The New Forest is beautiful in the summer sunshine – the purple heather on heathlands, and the mighty oak and beech trees in the woodlands, all look particularly stunning under clear blue skies.
When temperatures soar, it’s important to enjoy your walk safely. Here are a few tips for a pleasurable walk, taking account of the heat and sunshine.
Drink plenty and stay cool
Heat exhaustion or heatstroke becomes a risk during hot weather. Dehydration is caused when your body loses more fluids than you take in.
Signs of dehydration to look out for are feeling thirsty, dark-coloured urine, headaches and feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
Take more water with you than you would on a cool day to take account of fluid lost through sweating in the heat. You could even try a wearable hydration pack to stay hands-free.
Take regular sips of water to avoid getting dehydrated, rather than waiting until you feel thirsty.
Snack foods with a high water content such as strawberries, cucumber and melon will also help you stay hydrated.
There are water refill stations located in most villages in the New Forest and pubs and cafes are happy to top up your water bottle.
You’ll find the nearest water refill points listed for each of our self-guided walk routes on the Essential Information panels.
The Melanoma Fund has a comprehensive guide to sunguarding outdoor recreation.
And there is NHS advice on dealing with heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Time your walk
NHS advice is to avoid exercise in the hottest part of the day – between 11am and 3pm.
Get up early to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the New Forest as the sun rises. Hearing the dawn chorus of birdsong from the forest canopy can be a truly magical experience.
In the cool hours of the morning, spot deer running through the heather as the sun burns off the early-morning mist, or look out for spiders’ webs glistening with dew.
Alternatively, fit in an evening stroll. Enjoy the ‘golden hour’ as the sun sets at view points like Acres Down near Lyndhurst, Ibsley Common or Hatchett Pond near Beaulieu.
Think about what to wear
Light, loose clothing, UV-protection sunglasses and a sun hat with a wide brim will provide some protection from the sun.
Some forest tracks which cut up in winter can become hard and bumpy after prolonged dry weather. Ensure you have sturdy footwear to avoid any trips or twisted ankles.
Another tip for a quick cool down before you start a walk is to put your socks in the fridge before you wear them.
Also, wear suitable clothes to take account of the risk of ticks.
Slap on the sun screen
Slap on high-factor sunscreen to prevent potentially painful and damaging sunburn.
Getting burnt by the sun is not only painful, it can also cause dehydration and can increase your risk of skin cancer.
Advice from Cancer Research UK is to apply sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and 4 or 5 stars. Use it generously, reapply regularly and use it together with shade and clothing.
The sun can be strong enough to can be strong enough to damage skin and cause sunburn from mid-March to mid-October in the UK
Check the UV index for how strong the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are. If it is 3 (moderate) or above, you need to think about protecting your skin.
Seek out shade
The shady ancient and ornamental woodlands of the New Forest are a delight – with the green ferns on the forest floor and dappled sunlight dancing through the leaf canopy of mighty oaks and beech trees.
Pace yourself, chill out in the shade and enjoy your surroundings.
Choose one of our self-guided walks that go primarily through woodlands:
If the weather is particularly hot, try a shorter walk and take plenty of breaks.
Check the weather forecast when planning your walk.
The New Forest Code
Whatever the weather, remember to follow the New Forest Code.
It’s prohibited to feed or pet livestock. They may look hot and bothered, but New Forest ponies will not need extra water or food in the hot weather – they will seek out their own water supply in the forest.
Being given water and having her thirst quenched, may mean a lead mare would not lead her herd to natural water supplies.
Open fires and barbecues are also banned in the forest – be alert to the risk of wildfires in the landscape around you during hot dry spells.
