for wildflowers. The popular Epping Forest also offers a vast area of ancient woodland with varied landscapes and scenic ponds.