Every turn on this walk brings a different stunning view. The route encompasses the diverse range of habitats that make up the New Forest – ancient woodland, pristine lowland bogs and open grassland.

Route

From the car park, walk downhill towards the old railway bridge carrying the disused Southampton – Dorchester rail line.

Promoted by a Dorset solicitor, Charles Castleman, the line opened in 1847 and remained in use until the 1960s. Its winding route through the forest meant it became known as ‘Castleman’s Corkscrew’. It is now part of the New Forest Cycle Network and makes for a wonderful walking route across the open heathland and bogs between Brockenhurst and Burley.

 Go under the bridge and follow the gravel path as it crosses a pond at the valley bottom.

 There is a fairly short but steep climb up the track towards Hincheslea Wood. When you reach the pine trees at the top of the hill, pause and take in the views back over Longslade Bottom.

After a short distance, a large stick den is visible through the trees to the left of the path – kids will love playing in it.

Follow the path for 250m through the wood until the junction with another path. Follow the path to the right. After another 150m, turn right on to a wider gravel track which heads downhill alongside a fence on the left surrounding buildings of Farm Cottage.

Further down the hill, you’ll come to another junction with an electrcity pole on the bank to the right. Turn left and follow the path out of the woods and on to the open expanse of Hincheslea Bog. It curves to the right as you pass over a spring with reeds and other bog plants.

The gravel path continues for some 750m, eventually surrounded by gorse bushes as it heads into a small patch of woodland and veers to the right alongside the fence of Cater’s Cottage.

Go past a barrier at Gatehouse Cottage and join the disused railway line on the right, at New Forest cycle marker post 216.

The first stage of the line goes through the Blackhamsley Hill cutting.  An elevated section above the soggy ground then gives you fantastic views over the wetland habitats on either side of the track.

Pass over the railway bridge at cycle marker post 213 and continue for another 800m until you reach the railway bridge close to Longslade Bottom car park. Come down the bank from the bridge at cycle marker post 208 and walk back to the car park alongside the wide area of open grassland.

In Pictures

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